Version 2017

Handbook of WMA Policies
R-2007-02-2017 ⏐ World Medical Association
RESOLUTION
IN
SUPPORT OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS
IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Adopted by the 58th
WMA General Assembly, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 2007
and reaffirmed with minor revision by the 207th
WMA Council session, Chicago, United
States, October 2017
There are credible reports that arrangements between the Cuban government and certain
Latin American and Caribbean governments to supply Cuban health workers as physicians
to these countries are bypassing systems, established to protect patients, that have been set
up to verify physicians’ credentials and competence.
The World Medical Association (WMA) is significantly concerned that patients are put at
risk by unregulated medical practices and recalls its Statement on Ethical Guidelines for
the International Migration of Health workers, whereby “Physicians who are working,
either permanently or temporarily, in a country other than their home country should be
treated fairly in relation to other physicians in that country” (Parag.7) and that bilateral
agreements require “due cognizance of international human rights law, so as to effect
meaningful co-operation on health care delivery” (parag. 8).
There exist already duly constituted and legally authorized medical associations within
this region that are charged with the registration of physicians and which should be
consulted by their respective Ministries of Health.
Therefore, the WMA:
1. Condemns any actions by governments in policies and practices that subvert or bypass
the accepted standards of medical credentialing and medical care;
2. Calls upon the governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to work with the
medical associations on all matters related to physician certification and the practice of
medicine and to respect the role and rights of these medical associations and the
autonomy of the medical profession.
3. Urges, as a matter of utmost concern, that the governments in Latin America and the
Caribbean respect the WMA International Code of Medical Ethics, the Declarations of
Madrid on Professionally-led Regulation, and of Seoul on Professional Autonomy and
Clinical Independence as well as the Statement on Ethical Guidelines for the
International Migration of Health workers that guide the medical practice of
physicians all over the world..
R
E
S
C
I
N
D
E
D