WMJ_03_2025

Official Journal of The World Medical Association, Inc. Nr. 3, September 2025
vol. 71
Contents
Editorial   3
Invitation to the 76th WMA General Assembly in Porto, Portugal   4
Universal Health Coverage: Physician Input is Imperative    5
Ensuring Equitable Access and Resilience in European Medicines:
Latvia’s Perspective   7
Interview with National Medical Associations’ Leaders
of the East Mediterranean Region   9
Interview with Global Legal and Bioethics Expert    15
Continuing Medical Education: Embracing Lifelong
Learning for Excellence in Healthcare   17
Protecting Physicians’ Mental Health: A Global Responsibility   20
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals:
A Report on Milestones, Innovative Initiatives, and Systematic Change in Kenya   23
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being 29
Empowering Youth in Global Health Diplomacy:
The Junior Doctors Network at WHA78   57
Youth Leading the Way: Reflections from WHA78
and the Future of Global Health Governance   59
WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS,
CHAIRPERSONS AND OFFICIALS
Dr. Ashok PHILIP
President
Malaysia Medical Association
4th Floor, MMA House,
124 Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Dr. Otmar KLOIBER
Secretary General
World Medical Association
13 chemin du Levant
01212 Ferney-Voltaire
France
Dr. Philippe CATHALA
Chairperson,
Finance and Planning Committee
Conseil National de l’Ordre des
Médecins (CNOM) France
4 rue Léon Jost
75855 Paris Cedex 17
France
Dr. Jacqueline KITULU
President- Elect
Kenya Medical Association
KMA Centre, PO Box 48502,
Chyulu Road, 4th Floor, Upper Hill
Nairobi
Kenya
Dr. Tohru KAKUTA
Vice-Chairperson of Council
Japan Medical Association
113-8621 Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Japan
Dr. Zion HAGAY
Chairperson,
Socio Medical Affairs Committee
Israeli Medical Association
2 Twin Towers, 35 Jabotinsky St.,
P.O. Box 3566
52136 Ramat-Gan
Israel
Dr. Lujain ALQODMANI
Immediate Past President
Kuwait Medical Association
123 Fifth Avenue,
1202
Kuwait
Mr. Rudolf HENKE
Treasurer
German Medical Association
(Bundesärztekammer)
Herbert-Lewin-Platz 1
(Wegelystrasse)
10623 Berlin
Germany
Dr. Jacques de HALLER
Chairperson,
Associate Members
Swiss Medical Association
(Fédération des Médecins Suisses)
Elfenstrasse 18, C.P. 300
3000 Berne 15
Switzerland
Dr. Jack Resneck, Jr.
Chairperson of Council
American Medical Association
AMA Plaza, 330 N. Wabash,
Suite 39300
60611-5885 Chicago, Illinois
United States
Dr. Christofer
LINDHOLM
Chairperson,
Medical Ethics Committee
Swedish Medical Association
(Villagatan 5) P.O. Box 5610
SE – 114 86 Stockholm
Sweden
www.wma.net
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Editor in Chief
Dr. Helena Chapman
Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, United States
editor-in-chief@wma.net
Assistant Editor
Mg. Health. sc. Maira Sudraba-Sangovica
Latvian Medical Association
lma@arstubiedriba.lv, editor-in-chief@wma.net
Journal design by
Erika Lekavica
dizains.el@gmail.com
Publisher
Latvian Medical Association
Skolas Street 3, Riga, Latvia
ISSN 0049-8122
Opinions expressed in this journal – especially those in authored contributions –
do not necessarily reflect WMA policies or positions
3
Editorial
Editorial
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Recent environmental risks have impacted community
health and well-being worldwide, including wildfires in
Canada, Portugal, Spain, and the United States, monsoon
rains in Pakistan, Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic Ocean
and Hurricane Kiko in the Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Kajiki
affecting China and Vietnam, and disease outbreaks (cholera
in Africa, Nipah virus in South Asia, yellow fever in South
America). Addressing these complex challenges will require
the One Health framework (human-animal-environment
nexus) to connect evidence-based data (from satellite-based
remote sensing to in situ measurements) with the development
of relevant policies, clinical guidelines, and community
health interventions. The urgent need to build health system
resilience and reinforce local and national capacity will be
fundamental to ensuring community preparedness and
response and reducing physical and mental health stressors.
Global leaders continue to advance our scientific
understanding of environmental risks (linked to 24% of
global mortality rates) that directly influence health systems.
First, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Health
and Environment Country Scorecards (2024 update) was
published in July 2025, offering a snapshot of eight
environmental risks to health (air pollution; unsafe water,
sanitation and hygiene; climate change; biodiversity loss;
exposure to chemicals; radiation; occupational risks;
healthcare facilities) to help decision-makers identify
priorities and needs. Second, the WHO and World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) published the
Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress report in
August 2025, noting the long-term health and economic
impacts of extreme heat as well as the 2-3% decline in
worker productivity for each degree above 20°C. Third,
the launches of two satellite instruments – NISAR
(NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) on 30 July
2025 and Metop-SGA1 (Metop Second Generation A1)
on 13 August 2025 – will help monitor Earth’s changing
ecosystems (including natural hazards and sea level rise) and
support weather forecasting for research and applications,
respectively.
In this issue, Dr. Ashok Philip emphasised the essential
physicians’ role in promoting universal health coverage.
Dr. Hosams Abu Meri described national efforts in the
Latvia health system to ensure equitable access and
resilience in European medicine. Dr. Mónica Correia
highlighted current bioethical issues across global health
systems as well as the effective use of digital surveillance and
artificial intelligence to protect autonomy and privacy in
medical practice and research. Dr. Carlos Serrano, Jr., and
colleagues supported continuing medical education to
prepare physicians to uphold quality patient care in the
changing healthcare landscape. Finally, Dr. Mehr
Muhammad Adeel Riaz and colleagues recognised the
Junior Doctors Network (JDN)’s valuable contributions to
global health diplomacy and youth engagement for the 78th
World Health Assembly (WHA78).
The World Medical Association (WMA) members, who
represent 115 national medical associations (NMAs),
demonstrate robust leadership and excellence across nations
and geographic regions. WMA leaders prepared eight press
releases that advocate for investing in the health workforce,
protecting health professionals during conflicts, and
highlighting plastic pollution as a public health emergency.
In this issue, WMA members enthusiastically shared the
importance of strengthening mental health and wellness for
the lifespan across health systems. Dr. Tomas Cobo Castro
iterated the need for global responsibility to protect
physicians’ mental health. Dr. Ayda Linda Wanjiku described
national initiatives, milestones, and structural reforms related
to for mental health advocacy in Kenya. Finally, WMA
members representing 20 countries of the African,
Americas, Asian, East Mediterranean, and Pacific regions
articulated their commitment to support mental health
services and national policies, in efforts to commemorate
World Mental Health Day.
Notably, this issue showcased the professional
testimonies of three NMA leaders of the East
Mediterranean region, related to ongoing NMA
priorities and activities and perceived strengths and
challenges in medical education. These accounts are
evidence of physicians’ remarkable achievements and
encountered challenges while seeking to strengthen medical
education and improve healthcare service delivery. This
expertise will certainly help advance discussions on
pressing topics in medical education and ethics at the
76th WMA General Assembly, which will be held from
8-11 October 2025, in Porto, Portugal.
We are overjoyed to connect at the 76th WMA General
Assembly in Porto!
Helena Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor in Chief, World Medical Journal
editor-in-chief@wma.net
4
Dear colleagues,
As members of the World
Medical Association (WMA),
we understand that medicine
knows no borders. Despite
cultural, linguistic, geographical or
ideological differences, physicians
share a unique identity: medicine,
grounded in the universal principles
of ethics, humanism, solidarity, and
the Hippocratic tradition. This
global and inclusive vision is at the
forefront of the Portuguese Medical
Association (Ordem dos Médicos)
(https://ordemdosmedicos.pt/), and
for the first time, we are honored
to host the 76th WMA General
Assembly from 8-11 October 2025,
in the city of Porto.
Although this gathering represents
a scientific and statutory event for
global physicians, it offers a unique
moment to strengthen the bonds
that unite us as a global medical
community, regardless of our
disciplines and geographic regions.
Together, we have the responsibility
to defend human dignity in all its
fullness, promote global solidarity,
protect human rights, and ensure the
universal right to health – even in
situations of conflict or catastrophe.
Medicine is, by its very nature, an
exercise in peace, and physicians, by
their mission, are builders of this
peace. This meeting will provide
an opportunity to reaffirm medical
universalism and our determination
to transcend ideological and political
boundaries, placing life and health
at the center of global priorities.
We live in a time when global
challenges demand coordinated
and effective responses. Whether
facing health crises, conflicts or
wars or inequalities in access to
care, the medical community must
remain faithful to its humanist
vocation, ensuring that all scientific
and technological advances are
subordinate to human well-being,
ethics, and justice. Physicians also
serve as mediators and guardians of
peace, reminding us that health and
dignity must never be held hostage
to conflicts or private interests.
Using “The Impact of Artificial
Intelligence on Medical Practice”
theme, the scientific session will
bring together internationally
renowned experts to highlight
how technologies can help reduce
inequalities, improve access, and
strengthen international cooperation.
The discussion will allow deep
reflection on how to preserve
ethics, empathy, and humanity in
medical practice in the face of
an unprecedented technological
transformation. Although artificial
intelligence opens new possibilities
in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical
management, it demands an
unwavering defense of the doctor-
patient relationship and human
clinical judgment.
At the WMA General Assembly
in Porto, we will reaffirm the unity
of the global medical community
and our commitment to medicine
that serves as an instrument
of hope, solidarity, and human
development. It will serve as a
declaration of principles: health
as an inalienable human right,
defense of life, promotion of peace,
and strengthening of citizens’ trust
worldwide. It will provide a moment
to share experiences, build bridges,
and strengthen networks that
enable us to act in concert when
experiencing common challenges.
Above all, it will be a place to
share our vision for the world and
propose concrete solutions that
foster development, drive progress,
and improve people’s well-being and
happiness.
We count on you to ensure that
this WMA General Assembly is an
unequivocal affirmation of the values
that define us as physicians and
global citizens. Your presence and
participation will be essential for
us to advance together in building
a truly universal, ethical, supportive,
and deeply humanist medicine.
We welcome your visit to Porto!
Portuguese Medical Association
(Ordem dos Médicos)
Porto, Portugal
internacional@ordemdosmedicos.pt
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Invitation to the 76th WMA General Assembly in Porto, Portugal
Invitation to the 76th WMA General Assembly in Porto, Portugal
5
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Universal Health Coverage: Physician Input is Imperative
The human impulse to care for
the sick has been with us before
we were even fully human. At
whatever stage of development
they may be, no human society
leaves the sick untreated. Empathy
and self-interests work together to
ensure that no one is left behind.
As societies become more complex
and populous, giving and receiving
medical care is no longer a matter
of a quick visit to the local shaman.
In our modern world, urbanisation,
population growth, inequality,
changing epidemiological trends,
and social upheaval all challenge the
delivery of healthcare to all.
The World Health Organisation
has ambitious goals for universal
health coverage (UHC), as leaders
envision a world where everyone
can access healthcare serves at
any time or place, without facing
financial distress. Despite initial
progress, achieving UHC worldwide
had stalled during the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic, and it continues to have
a slow recovery to the present
date. For instance, an estimated
25 million children missed routine
vaccinations in 2021 [1]. With rising
vaccine mistrust and rapid spread
of misinformation, global citizens
will feel the short- and long-term
effects on morbidity and mortality
– especially poor and disadvantaged
communities. However, with high
stakes and potential benefits, no one
is abandoning efforts to streamline
UHC worldwide.
Observing the global trend,
the World Medical Association
(WMA) is concerned about the
slowed progress to achieve UHC.
To address this challenge, the
WMA offers a space to bring
doctors together from around the
world to share their problems and
insights, identify any setbacks, and
brainstorm on potential solutions
and breakthroughs. Notably, our
strength lies in our diversity. Since
WMA members work across the
spectrum of healthcare systems –
ranging from the most advanced
technologies to the fewest resources
– this space presents a cross-
fertilization of ideas with collective
dialogue that fosters knowledge
exchange and learning.
At the 75th WMA General
Assembly held in Helsinki, WMA
members heard speakers share
their challenges as well as novel
practical solutions from diverse
healthcare systems. The insightful
dialogue created opportunities to
better understand cultural and
geographical nuances in medical
practice and healthcare policy. As
clinicians, we are accustomed to
devices (e.g. pacemakers, cochlear
implants) and diagnostic tools
(e.g. computed tomography scan,
magnetic resonance imaging,
positron emission tomography scan)
in our medical practice, recognising
that these devices have greatly
improved diagnostic and therapeutic
capabilities. Although costs have
tumbled over the past decade, they
still remain unaffordable for many
patients and countries.
Specifically, the use of advanced
technology in non-traditional
ways can help accelerate progress
to achieving UHC across global
healthcare systems. In 2025, the
number of smartphones in the
world was around 7.4 billion, in
the hands of 5.28 billion users,
representing a ready-to-use channel
connecting providers with users of
healthcare services [2]. For example,
messaging apps can enable doctors
and nurses to speak with patients in
remote areas, deliver medicines via
courier and transport services, and
process payments.
Advanced communications
technology is not enough to achieve
UHC. Hospitals and clinics must
be built in poorly served areas
and equipped properly with the
necessary tools to optimise patient
care. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists,
and other personnel should be
trained, employed, and deployed for
emergency responses or community
mobilisation efforts.
Healthcare decisions are complex
and multifactorial, and deciding
between alternative solutions
is difficult and important for
clinical discussions. Politicians
and bureaucrats seek cost-effective
solutions that can easily be
implemented in healthcare settings.
These are easy to sell to voters and
will not be unpopular at the ballot
box. As doctors, we have to speak
firmly with a united voice against
easy solutions. Replacing doctors
with another health professional
(like “physician assistants”) can
Universal Health Coverage: Physician Input is Imperative
Ashok Philip
6
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reduce healthcare expenditure, but it
will increase expenditure over time,
due to the costs of improper or
inadequate treatment, misdiagnosis,
and delayed diagnosis. These
consequences may be irreversible,
with incalculable costs of premature
illness and death.
Although doctors may be challenged
to play a meaningful role in the
development of health systems, we
owe it to our patients, our profession,
and ourselves. Fortunately, as WMA
members, you have the global
platform and strong support to
make a positive difference in the
medical discipline. All you need to
take one step forward.
References
1. World Health Organization.
COVID-19 pandemic fuels
largest continued backslide in
vaccinations in three decades
[Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Aug
19]. Available from: https://www.
who.int/news/item/15-07-2022-
covid-19-pandemic-fuels-larg-
est-continued-backslide-in-vac-
cinations-in-three-decades
2. Turner A. How many smart-
phones are in the world? (2025)
[Internet]. Bank My Cell. 2025
[cited 2025 Aug 15]. Available
from: https://www.bankmycell.
com/blog/how-many-phones-
are-in-the-world
Ashok Philip, MBBS, MRCP(UK)
President, World Medical Association
Past President, Malaysian
Medical Association
ashokphilip17@gmail.com
Universal Health Coverage: Physician Input is Imperative
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Ensuring Equitable Access and Resilience in European Medicines
The European Union (EU)
today stands at a crossroads of
transformation. As the geopolitical
landscape becomes increasingly
unstable and fragmented, we are
called upon to strengthen not only
our common defense, but also our
healthcare systems.
As Latvia’s Minister for Health,
I firmly believe that Europe
must move decisively toward
self-sufficiency in the supply
of medicines, ensuring equal
and timely access to affordable,
innovative treatments for all its
citizens, regardless of geography
or market size. Because health
in its broadest sense is also a
matter of competitiveness – it is
people who contribute the most
to productivity, efficiency, and
added value. A prevention-based
approach to promote good
health for people is therefore the
cornerstones for improving the EU’s
competitiveness.
We are currently witnessing the
most substantial reform of EU
pharmaceutical legislation in over
two decades. These changes are
not merely technical updates;
they are a long-overdue response
to systemic imbalances that have
deepened over time. The reform
should rebuild a fairer and more
resilient framework for medicine
development, authorisation, and
distribution – one that meets the
patients’ real needs and enhances
the EU’s strategic autonomy.
For smaller countries like Latvia,
access to centrally authorised
medicines remains a persistent
challenge. Today, only around 20%
of medicines authorised through
EU centralised procedures are made
available to patients in Latvia.
These disparities are not only
unjust; they are dangerous. When
market-driven decisions determine
whether a patient in Riga can access
the same life-saving treatment as
one in Berlin or Paris, we risk
undermining one of the EU’s core
values: solidarity. Parallel distribution
is not a solution in a small market,
where administrative costs must be
borne by a small number of packs.
At the same time, across Latvia,
we already act within the limits
of the existing regulation to
provide the maximum regulatory
flexibility for entering the market.
For example, we support labeling
requirements and a balanced
approach to safeguard access to the
medicines brought to our market.
We are committed to further
analyse any hurdles and determine
which challenges can be tackled
domestically and identify those that
require action at the EU level.
The European Commission’s
proposal (‘Pharmaceutical Package’)
takes a significant step forward
in addressing these inequalities.
Latvia supports the European
Commission’s initiative to reduce
the standard regulatory data
protection period, while also
introducing a modulated system
of incentives that rewards
pharmaceutical companies for
actions that promote equity in
access. We support the structure
whereby additional periods
of protection are granted for
launching a product in all Member
States, addressing unmet medical
needs, conducting comparative
clinical trials or developing new
therapeutic indications.
However, while these legislative
steps are commendable, they must
be matched by practical, enfor­
ceable commitments. We advocate
that marketing authorisation holders
be required to submit a written
commitment to supply medicines
in all Member States, upon request
by the relevant national authority.
The ability of Member States to
ensure consistent supply must not
rely on goodwill alone.
The EU must also recognise that
the reimbursement system is not
the only mechanism through
which medicines become available
in Member States. In Latvia,
patients also access medicines
through hospital procurement,
out-of-pocket payment, over-the-
counter availability, and individual
reimbursement decisions. Therefore,
conditions for assessing the
availability of medicines should
be flexible enough to reflect
these national healthcare system
specificities.
Furthermore, we must take decisive
action against the growing threat
of medicine shortages. Latvia
supports provisions enabling
competent authorities to prevent
or mitigate shortages caused by
Ensuring Equitable Access and Resilience in
European Medicines: Latvia’s Perspective
Hosams Abu Meri
8
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parallel trade. Hence, we believe
that these provisions must
become a cornerstone of the new
pharmaceutical framework. Our
patients cannot be placed at the
mercy of market speculation or
regional imbalances in distribution.
Notably, access is only part of the
equation. Considering growing
geopolitical instability, the EU
must build its pharmaceutical
resilience by improving
regulation and strengthening the
physical foundations of supply.
The coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic, followed
by sustained geopolitical tension
in Eastern Europe, has underscored
our over-reliance on a limited
number of global suppliers and
manufacturing hubs. As this
dependence exposes EU citizens to
unacceptable risks – both in crisis
situations and during peacetime
periods – the pharmaceutical
sector is of paramount importance
for the EU.
Healthcare resiliency is inseparable
from European security. The
ability to manufacture essential
medicines within our borders, with
diversified production capacity
across the EU, is no longer
optional – it is a strategic necessity.
We cannot afford to concentrate
solely on large Member States or
Western European regions. Instead,
the EU must foster an inclusive
industrial policy that promotes
pharmaceutical manufacturing in
smaller countries, particularly those
near our Eastern external borders,
such as Latvia.
This is not simply a matter of
equity; it is about reinforcing
the collective preparedness of
the EU. Distributing production
capacity more evenly strengthens
supply chains, reduces the risk of
bottlenecks, and brings economic
and social benefits to regions that
have long been underrepresented
in the pharmaceutical landscape.
Our goal should be to build a
more united and robust European
pharmaceutical system that is
capable of responding to emerging
threats without delay or dependence
on external actors.
To that end, Latvia strongly
supports the proposed Critical
Medicines Act and welcomes
the leadership of the Danish
Presidency of the Council of the
EU in prioritising this legislature.
This initiative will complement
the Pharmaceutical Package and
offer a promising path toward
a more coordinated, EU-wide
response to supply chain
vulnerabilities. As Member States,
we may differ in how we interpret
solutions, but we are united in
recognising the urgency of this
challenge.
We must rise to the occasion not
only with statements of intent,
but also with concrete, enforceable
policies that protect our citizens
and preserve our health systems.
These efforts include building
sufficient stockpiles, ensuring
diversified sourcing of active
pharmaceutical ingredients,
supporting local production
initiatives, and simplifying cross-
border cooperation in times of
crisis.
As discussions advance in the
European Council and beyond,
Latvia stands ready to play an
active role and work closely with
other like-minded small EU
Member States to secure rules
that guarantee fair pricing and
predictable procurement practices.
The proposed joint procurement
mechanisms represent a crucial
step towards improving access
to affordable medicines, and
Latvia strongly urges their swift
implementation together with
the rapid adoption of the Critical
Medicines Act.
Ultimately, our shared ambition
must be to guarantee that no
patient in the EU is left behind.
Whether they live in the heart
of a major metropolis or in a
remote rural area, every citizen
deserves access to high-quality,
affordable, and timely healthcare.
Medicines are not ordinary
consumer goods, but rather
essential components of public
health in times of uncertainty
and of national security. If
we succeed in reforming our
pharmaceutical framework with
fairness, resilience, and solidarity
at its core, then Europe will
not only be stronger in the face
of external threats – it will be
healthier, more united, and better
prepared to protect its most
valuable asset: its people.
Hosams Abu Meri, MD
Minister for Health
of the Republic of Latvia
Riga, Latvia
Ensuring Equitable Access and Resilience in European Medicines
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Interview with National Medical Associations’ Leaders of the East Mediterranean Region
For this interview, Dr. Youssef
Bakhach and Dr. Rym Ghachem
Attia, the Presidents of the national
medical associations (NMAs) of
Lebanon and Tunisia, respectively,
and Dr. Muhammad Ashraf
Nizami, Past President of the
NMA of Pakistan, join the
interview with Dr. Helena
Chapman, the WMJ Editor
in Chief. They share their
perspectives on their leadership
experiences, ongoing NMA
activities, strengths and existing
challenges in medical education,
and how the World Medical
Association (WMA) can support
NMA initiatives in the East
Mediterranean Region.
As you reflect upon your journey
as NMA president, please describe
one memorable experience, one
challenge and how you resolved
the challenge, and one hope for the
future of medicine.
Lebanon: One of the most
memorable experiences during my
tenure was witnessing the collective
resilience and dedication of our
physicians in the aftermath of the
Beirut Port explosion on 4 August
2020. Despite personal losses,
damaged hospitals, and immense
emotional strain, doctors across
Lebanon mobilised with unwavering
commitment to treat more than
7,000 wounded people and provide
emergency care. As a plastic surgeon,
I will never forget standing with my
medical residents in our hospital’s
emergency department, caring for
more than 500 casualties with
minimal supplies and prioritising
critical patients. It was a powerful
reminder of the nobility of our
profession and the strength of our
medical community.
One of our most daunting
challenges has been the massive
brain drain of physicians due to the
economic crisis, unstable national
security, Beirut port explosion,
and the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic. As a
result, the exodus of hundreds of
Lebanese physicians (more
than 35% of all the medical
community) seeking stability and
dignity in their profession, has
threatened to paralyse Lebanon’s
healthcare system. To address this
challenge, the Association advocated
for international support, partnered
with diaspora physicians to create
remote consultation programs and
scientific webinars and congresses,
and worked with private and
public medical funds to improve
working conditions. Notably, these
initiatives have slowed this exodus,
with more than 70% returning
to the country, which has helped
lay the foundation for a more
sustainable approach to physician
retention.
My deepest hope for the future
of medicine in Lebanon is the
rebuilding of trust between
patients and physicians, and
between institutions and the
people they serve. I envision a
healthcare system that is not only
scientifically advanced, but also
rooted in equity, transparency, and
human dignity. With collaboration,
innovation, and the spirit of
service that define our medical
community, I believe that we can
build a resilient system for future
generations.
Pakistan: During my tenure
as President of the Pakistan
Medical Association, one of the
most memorable experiences
was organising the National
Medical Convention during the
COVID-19 pandemic, which
brought together hundreds of
physicians, policymakers, and
public health experts from across
the country. It was a moment
of unity and purpose, where we
collectively addressed the urgent
Interview with National Medical Associations’
Leaders of the East Mediterranean Region
Youssef Bakhach Rym Ghachem Attia Muhammad Ashraf Nizami
10
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needs of healthcare reform and
physician welfare. One significant
challenge was addressing violence
against healthcare professionals, a
growing issue in Pakistan due to
systemic inefficiencies and lack of
patient education. Pakistan Medical
Association leaders responded by
launching a nationwide awareness
campaign, collaborated with
legal authorities and successfully
lobbied for the introduction of
protective legislation for healthcare
professionals. My hope for the
future of medicine is that healthcare
becomes more human-centred
and equitable, driven by ethical
principles, innovation, and global
solidarity.
Tunisia: One memorable experience
is how the Tunisian Medical
Association (Conseil National de
l’Ordre des Médecins, CNOM)
collectively helped organise medical
care tents on the streets of the
capital city (Tunis) during civil
demonstrations against the political
party in power. The unity of our
Association continues to help
advance the quality of healthcare,
guarantee access to healthcare
services for the Tunisian population,
promote ethical medical practices,
and support the training of medical
professionals.
Two specific challenges presented
during our leadership roles within
the Tunisian Medical Association.
First, more than 7,000 medical
residents went on strike in efforts
to advocate for better working
conditions across hospitals in July
2025. Our Association members
helped mediate this tense situation
and effectively avoided further
shutdown of health institutions
across Tunisia. Second, Council
leadership met with medical student
representatives who shared their
concern about medical education
reform, which required physicians
to finish their specialty training
before authorisation to register with
the Tunisian Medical Association.
After our collective discussion,
since we could not ethically deny
membership to physicians, we have
registered recent medical graduates
in the Council, noting that they
were not allowed to practice
medicine without the supervision
of a department chief in a hospital
setting. This revised policy allowed
our Council to remain compliant to
older legislation relating to medical
practice, fair to the physicians
whom we represent, and adaptable
to new regulations. Furthermore, our
Council is working in conjunction
with the Ministry of Health to
alleviate gaps between the new
regulations on medical education
and older legislation on medical
practice, as a way to improve
medical practice for physicians and
patients.
We hope that the future of
medicine will continue to strengthen
the doctor-patient relationship,
since this personal exchange sets
the foundation of humanity and
remains essential in the healing
process. The development of new
technologies and the advent of
artificial intelligence will surely
bring novel changes to medical care
for patients. Hence, we urge doctors
to identify ways to effectively use of
artificial intelligence as a diagnostic
and therapeutic aid as they prioritise
personal exchanges with patients –
all to guarantee quality medical care
for patients.
How would you describe the
current opportunities for NMA
members to help influence
healthcare policy-making activities
in your country?
Lebanon: Despite Lebanon’s
complex and often unstable political
environment, today presents a critical
opportunity for Lebanese physicians
to play a more active and strategic
role in shaping healthcare policy.
Although ongoing health, economic,
and social crises have revealed deep
systemic gaps, they have also opened
doors for physicians to become
key voices in reform. First, the
Lebanese Order of Physicians now
holds stronger visibility in public
discourse, and many governmental
and parliamentary bodies are seeking
input from professional orders (like
our Association), particularly after
the “Health Orders Presidents
Association” (representing 18 orders
and syndicates in health fields) was
established in 2024. Second, there is
a growing recognition that collective
physician advocacy can push for
legislation related to medical liability
reform, insurance reimbursement
fairness, public hospital support, and
physician protections. Physicians can
engage through advocacy campaigns
and policy position papers organised
by the Association.
Third, physicians involved in
clinical research, epidemiology, and
medical education can contribute
directly to evidence-based policy
proposals. The tight collaboration
of the Lebanese Order of
Physicians with the association
of doctors from Lebanese descent
(e.g. American Lebanese Medical
Association, ALMA; Association
Medicale Franco-Libanaise, AMFL)
encourages contributions and
supports research forums and policy
workshops. Finally, since physicians
increasingly use media for traditional
and social purposes to inform the
public, correct misinformation, and
propose reforms, the Association
can provide guidance, support, and
regulations for members who wish
to engage constructively on these
digital platforms.
Pakistan: The opportunity to
influence healthcare policy
Interview with National Medical Associations’ Leaders of the East Mediterranean Region
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development in Pakistan has
expanded significantly over the
past decade. The Pakistan Medical
Association now actively engages
with government ministries,
regulatory bodies, and parliamentary
health committees. Members
contribute to national health
policy formulation, participate
in health advisory panels, and
serve as technical consultants in
public health. Moving ahead, we
recognize that sustained institutional
engagement and evidence-
based advocacy remain essential
to strengthening influence on
healthcare policy development.
Tunisia: The Tunisian Medical
Association can collaborate to
reduce the inequalities that exist
between East Mediterranean
Region countries in terms of access
to care. By advocating for an
egalitarian ethic of access to care,
the Council can advocate for
increased opportunities and hence
reduce the number of caregivers
migrating from low-income
countries to high-income countries.
Also, Council members work in
committees with regional medical
associations to draft policies and
submit them to Parliament and the
Ministry of Health. One example
is the policy on medical
responsibility which was adopted
into law in June 2024. The
Council has also worked with the
National Pharmacist and Dentist
Associations to draft a policy that
would allow physicians to practice
together with pharmacists and
dentists.
How do perceive the physician-
patient relationship and rapport in
the clinical setting in your country?
Lebanon: Physician-patient
relationship and rapport in
Lebanon generally reflect
longstanding cultural expectations
and evolving standards of care in
four ways. First, clinical competence
and reputation matter deeply
in developing robust physician-
patient relationships. Patients tend
to place more trust in physicians
at university hospitals trained in
Western Europe or North America
and recognised with positive
reputations through media, word
of mouth or family endorsement.
Second, empathy, professionalism,
and a kind character are highly
valued traits by Lebanese patients
[1]. Third, since communication
and engagement can shape
satisfaction in clinical settings,
patients often report that they
appreciate doctors who listen
attentively, write clear prescriptions,
manage time well (minimising
wait times), and provide transparent
explanations. Finally, as Lebanese
patients (as similar to Eastern
patients but unlike Western
patients) demand direct and
personal relationships (including
availability) with physicians,
physicians should advocate for
patient education as well as
improved organisation of patient
care to minimise discomfort and
ensure proper care and follow-up.
Pakistan: The physician-patient
relationship in Pakistan is rooted
in deep cultural respect and
trust. However, it is increasingly
strained by overcrowded healthcare
facilities, limited consultation time,
and growing societal impatience.
To preserve this vital relationship,
Pakistan Medical Association
members continue to lead efforts
that reinforce communication
training in medical education, ensure
ethical standards in healthcare
service delivery, and promote public
awareness about shared decision-
making between physicians and
patients.
Tunisia: Since the Tunisian
Revolution (2010-2011), the doctor-
patient ratio in Tunisia has been
deteriorating due to numerous
factors. First, rapid consultations
offer minimal time for doctor-
patient communication, and patients
may not feel satisfied with their care.
Patients frequently review medical
facts on the internet, believing any
information source, and they may
be subject to misinformation or
disinformation. Second, doctors are
frequently challenged with keeping
abreast of new research findings,
yet clinical schedules leave
minimal time to review the
scientific literature. Third,
healthcare costs continue to
increase, although patients can
coordinate appointments with
medical specialists quickly.
How would you describe the
anticipated challenges in medical
education over the next decade in
your country?
Lebanon: Over the next decade,
medical education in Lebanon
will face a combination of long-
standing structural problems and
newer pressures intensified by the
economic, political, and public
health crises. First, the collapse of
the Lebanese pound has eroded
universities’ budgets, reducing
research programs, staff salaries,
and investment in advanced
educational tools and technologies.
Second, since the onset of the
economic crisis, experienced
professors and clinical mentors
have emigrated for better and more
stable opportunities, leaving gaps
in curricula teaching. Educational
affordability has plummeted, due
to tuition hikes and increased
living costs. New medical graduates
seek training opportunities abroad,
draining the system of future
educators and clinical leaders.
Finally, medical schools have not
yet upgraded their curricula to
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incorporate novel technologies,
including artificial intelligence,
robotics, telemedicine, and 3D
printing, ill preparing students
to face the rapid technological
evolution to solve complex medical
risks. However, faculty may
encounter challenges, including
the lack of specific guidelines for
artificial intelligence, insufficient
instructor training, and limited
economic resources.
Pakistan: Over the next decade,
medical education in Pakistan
will face challenges in integrating
digital technology into patient care,
improving faculty training in the
classroom and hospital, and aligning
curricula with global health needs.
Specifically, there is an urgent
need to reinforce interdisciplinary
collaboration in healthcare and
build research capacity on artificial
intelligence and telemedicine
applications. Regulatory frameworks
should evolve to ensure quality,
equity, and accountability across
public and private institutions in the
nation.
Tunisia: For the coming decades,
doctors must adapt to the practical
uses of artificial intelligence in
medical education and clinical
practice. Also, increased costs for
clinical simulations, which allow
skills-building exercises for medical
students, will be substantial for
medical schools.
From the medical education
perspective, how has your NMA
responded to the existing and
emerging health challenges within
your country?
Lebanon: Through multiple
initiatives, the Lebanese Order of
Physicians has been investing in
medical education in order to meet
the health challenges of current
and future health challenges. First,
the Scientific Committee of the
Lebanese Order of Physicians
published practice-relevant content
and disseminated guidance and
themed issues, including the
COVID-19 pandemic and war
management of injuries, offering
local, context-specific educational
resources for clinicians. Second, they
organised annual congresses (e.g.
“Together” 2023–2024) and thematic
days (e.g. “Justice in Practice” 2025),
bringing diaspora and international
experts to Lebanon-an important
up skilling channel amid the brain
drain and fast-moving therapeutics.
Third, scientific societies of the
Lebanese Order of Physicians
endorsed specialty international
guidance and recommendations
(e.g. European Alliance of
Associations for Rheumatology
guidance), supporting learning for
frontline healthcare teams. Finally,
the Lebanese Order of Physicians
collaborated with the Ministry of
Public Health and other national
bodies to strengthen their roles in
public health education and policy
and align medical education with
national priorities (e.g. outbreak
response, tobacco harms), ensuring
that doctors are prepared to meet
health systems’ needs.
Pakistan: The Pakistan Medical
Association has played a proactive
role by organising continuing
medical education programs,
promoting community-based
medical education, and advocating
for curriculum reforms that reflect
local disease burden, including
non-communicable diseases, mental
health, and antimicrobial resistance.
Leaders have supported collaborative
training programs with international
partners to upgrade clinical skills
and public health competencies.
Tunisia: First, the Council has
developed a policy encouraging
medical residents to expand their
practice into the private sector and
public health discipline. Second,
with fewer physicians practicing in
rural areas, the Ministry of Health
responded by creating the “residanat
des regions” category, which
allows physicians more freedom in
pursuing a specialty if they agree
to practice five years in a rural area.
This unprecedented policy required
the Council to monitor physicians
serving rural areas, to ensure that
they upheld their commitment and
expanded medical coverage in their
assigned region.
From your perspective and
national experiences, how has the
COVID-19 pandemic affected
medical education in your country?
Lebanon: The COVID-19 pandemic
had a profound and multi-layered
impact on medical education,
changing how students learned and
revisiting priorities and expectations
of the academic system. Within
weeks of the first lockdown measures
in early 2020, medical students and
faculty quickly adapted to the digital
learning platforms for lectures, case
discussions, and clinical teaching.
This shift was notably difficult for
individuals living outside of the
capital city (Beirut), where many
students and faculty experienced
unstable electricity sources, slow
internet connections, and limited
technology, leading to decreased
engagement and difficulty mastering
their practical skills remotely.
Furthermore, as students’ hospitals
access was restricted to reduce
transmission risk, particularly
in high-risk specialties like
internal medicine and surgery,
it reduced hands-on skill
building in conducting physical
examinations and procedural skills
as well as contributing to bedside
communication and interactions.
Finally, as the pandemic overlapped
Interview with National Medical Associations’ Leaders of the East Mediterranean Region
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with Lebanon’s worsening economic
crisis, the subsequent pandemic
waves significantly affected mental
health, including risk of burnout
and anxiety (e.g. fear of infection,
academic uncertainty, financial
strain). Moving forward, this
experience offered lessons learned
for the development of resilience,
adaptability, and commitment to
community health.
Pakistan: The COVID-19 pandemic
exposed both the vulnerabilities
and resilience of our medical
education system in Pakistan,
emphasising the need for
flexible, technology-driven, and
resilient educational models.
Although traditional teaching in
classrooms and clinical training
was significantly disrupted, many
institutions swiftly transitioned to
virtual learning platforms. However,
we observed that disparities in
digital access created a divide across
cities in Pakistan.
Tunisia: During the COVID-19
pandemic, students received their
academic coursework on the
virtual platform, which hindered
relationship building with their
professors. Also, physicians
experienced the rapid spread of
medical misinformation, which
the Council addressed through
webinars. Also, the Government of
Tunisia nominated the Council to
serve as a permanent member of
the Crisis Unit as well as allowing
a signed agreement for telemedicine
consultations.
How does your NMA leadership
implement the WMA policies in
the organisation?
Lebanon: Although the Lebanese
Order of Physicians has not been
approved as a full member of
the World Medical Association
to date, the Association has
actively incorporated WMA
policies and regulations related
to medical ethics and standards
alignment in their structure.
Despite significant crises since
2019 – like conflict, COVID-19
pandemic, economic inflation,
port explosion, and physician
migration – the Association
has continued to activate the
disciplinary and ethics committees’
for requested (or ad hoc) medical
services and basic care.
Pakistan: The Pakistan Medical
Association disseminate WMA
policies on medical ethics, patient
rights, and public health priorities
through national advocacy, policy
alignment, physician education,
scientific publications, and the
Association’s seminars and
workshops. In fact, the Pakistan
Medical Association’s Ethics
Committee actively references
WMA guidelines in national
deliberations. As members explore
the evidence-based research
and global standards of our
medical discipline, they are
enthusiastic to better understand
how they relate to the Pakistani
context and how national efforts can
increase public awareness.
Tunisia: The National Council
of the Order of Physicians has
adopted the WMA policies
related to violence against medical
personnel and physicians’ mental
health into membership guidelines.
As Council members hold medical
ethics and practice in high
regard, the Council offered a global
forum where national medical
association representatives could
meet and exchange best practices
to support their membership,
especially across the African
continent.
How can the WMA support the
ongoing NMA activities in your
country?
Lebanon: The World Medical
Association could support the
Lebanese Order of Physicians in
several targeted ways, leveraging
its global influence, resources,
and expertise to strengthen the
Association’s activities and address
Lebanon’s current healthcare
challenges. Also, the WMA could
collaborate with members in co-
developing workshops and e-learning
modules on medical ethics, patients’
rights, and confidentiality tailored
for Lebanon’s unique sociocultural
and legal context. Also, the WMA
could provide technical guidance to
review and update the Association’s
Code of Ethics, in alignment with
the latest WMA declarations.
Furthermore, with multiple waves
of physician migrations, the WMA
could develop exchange programs
to build capacity with faculty and
specialists, particularly in critical
medical and surgical fields like
emergency medicine and paediatric
cardiac surgery.
Pakistan: The WMA can support
the Pakistan Medical Association
by facilitating technical exchange
programs, co-developing policy
briefs tailored to regional
health challenges, and providing
platforms for Pakistani physicians
to engage in global forums.
Continued support for capacity
building (e.g. leadership, ethics,
digital health), collaborative
research, and emergency response
preparedness can help strengthen
physicians’ skills training and
improve health system resiliency in
Pakistan.
Tunisia: The WMA can
support the activities of the
National Council of the Order of
Physicians through three main
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areas. First, WMA leaders can
help NMA leaders develop
continuing education for physicians
on medical ethics, patients’ rights,
telemedicine, and public health
topics as well as share best practices
in professional regulation and
ethics. Second, they can offer
technical advice to NMA leaders
regarding the development of
public policies related to medical
practice as well as the integration
of international standards into
NMA policies that help govern
the medical profession. Third,
WMA leaders can join the
NMA and help advocate for the
defense of physicians’ and
patients’ interests in international
forums as well as support the
Council’s positions on sensitive
or urgent ethical issues. They can
facilitate the sharing of tools and
experiences that can help strengthen
oversight and professional
accountability mechanisms in fair
and transparent procedures. Finally,
they can help support our Council
in conducting national health
initiatives (including awareness
campaigns) throughout the year.
Reference
1. Ayoub F, Fares Y, Fares J. The
psychological attitude of patients
toward health practitioners in
Lebanon. N Am J Med Sci.
2015;7(10):452-8.
Authors
Youssef Bakhach, MD
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Associate Professor in Clinical Surgery,
American University of
Beirut Medical Center
President, Lebanese Order of Physicians
Beirut, Lebanon
yb11@aub.edu.lb
Rym Ghachem Attia, MD
President, Tunisian Medical
Association (Conseil National de
l’Ordre des Médecins, CNOM)
Tunis, Tunisia
ghachemr1964@gmail.com
Muhammad Ashraf Nizami,
MD, PhD
Past President, Pakistan
Medical Association
Lahore, Pakistan
profashrafnizami@gmail.com
Interview with National Medical Associations’ Leaders of the East Mediterranean Region
15
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Interview with Global Legal and Bioethics Expert
Dr. Mónica Correia joins the
interview with Maira Sudraba-
Sangoviča, the WMJ Assistant
Editor. As a legal and bioethics
expert, with additional training
in public administration,
economics, urban planning, and
environmental law, her research
has focused on health data
protection. Notably, she served as
the legal advisor to the Council
of Portuguese Medical Schools
from 2019 to 2023, and currently
heads the Department of Biolaw
of the International Chair in
Bioethics.
Question 1: Which five bioethical
issues do you believe are the most
pressing across global health
systems today?
Allow me to start with a general
reflection. The significant challenges
for bioethics today revolve around
three areas. The first is artificial
intelligence, which is reshaping
not only medicine, but society as a
whole. The second is One Health,
which reminds us that human health
cannot be separated from animal
health and the environment, and
that ethical frameworks must evolve
to embrace this interconnection.
The third is regulation because
only with robust, forward-looking
legal frameworks can we ensure that
new technologies serve humanity,
that is, serve the public good while
respecting fundamental rights.
We must search for responsible
and sustainable solutions at this
intersection; between bioethics and
law, we find biolaw.
Having said that, first, fair access
to healthcare is essential because,
worldwide, too many people are
still excluded, undermining fairness.
Second, protecting health data and
privacy is central in the digital
age. Third, the responsible use of
artificial intelligence (AI) is at
the forefront. We must embrace
innovation with transparency,
accountability, and equity. Fourth, we
need stronger ethical frameworks to
ensure rapid, just, and proportionate
responses for global health
emergencies. And finally, protecting
patients’ autonomy is key in this
new digital environment. Informed
consent must remain significant,
even when complex technologies
and data flows cross borders.
Question 2: Can you describe
three bioethics lessons learned
during the COVID-19 pandemic
that prompt the need to improve
healthcare practice and right to
data privacy?
Yes, three stand out for me. First,
transparency: honesty and openness
about risks and decisions are key
to building trust. Second, data
minimisation: during a crisis,
we should collect only what is
strictly necessary to reduce risks
and prevent misuse. And third,
solidarity: emergency measures
(like digital contact tracing) must
be proportionate, time-limited, and
respectful of dignity. Our Acta
Bioethica article entitled, “The Right
to Be Forgotten and COVID-19:
Privacy versus Public Interest,”
presents the stance that utilitarian
approaches cannot be strictly applied
[1]. Protecting the public interest is
vital but cannot come at the cost
of eroding fundamental rights such
as privacy. If public health is placed
above all else without limits, we risk
normalising exceptional measures
and undermining the ethical
foundations of healthcare.
Question 3: How do you define
digital surveillance, and what
are the strengths and limitations
related to expanding its application
in medical practice and research?
I see digital surveillance as
dataveillance, which means using
digital technologies to collect
and analyse any data, either
private or public domain. In
health, digital surveillance plays a
significant role in tracking diseases,
detecting outbreaks, and guiding
interventions. Its strengths are clear:
it gives us speed, evidence, and
real-time monitoring. But the risks
are equally real: overreach, erosion
of privacy and even identity, and
possible misuse. That is why strong
governance and regulation based on
ethical safeguards are essential.
Question 4: How can physicians
lead efforts to effectively use
artificial intelligence in clinical
practice while striving to safeguard
autonomy and privacy?
Physicians can lead by example.
They can insist on transparency
and explainability in AI tools.
They can keep learning, so they
understand both the benefits
Interview with Global Legal and Bioethics Expert
Mónica Correia
16
BACK TO CONTENTS
and the risks. They can involve
patients in the conversation,
ensuring that consent reflects how
technology is used. They can also
work with other professionals to
ensure privacy is built into new
systems by default. We now see
the beginnings of regulation in
this field. The European Union’s
AI Act is a pioneering example of
how to set standards for reliable
and trustworthy AI. It takes a
risk-based approach and highlights
accountability, transparency, and
human oversight. Such regulation
is essential to build innovative,
safe, fair, and respectful systems of
patients’ rights.
Question 5: Over the past few
years, you have contributed to
successfully coordinating the
World Conferences on Bioethics,
Medical Ethics, and Health
Law. How does this global event
drive innovation, encourage
collaboration, and expand
professional networking, and how
can WMA members become more
involved in conference sessions?
These scientific conferences are
unique because they unite people
from different regions, professions,
and academic backgrounds. This
mix of perspectives sparks
innovation, so ideas travel, adapt,
and expand. They also create lasting
partnerships, giving early-career
professionals a chance to learn
and have a voice. Above all, they
promote the development of a
genuinely global bioethics that
recognises diversity and builds
on shared values and everyday
challenges. These conferences are
an ideal forum for WMA members
to engage actively, particularly on
medical ethics and civil liability
issues. Medical practitioners can
use these sessions to discuss the
ethical and legal dimensions of civil
responsibility, share experiences,
compare legal frameworks, and
develop practical approaches
to challenges they face in daily
practice. Members can propose
panels, lead workshops, or share
case studies. In short, it is an
exceptional opportunity to connect
ethical principles with the realities
of clinical work while building
professional networks across the
globe.
Question 6: With technological
advancements and globalisation,
how do you envision the future of
medical research and the need to
protect data and privacy?
Looking ahead, the future of
medical research will undoubtedly
be more data-driven, collaborative,
and global. We are already seeing
enormous changes through
genomics, neuroscience, reproductive
technologies, AI, and big data
analytics. However, these advances
also bring complex ethical and
legal questions that traditional
frameworks struggle to address.
As part of the answer to these
significant challenges, biolaw is a
new academic label and a necessary
response to the increasingly complex
relationship between biomedicine,
law, and ethics. It is the law
shaped by ethics, grounded in the
biomedical phenomenon. Ethics
here is not an afterthought; rather,
it is the bridge. Without thoughtful
ethical reflection, drawing a direct
line from “bios” to law would be
impossible and undesirable.
What makes biolaw so urgent and
transformative is precisely this
intersection: it creates space for
open, interdisciplinary frameworks,
grounded in shared human values.
If the future of bioethics requires
new tools, alliances, and approaches,
then biolaw offers one such
framework. As such, we must
ensure robust and harmonised
protections for privacy, trustworthy
infrastructures, and strong
international cooperation, and we
must always place patients’ rights
and human dignity at the centre
of solutions. Only by combining
these elements can we ensure
that innovation in medicine truly
serves humanity.
Reference
1. Correia M, Rego G, Nunes
R. The right to be forgotten
and COVID-19: privacy versus
public interest. Acta Bioethica.
2021;27(1):59-67.
Mónica Correia,
LLM (equiv.), PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor,
RISE-Health Researcher &
Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Porto
Porto, Portugal
mcorreia@med.up.pt
Interview with Global Legal and Bioethics Expert
17
Embracing Lifelong Learning for Excellence in Healthcare
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Continuing Medical Education: Embracing Lifelong
Learning for Excellence in Healthcare
The medical profession is
characterised by continuous
advancements in knowledge,
technology, and patient care
practices. To keep pace with these
changes, physicians must engage
in ongoing education beyond their
initial training [1]. Continuing
Medical Education (CME) provides
structured learning opportunities
that enable healthcare professionals
to update their skills, knowledge,
and competencies [2]. The concept
of lifelong learning is integral to
CME, emphasising the need for
continuous professional development
to ensure optimal patient outcomes
and uphold the standards of medical
practice [3].
The Evolution of CME
Historically, CME was informal,
relying on peer discussions, journal
readings, and attendance at medical
conferences. Over time, the need for
structured and standardised CME
became evident, leading to the
establishment of accrediting bodies
and formal CME programs. In the
United States, the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical
Education (ACCME) was founded
to oversee and accredit CME
activities, ensuring that they meet
specific educational standards [4].
Similarly, several European countries
have developed their own CME
accreditation systems to maintain
the quality and relevance of medical
education [5].
Lifelong Learning: An Ethical
Imperative
Lifelong learning is not merely
a professional requirement, but
also an ethical obligation for
physicians. The World Medical
Association (WMA) emphasises
that “medical education must be a
lifelong process” and that physicians
have a responsibility to maintain
and develop their professional
knowledge and skills throughout
their careers. This commitment
ensures that physicians can provide
the highest standard of care, adapt
to new medical advancements, and
meet the evolving needs of patients
and society [6].
Global Perspectives on CME
CME practices vary globally,
reflecting differences in healthcare
systems, regulatory frameworks, and
cultural contexts. In Canada, the
Royal College of Physicians and
Surgeons mandates a Maintenance
of Certification (MOC) program,
requiring physicians to engage
in continuous professional
development activities. In the
United Kingdom, the General
Medical Council (GMC) requires
doctors to participate in Continuing
Carlos V. Serrano Jr. Luciana D. Bichuette Fernando S. Tallo
José Eduardo L. Dolci Cesar E. Fernandes
18
Embracing Lifelong Learning for Excellence in Healthcare
BACK TO CONTENTS
Professional Development (CPD)
as part of their revalidation process.
These initiatives underscore the
global recognition of CME as
essential for maintaining medical
competence and ensuring patient
safety [7].
Innovations in CME Delivery
Technological advancements using
online learning platforms have
transformed the delivery of CME,
as a more accessible and flexible
approach. Physicians can engage
in CME activities by viewing
webinars and virtual simulations
on their computer or smartphone
at their convenience, overcoming
geographical and time constraints.
The coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic further
accelerated the adoption of digital
CME, highlighting the importance
of adaptable and resilient educational
models. Moreover, the integration
of data analytics and personalised
learning pathways has the potential
to tailor CME experiences to
individual learning needs, thereby
enhancing engagement and
knowledge retention.
Despite its importance, professional
organisations have highlighted
several challenges in maintaining
the relevance, accessibility, and
measurable impact of CME on
physicians’ professional development.
First, physicians have demanding
clinical responsibilities that may
hinder their active engagement
and morale to complete CME
requirements. Second, the
preparation of CME content may
lag behind the rapid production of
emerging evidence-based scientific
research. Similarly, the rapid pace
of medical innovation demands agile
CME systems that can incorporate
novel knowledge and technologies
in real time. Third, although CME
evaluations can help measure
the impact of CME on clinical
performance and patient outcomes,
design and implementation
approaches are complex [8].
Fourth, broadband internet and
socioeconomic disparities, especially
in low-resource settings, can affect
physicians’ access and availability
to CME resources. Collaborative
efforts among institutions,
accrediting bodies, and information
technology platforms are essential to
address these barriers and optimise
the effectiveness of CME.
Recommended Strategies for
Supporting CME
Several strategies can be employed
to enhance how physicians can
access and apply content presented
in CME programs in clinical
practice. For example, tailoring
CME activities to individual
learning needs and practice areas
can energise physicians to seek
academic opportunities that help
them maintain clinical knowledge
and skills [4]. Incorporating case-
based discussions, simulations, and
hands-on workshops can improve
physicians’ knowledge retention and
application through interactive and
experiential learning techniques
[9]. Also, encouraging self-
assessment and reflective practices
can help foster deeper learning and
professional growth. Furthermore,
facilitating peer-to-peer learning and
interdisciplinary collaboration can
enrich the educational experience.
Importantly, aligning CME
initiatives with institutional goals
and quality improvement efforts can
ensure that educational activities
translate into tangible improvements
in patient care.
Accreditation bodies play a vital
role in maintaining the quality
and integrity of CME programs.
By setting standards for content,
delivery, and evaluation, these
organisations ensure that CME
activities are educationally sound
and free from commercial bias.
Regulatory frameworks mandate
CME participation for licensure
renewal, reinforcing its importance
in professional practice [10]. Also,
ongoing oversight and periodic
review by accrediting organisations
help drive continuous improvement,
ensuring that CME evolves in
response to emerging clinical
evidence and educational best
practices.
The future of CME lies in
embracing innovative educational
models and technologies. The
Master Adaptive Learner (MAL)
framework, for instance, emphasises
self-directed learning, adaptability,
and continuous improvement.
Integrating artificial intelligence,
virtual reality, and data analytics
can further personalise and
enhance the CME experience.
Moreover, fostering a culture of
lifelong learning within healthcare
institutions can support physicians
in their ongoing professional
development [11].
Conclusion
CME is fundamental to the medical
profession, ensuring that physicians
remain competent, ethical, and
responsive to the changing landscape
of healthcare. By embracing lifelong
learning, physicians can uphold the
highest standards of patient care
and contribute to the advancement
of medicine [12]. As the WMA
asserts, the commitment to
continuous education is not only a
professional duty, but also a moral
imperative. Fostering a culture that
values and supports CME at both
individual and institutional levels is
essential to sustaining excellence and
innovation in healthcare delivery.
19
Embracing Lifelong Learning for Excellence in Healthcare
BACK TO CONTENTS
References
1. World Medical Association.
Continuing Medical Education
[Internet]. 2006 [cited 2025 Jun
1]. Available from: https://www.
wma.net/policy-tags/continu-
ing-medical-education/
2. ZareiM,MojarrabS,BazrafkanL,
Shokrpour N. The role of contin-
uing medical education programs
in promoting Iranian nurses,
competency toward non-commu-
nicable diseases, a qualitative con-
tent analysis study. BMC Med
Educ. 2022;22(1):731.
3. World Medical Association.
WMA Declaration on Guide-
lines for Continuous Quality
Improvement in Health Care
[Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025
Jun 1]. Available from: https://
www.wma.net/policies-post/
wma-declaration-on-guide-
lines-for-continuous-quality-im-
provement-in-health-care/
4. Forsetlund L,Bjørndal A,Rashid-
ian A, Jamtvedt G, O’Brien MA,
Wolf F, et al. Continuing edu-
cation meetings and workshops:
effects on professional prac-
tice and health care outcomes.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2009;2009(2):CD003030.
5. Sherman L, Halila H, Chap-
pell K. An overview of con-
tinuing medical education/
continuing professional develop-
ment systems in Europe: a mixed
methods assessment. J CME.
2024;13(1):2435731.
6. World Medical Association.
Medical Education [Internet].
2017 [cited 2025 Jun 1]. Availa-
ble from: https://www.wma.net/
policy-tags/medical-education/
7. Horsley T, Lockyer J, Cogo E,
Zeiter J, Bursey F, Campbell C.
National programmes for validat-
ing physician competence and fit-
ness for practice: a scoping review.
BMJ Open. 2016;6(4):e010368.
8. Cervero RM, Gaines JK. The
impact of CME on physician
performance and patient health
outcomes: an updated synthesis of
systematic reviews.J Contin Educ
Health Prof. 2015;35(2):131-8.
9. Mukurunge E, Reid M, Fichardt
A, Nel M. Interactive workshops
as a learning and teaching meth-
od for primary healthcare nurses.
Health SA. 2021;26:1643.
10. Balmer JT. The transformation
of continuing medical education
(CME) in the United States. Adv
Med Educ Pract. 2013;4:171-82.
11. Jayas A, Andriole DA, Grbic D,
Hu X, Dill M, Howley LD. Phy-
sicians’ continuing medical edu-
cation activities and satisfaction
with their ability to stay current in
medical information and practice:
a cross-sectional study. Health Sci
Rep. 2023;6(2):e1110.
12. Bellemare S, Lefebvre G, Sofia
VA. Evolving, not maintaining:
embracing the dynamic nature of
physician competence. Can Med
Educ J. 2024;15(4):136-7.
Authors
Carlos V. Serrano Jr., MD
Director of International Relations,
Brazilian MedicalAssociation (AMB)
São Paulo, Brazil
rinternacional@amb.org.br
Luciana D. Bichuette, MD
Invited Observer,
Brazilian Medical Association (AMB)
São Paulo, Brazil
Lucianadornfeldb@hotmail.com
Fernando S.Tallo, MD
Second Treasurer,
Brazilian Medical Association (AMB)
São Paulo, Brazil
segundotesoureiro@amb.org.br
José Eduardo L. Dolci, MD
Scientific Director,
Brazilian Medical Association (AMB)
São Paulo, Brazil
diretorcientifico@amb.org.br
Cesar E. Fernandes, MD
President,
Brazilian Medical Association (AMB)
São Paulo, Brazil
presidencia.cesar@amb.org.br
20
Protecting Physicians’ Mental Health
BACK TO CONTENTS
The mental health of physicians
is increasingly recognised as a
fundamental determinant of
healthcare quality, patient safety, and
system sustainability. Physicians are
frequently exposed to high-stress
environments, excessive workloads,
moral distress, and emotionally
demanding clinical decisions –
conditions that heighten the risk
of anxiety, depression, burnout,
substance use, and suicidal ideation
[1,2]. These challenges not only
compromise individual well-
being, but also threaten clinical
performance, staff retention, and
ultimately health system resiliency
[1]. Since the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the
urgency of mental health prevention
and support has become even
more evident across health systems.
Addressing physicians’ mental health
is therefore not only a clinical
necessity – it is an ethical imperative
[3].
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), a
significant proportion of healthcare
professionals globally experience
mental health symptoms, with
increased prevalence of anxiety,
depression, burnout, and sleep
disorders during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic [1]. These
effects persist, with many physicians
continuing to work under unsafe
or unsupportive conditions, often
without adequate access to care. The
resulting absenteeism, presenteeism,
and premature exit from the
profession and can endanger
healthcare continuity and quality
[4].
Occupational risk factors–including
long working hours, job insecurity,
lack of control, and hostile work
environments–are recognised as
determinants of physicians’ mental
health, not merely correlated factors
[1,2,5]. Since these stressors are
influenced by structural factors
(not just individual behaviours),
understanding workplace policies
related to organisational culture and
employee safety as well as access
to resources such as compensation
and training programs will be
important to promote physicians’
physical and mental health and
well-being. Therefore, interventions
must target systemic transformation
by advocating for safer workplaces,
appropriate staffing levels,
supportive leadership, and access to
confidential, stigma-free care [6].
Despite the scale of the challenge,
evidence-based interventions to
support physicians’ mental health
already exist and span the full
continuum of care. Preventive
strategies and well-being initiatives
such as peer support systems,
burnout prevention programs,
and leadership training have
shown positive effects [7,8].
When mental disorders emerge,
dedicated treatment programs led by
professional bodies and healthcare
systems provide confidential,
specialised care tailored to the needs
of healthcare professionals [9].
These approaches demonstrate that
trusted, profession-specific responses
are both feasible and essential when
embedded in supportive institutional
frameworks.
Global organisations have marked
noteworthy steps to actively support
policy and advocacy efforts across
nations. First, the WHO published
the Comprehensive Mental Health
Action Plan 2013–2030 in 2021, as
a framework to strengthen mental
health worldwide through four
strategic objectives: 1) leadership
and governance; 2) provision of
comprehensive, integrated services;
3) promotion and prevention; and
4) reinforced information systems
and research [10]. Second, the
WHO launched the Our Duty of
Care report in 2022, as a global
call to action to protect the mental
health of healthcare professionals,
urging governments and institutions
to ensure access to mental health
services, address occupational risk
factors, and invest in safe and
supportive work environments
[1]. Finally, the World Medical
Association (WMA) Statement
on Epidemics and Pandemics,
adopted in 2024, further reaffirmed
the need to prioritise physicians’
mental health, as part of health
system resilience and emergency
preparedness [11].
Recommendations
Over the past decade, international
health bodies (e.g. WHO),
professional organisations (e.g.
WMA), and national medical
organisations have actively
Protecting Physicians’ Mental Health: A Global Responsibility
Tomas Cobo Castro
21
BACK TO CONTENTS
contributed to global discourse
on mental health challenges and
shared practical lessons from clinical
practice. As a call to action, their
consensus incorporates five priorities
that point toward a coherent and
actionable global response:
• Promote structural reforms in
working conditions. Health
institutions must address the
root causes of distress, including
excessive work hours, exposure
to violence, lack of workforce
planning, authoritarian workplace
dynamics, and lack of job security.
Policy frameworks should
ensure adequate rest, autonomy,
and protection from workplace
harassment [1,6].
• Develop and scale-up tailored
mental health programs.
Governments and professional
associations should co-develop
programs offering confidential,
evidence-based treatment for
physicians living with mental
health problems. Reintegration
support and occupational
adaptations must be core
components of the program
framework [8,9].
• Combat stigma. Programs should
involve physicians (who have
experienced stigma) in outreach
and mentoring roles, which can
help normalise help-seeking,
reduce stigma, and foster a culture
of solidarity [3,4].
• Ensure inclusive governance and
participation. Physicians with
lived experience of mental health
challenges should be invited to
contribute in the development of
policies and decisions that affect
the medical community, ensuring
relevance and fairness [12].
• Invest in systems, workforce,
and research. Monitoring
progress and sharing best
practices requires robust data
collection, evaluation tools, and
international cooperation. These
efforts must be supported by
sustained investment in mental
health research and improvements
to working conditions, staffing,
and institutional capacity [1,6,7].
As physicians’ mental health and
well-being is a global priority,
a comprehensive, system-based
approach must address working
conditions, team dynamics, and
organisational culture that support
the four strategic objectives of
the Comprehensive Mental Health
Action Plan 2013–2030. Identifying
community and institutional
resources for physicians to seek
mental health care services, while
ensuring confidentiality, can offer a
path to reducing stigma, promoting
self-care, and strengthening
work and personal relationships.
Protecting physicians’ mental health
is not only a matter of ethics – it
is a requisite for building resilient,
high-quality healthcare systems
capable of withstanding future
challenges.
References
1. World Health Organization. Our
duty of care: a global call to ac-
tion to protect the mental health
of health and care workers. Gene-
va: WHO; 2022. Available from:
https://www.who.int/publica-
tions/m/item/wish_report
2. West CP, Dyrbye LN, Shanafelt
TD. Physician burnout: contribu-
tors, consequences and solutions.
J Intern Med. 2018;283(6):516-
29.
3. World Medical Association.
WMA Statement on Physicians’
Well-Being [Internet]. 2015
[cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available
from: https://www.wma.net/pol-
icies-post/wma-statement-on-
physicians-well-being/
4. Shanafelt TD, Boone S, Tan L,
Dyrbye LN, Sotile W, Satele D,
et al. Burnout and satisfaction
with work-life balance among US
physicians relative to the general
US population. Arch Intern Med.
2012;172(18):1377-85.
5. Rugulies R, Aust B, Greiner
BA, Arensman E, Kawakami N,
LaMontagne A, et al. Work-re-
lated causes of mental health con-
ditions and interventions for their
improvement in workplaces. Lan-
cet. 2023;402(10410):1368-81.
6. World Health Organization, In-
ternational Labour Organization.
Caring for those who care: guide
for the development and imple-
mentation of occupational health
and safety programmes for health
workers. Geneva: WHO/ILO;
2022. Available from: https://
www.who.int/publications/i/
item/9789240040779
7. Mihailescu M, Neiterman E. A
scoping review of the literature
on the current mental health
status of physicians and phy-
sicians-in-training in North
America. BMC Public Health.
2019;19(1):1363.
8. Horne IMT, Veggeland F, Bååthe
F, Isaksson Rø K. Why do doc-
tors seek peer support? A qualita-
tive interview study. BMJ Open.
2021;11(10):e048732.
Protecting Physicians’ Mental Health
22
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9. Huerta Blanco JR. Programa
de Atención Integral al Médico
Enfermo (PAIME): modelo de
atención y prevención del CG-
COM. Madrid: Fundación para
la Protección Social de la OMC;
2019. Spanish.
10. World Health Organization.
Comprehensive mental health
action plan 2013–2030. Gene-
va: WHO; 2021. Available from:
https://www.who.int/publica-
tions/i/item/9789240031029
11. World Medical Association.
WMA Statement on Epidemics
and Pandemics [Internet]. 2024
[cited 27 Jun 2025]. Available
from: https://www.wma.net/poli-
cies-post/wma-statement-on-ep-
idemics-and-pandemics/
12. World Health Organization.
Guidance on community men-
tal health services: promoting
person-centred and rights-based
approaches. Geneva: WHO;
2021. Available from: https://
www.who.int/publications/i/
item/9789240025707
Tomás Cobo Castro, MD
President, Organización Médica
Colegial (OMC) de España (Spanish
General Medical Council)
Madrid, Spain
internacional@cgcom.es
Protecting Physicians’ Mental Health: A Global Responsibility
23
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Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals in Kenya
Kenya’s mental health landscape
is undergoing a profound
transformation marked by increasing
political will, growing public
awareness and bold policy reforms,
and the nation is relentlessly
shifting mental health from
the margins to the mainstream
of public health discourse. Yet,
this progress unfolds against a
backdrop of critical workforce
shortages with approximately 150
registered psychiatrists serving a
population exceeding 50 million.
The psychiatrist-to-population ratio
stands at about 0.19 per 100,000
people, far below the World Health
Organization’s recommended
minimum of 1 per 10,000 people
[1]. This shortage, which is
compounded by the emigration of
trained professionals and limited
mental health training in medical
education, highlights a significant
disparity in access to care and its
equitable distribution, especially
for the rural and underserved
populations [2].
In response, the Kenyan government
has initiated policy reforms, notably
the Kenya Mental Health Policy
2015–2030, aiming to integrate
mental health services into
primary healthcare and promote
community-based care [3]. This
policy was supported by the Mental
Health (Amendment) Act of 2022
that was signed into law in June
2022, marking a significant policy
milestone, that anchored the right
to mental health care and calling for
the decentralisation of services [4].
It introduced a human rights based,
inclusive, and community-oriented
framework for the promotion,
prevention and treatment of mental
health conditions across the country.
While legislative milestones signal
progress, major implementation
gaps persist, most notably limited
infrastructure, and pervasive stigma
that further hampers access to care,
leading many individuals to seek
help from traditional healers or avoid
treatment altogether [5]. Efforts to
combat stigma include developing
public awareness campaigns and
decriminalising attempted suicide, a
move that aligns with constitutional
rights to health and dignity [6].
Despite these challenges, there
is a growing recognition of the
importance of mental health in
Kenya, with increased advocacy
and policy attention, continued
investment in infrastructure and
workforce development, as well as
public education as essential steps
to improve mental health outcomes
nationwide.
In the high-stakes corridors of
Kenyan healthcare, physicians often
stand as pillars of strength to heal,
lead, and serve with resilience,
yet beneath the white coats and
clinical expertise lie a mounting
and often invisible crisis: physicians’
mental health. For far too long,
the emotional well-being of those
entrusted with saving lives has
been overlooked, normalised under
the weight of long hours, intense
pressure, and a culture that equates
vulnerability with weakness. From
increased reports of burnout,
depression, and anxiety, to tragic
cases of suicide among healthcare
professionals, the urgency is no
longer silent. According to the
2023 Kenya Medical Practitioners,
Pharmacists and Dentists Union
(KMPDU) workforce report,
Kenyan physicians work under
significant strain, with burnout rates
nearing 60%, and data continue to
reveal a troubling landscape where
one in every three Kenyan doctors
consider leaving the profession with
access to mental health support
remaining limited or stigmatised
[7].
Recent years have seen a welcome
shift, and Kenya is witnessing a
growing awakening to the mental
health realities faced by its medical
workforce. With strengthened
multisectoral collaboration and
strategic investment, Kenya is well
positioned to model scalable rights-
based, inclusive and integrated
mental health systems in the
region. This report captures a
pivotal moment and chronicles the
groundbreaking milestones, bold
initiatives, and structural reforms
that are redefining mental health
advocacy for physicians in Kenya
championed by voices within the
profession itself.
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical
Professionals: A Report on Milestones, Innovative
Initiatives, and Systematic Change in Kenya
Ayda Linda Wanjiku
24
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Kenya Medical Association’s
Physician Well-being Committee:
Leading from Within
Across the globe, conversations
around physician mental health
are gaining urgency and in Kenya,
this shift is intentional, strategic,
and is picking up pace in fueling
widespread engagement across
institutions and policy frameworks.
At the forefront of this revolution
is the Kenya Medical Association
(KMA)’s Physician Well-being
Committee which is an innovative
arm that is boldly reshaping the
narrative around wellness in the
medical profession. Rather than
treating physician burnout and
distress as isolated occurrences,
the committee has framed “mental
wellness” as a leadership priority
and an ethical responsibility. By
influencing policy engagement,
amplifying voices of advocacy and
championing dynamic programming,
it is actively dismantling harmful
norms that have long equated self-
neglect with professionalism. From
nationwide digital campaigns to
intimate wellness conversations
and institutional reforms, the
committee is creating structures of
psychological safety and support
for doctors across all cadres. The
Committee affirms that doctors
deserve the same empathy and care
they extend to their patients. These
steps help normalise vulnerability
and lay the groundwork for a more
humane, sustainable, and responsive
healthcare culture, where the
healer’s well-being is recognised as
foundational to the health of the
nation.
The 2024 Breakthrough Mental
Health Campaign
Throughout October 2024, in
alignment with World Mental
Health Day, the KMA’s Physician
Well-being Committee launched
an ambitious, high-impact 30-day
digital campaign across all major
social media platforms. Each post
delivered precise, poignant, and
deeply relatable messages aimed
at normalising conversations
around workplace mental health
and urging physicians to prioritise
their emotional and psychological
well-being. The campaign’s bold,
authentic tone resonated widely,
garnering shares from national
institutions, hospitals, and healthcare
leaders, and igniting conversations
across both professional and public
spaces. It marked a powerful
cultural shift: a collective declaration
that the well-being of healthcare
professionals could no longer be
sidelined.
Building on this momentum, the
Committee curated and hosted a
comprehensive three-month Mental
Health webinar series from October
to December 2024, drawing
participation from across the country
and the region. The sessions tackled
urgent and often unspoken realities
in the healthcare environment with
eleven themes: 1) Consistent mental
health support at the workplace; 2)
Addressing bullying and toxic work
environments; 3) Nexus between
work culture and mental health; 4)
Role of leadership in promoting
mental health; 5) Psychosocial
hazards in the health sector; 6)
Physician, heal thyself; 7) Substance
use disorders in medical practice; 8)
Physical fitness and mental health;
9) Addressing mental health stigma
amongst medical practitioners;
10) Cognitive restructuring for
resilience; and 11) How music
supports mental health. Each
webinar featured leading voices
in psychiatry, occupational health,
organisational leadership, and lived
experience experts creating a safe
and intellectually stimulating
space for personal reflection
and professional development.
Participants reported feeling
validated, seen, and more equipped
to navigate mental health challenges
of their practice, many describing
the series as “transformative,”
with ripple effects extending into
workplace cultures, team dynamics,
and personal coping strategies.
Importantly, the campaign catalysed
action where several hospitals
and professional bodies initiated
their own wellness-focused
dialogues, peer-support groups,
and institutional policy reviews.
This deeply human-centered
and evidence-informed approach
recognises that sustainable care
begins with caring for the caregivers
with a collective readiness among
physicians to dismantle stigma and
embrace a culture of vulnerability
and support.
2025: Expanding Horizons with
Gender-Responsive Programming
This year, the KMA’s Physician
Well-being Committee continues
to gain ground in mental health
awareness and advocacy through
timely campaigns such as a first
of its kind compelling X Space
(formerly Twitter) conversation on
International Women’s Day 2025,
aligning with the “For Women
and Girls – Rights, Equality,
and Empowerment” theme. This
digital event focused on Women’s
Mental Health, bravely addressing
the emotional and psychological
dimensions of issues such as
menopause, dysmenorrhea, chronic
pelvic pain, and impact of skin
conditions on self-image and
mental well-being. These topics,
often minimised and stigmatised
in clinical and cultural spaces, were
approached with compassion and
medical clarity. The X space created
an empowering platform for women
doctors and the public to voice the
silent burdens they carry, helping
to normalise conversations around
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals in Kenya
25
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reproductive and dermatologic
health as legitimate mental health
concerns.
Among the key lessons learned was
that dismissal of pain or hormonal
changes by clinicians can lead to
emotional invalidation, worsening
psychological distress. Second, skin
health is strongly linked to self-
esteem and social participation,
with many women sharing how
acne, hyperpigmentation or scarring
negatively affected their confidence,
especially in professional spaces.
Third, there is a need for structured
support systems in navigating
menopause and period-related
disorders, as many women suffer
in silence due to shame or lack of
accessible information. The ripple
effect of these conversations was
felt through ongoing online
engagement, direct messages
seeking support, and interest in
mentorship opportunities. This
initiative illustrated the power of
gender-responsive mental health
programming, underscoring the
importance of empathetic care, lived
experiences, and shared knowledge
in transforming the mental health
landscape for women and girls in
Kenya.
Groundbreaking Fatherhood
Series
In June 2025, the KMA’s
Physician Well-being Committee
audaciously redefined the scope
of physician wellness and curated
an unprecedented Fatherhood
webinar series, as a four-part
virtual event that centered on the
emotional and psychosocial well-
being of male doctors as fathers.
Departing from conventional well-
being interventions, this series took
a courageous and innovative shift
towards deeply personal, grounding
conversations that fostered reflection
on masculinity, vulnerability,
emotional presence, and legacy.
Featuring diverse male physicians
across generations, specialties,
and geographies, the series
created a transformative space for
affirmation, storytelling, and cultural
introspection. It addressed critical
emotional dimensions of physician
identity often neglected yet vital
for mental resilience and relational
balance within high-pressure health
systems.
The series featured four dynamic
sessions:
1. “Nurturing Resilience, Shaping
Futures” – focused on how
fatherhood can instill strength
and emotional balance in both
the family and the physician.
2. “A Pan-African Roundtable:
Rooted Yet Rising” – celebrated
the deep cultural roots of African
fatherhood, while challenging
norms and exploring modern
expressions of paternal identity
among doctors.
3. “The Power of a Present Father”
– highlighted the transformative
impact of emotional availability,
especially for doctors balancing
demanding medical careers and
fatherhood.
4. “A Trans-generational Doctor
Dad Panel: Legacy in Motion”
– captured the wisdom,
vulnerability, and evolving
perspectives of seasoned and
young physician fathers.
The series sparked meaningful
conversations, challenged norms,
and celebrated the vital role of
fatherhood in shaping futures across
Africa and the medical community
at large. It demonstrated that this
steady movement of affirmation and
legacy helps male doctors become
better physicians and more present,
intentional fathers regardless of
life’s complexities. These trailblazing
efforts were timely and actively
reshaped mindsets in the medical
profession, affirming fatherhood as a
critical aspect of physician wellness.
They offered peer-led psychosocial
support, connected attendees
through shared narratives, and
opened a long-overdue conversation
on male emotional health within
healthcare.
Innovation in Support Systems:
The “Adopt an Intern” Initiative
Medical interns in Kenya face
significant personal and systemic
challenges, including financial
hardship, inadequate housing,
mental health stressors, and
insufficient mentorship. These gaps
compromise the quality of care,
professional growth, and long-term
retention of healthcare professionals.
Additionally, these factors have
negatively affected their mental and
physical well-being, sometimes with
serious consequences such as suicide.
Despite their essential contribution
to Kenya’s healthcare system,
where interns form the bedrock of
service delivery in many hospitals
and provide critical frontline
services across emergency
departments, inpatient wards,
operating theatres, and outpatient
clinics, these young professionals
often struggle without adequate
support systems.
In its ongoing work of deepening
impact and widening its reach,
the KMA’s Physician Wellbeing
Committee is intricately curating
a groundbreaking support program
dubbed the “Adopt an Intern”
initiative. This psychosocial and
mentorship framework is designed
to support interns during the
rigorous compulsory internship
year by pairing interns with senior
colleagues offering professional
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals in Kenya
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support, emotional wellness, peer
support, and social integration
into the medical fraternity. First
launched by the KMA’s Nakuru
Division in 2024, the program
has already provided interns
with stipends, access to mental
health services, and coordinated
mentorship.
This cutting-edge program is
built on five interconnected
pillars addressing critical needs
faced by interns. First, mentorship
provides structured clinical and
non-clinical guidance through case
discussions, hands-on skill coaching,
professional etiquette training,
and life-stage specific guidance,
with interns having the freedom
to choose their mentors through a
structured matching process. Second,
well-being anchoring promotes
holistic health via psychological
support, including peer support
groups, access to therapy, and
mental health emergency hotlines,
alongside physical wellness support
covering nutrition, exercise, and
sleep hygiene, plus social wellness
through relationship coaching and
grief counseling. Third, financial
support and literacy address
economic insecurity through
advocacy for timely intern payment,
access to low-interest loans from
local member-owned financial
institutions, emergency support
funds managed at divisional level,
and comprehensive financial literacy
training covering budgeting, saving,
and avoiding predatory lending.
Fourth, community integration
fosters belonging through social
events, inter-hospital intern
forums, and a proposed mid-year
weekend conference to support
community building among interns.
Fifth, career development equips
interns for long-term success
through resume workshops, career
pathway mapping covering public
service, clinical specialisation, private
practice, and non-clinical pathways
such as research mentorship
opportunities, and scholarship
application support.
The initiative employs
comprehensive implementation
strategies including needs assessment
surveys to quantify intern challenges,
mentor database for flexible
matching systems, partnerships
with existing mentorship bodies,
transparent emergency fund
management through crowdsourcing
and philanthropic donations,
regular wellness check-ins, and
virtual conversations covering
topics from entrepreneurship
to global health. The program
addresses anticipated challenges
such as mentor fatigue through
rotation systems, limited funding
through the cooperative financial
loan institutions and tentative
partnerships, and coordination
burden through regional
coordinators. Sustainability is
ensured through institutionalisation
within the KMA’s strategic plan, a
“pay it forward” model recruiting
alumni interns as future mentors,
documented success stories, and
quarterly monitoring and evaluation
using key indicators such as intern
participation rates, mentor matching
success, stress level improvements,
successful career transitions. This
comprehensive structured support
system should adequately nurture
interns into confident, competent
doctors, enhance their internship
experiences, improve clinical
performance, and strengthen Kenya’s
healthcare system.
Sustained Educational
Programming and Future
Developments
From July to October 2025, parallel
fortnight webinar series aims to
foster a culture of continuous
learning, normalise mental health
conversations within the medical
fraternity, and equip healthcare
professionals with practical,
evidence-based tools to enhance
personal well-being, patient care,
and systemic resilience in the face
of growing psychosocial challenges.
First, focusing on lifestyle psychiatry
recognises that mental well-being is
deeply rooted in everyday behaviors
such as sleep, exercise, social
connection, stress management that
are often compromised in high-
pressure healthcare environments.
Second, geriatric health particularly
the well-being of our senior doctors,
addresses the unique mental and
physical health concerns faced
in later years, including burnout,
loneliness, and transitioning out
of active practice. Third, suicide
prevention series will address
the alarming rates of physician
and trainee suicide, encouraging
openness, early intervention, and
peer support within a profession
often silenced by stigma. Finally,
addressing nutrition and mental
health underscores the vital role that
food and metabolic health play in
regulating mood, energy levels, and
cognitive function.
Technology-Enabled Solutions
Looking forward, a self-check-
in virtual mental health platform
is also under development to
allow healthcare professionals to
assess themselves for burnout,
compassion fatigue or psychological
distress and be automatically
referred to a qualified counseling
psychologist when needed. This
innovative tool is designed to
promote proactive mental health
care by enabling timely self-
awareness and confidential access to
professional support. By integrating
technology into wellness, the
platform reflects a shift toward
compassionate, data-driven solutions
that prioritise the mental well-being
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals in Kenya
27
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of healthcare providers in real time.
Lastly, a toll-free national helpline
is underway to connect medical
practitioners across Kenya with
licensed counseling psychologists as
well as offer confidential emotional
support, making mental health
care accessible, timely, and stigma-
free. Together, these innovations
signal a transformational shift in
Kenya’s healthcare system: one that
places the mental well-being of
providers at its core. By humanising
the healthcare experience and
embedding psychosocial support
into routine practice, these efforts
reaffirm a simple, but powerful
truth, that caring for those who
care for others is not optional; it is
foundational to building a resilient,
compassionate, and sustainable
health system.
Conclusion: A Call to Sustained
Action
The time to reimagine mental
health in medicine is now.
Prioritising mental health is a
foundational component of public
health systems. Kenya’s efforts
are advancing steadily and with
unified global collaboration, we can
secure a mentally resilient health
workforce for the future. As KMA
continues to pioneer inclusive,
gender-responsive and culturally
grounded mental health initiatives,
we call upon all stakeholders,
such as healthcare institutions,
policymakers, medical educators,
senior professionals, and frontline
health professionals to join this
transformative movement.
Let us join hands to amplify
conversations that validate
emotional wellness as core to
medical professionalism as well
as champion mentorship and
psychosocial support for our
youngest and most vulnerable
colleagues. In unity we can break
the silence surrounding male mental
health and empower doctors to
be present for their patients, their
families and themselves. We can
invest in sustainable structures
like digital wellness tools and toll-
free helplines that ensure access,
confidentiality, and continuity of
care. We can embed mental health
into everyday practice from ward
rounds to boardrooms recognising
that a resilient health system
begins with a well-supported
workforce. These collective actions
will influence a cultural shift,
where we will build a medical
community that recognises
vulnerability as strength, support
as standard, and physician
well-being as protected as a moral
and strategic imperative. Together,
we shall strengthen systemic
safeguards for physicians’ mental
health, support sustainable training,
and scale up mental wellness
interventions.
As Kenya takes bold steps forward,
the opportunity now lies in
galvanising regional and continental
momentum. Africa must position
itself as a leader in redefining
physician mental wellness anchored
in systems that are resilient,
inclusive, and responsive to the
unique pressures faced by healthcare
professionals. By institutionalising
mental health within health policy,
resourcing wellness infrastructure,
and scaling proven, locally driven
interventions, we can shape a future
where the mental well-being of
medical professionals is safeguarded
as a core pillar of health system
performance. Let this be Africa’s
moment to lead with vision, act
with urgency, and build a legacy
of care that strengthens not only
our physicians, but the millions of
patients, families and communities
who depend on them.
References
1. World Health Organization.
Mental health atlas 2020. Gene-
va: WHO; 2021. Available from:
https://www.who.int/publica-
tions/i/item/9789240036703
2. Ndetei DM,Khasakhala L,Mutiso
V, Mbwayo AW. Knowledge, atti-
tude and practice (KAP) of mental
illness among staff in general med-
ical facilities in Kenya: practice and
policy implications. Afr J Psychia-
try. 2011; 14(3):225-35.
3. Ministry of Health, Government
of Kenya. Kenya Mental Health
Policy 2015–2030. Nairobi: Gov-
ernment of Kenya; 2015. Avai­
lable from: https://mental.health.
go.ke/download/kenya-men-
tal-health-policy-2015-2030/
4. Parliament of Kenya. The Mental
Health (Amendment) Act-2022.
Nairobi: Parliament of Kenya;
2022: Available from: https://
kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/
p d f d o w n l o a d s / Ac t s / 2 0 2 2 /
TheMentalHealth_Amendment_
Act_2022.pdf
5. Musyimi CW, Mutiso VN, Nan-
doya ES, Ndetei DM. Forming a
joint dialogue among faith heal-
ers, traditional healers and formal
health workers in mental health in
a Kenyan setting: towards common
grounds. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed.
2016;12(1):4.
6. The Guardian. Kenya court rules
that criminalizing attempted sui-
cide is unconstitutional [Internet].
2025 [cited 2025 Sep 1].
Available from: https://www.
theguardian.com/global-de-
v e l o p m e n t / 2 0 2 5 / j a n / 1 0 /
kenya-court-rules-that-criminal-
ising-attempted-suicide-is-uncon-
stitutional
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7. Kenya Medical Practitioners
Pharmacists and Dentists Un-
ion (KMPDU). National dia-
logue on strengthening health
workforce development and
management in Kenya [Inter-
net]. 2023 [cited 2025 Sep 1].
Available from:https://kmpdu.org/
national-dialogue-on-strength-
ening-health-workforce-develop-
ment-and-management-in-kenya/
Ayda Linda Wanjiku, MBChB,
MMed (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
FIGO One World Exchange Fellow
Convenor, Physician Well-being
Committee,
Kenya Medical Association
Nairobi, Kenya
aydawanjiku@gmail.com
Acknowledgement:
The author would like to thank
Dr. Mathanjuki Muhoro, an
early-career researcher from the
University of West Indies and
Lebanese American University,
for his valuable editorial
contribution to this article.
Revolutionising Mental Wellness for Medical Professionals in Kenya
29
“The inextricable links between mental
health and public health, human rights
and socioeconomic development mean
that transforming policy and practice
in mental health can deliver real,
substantive benefits for individuals,
communities and countries everywhere.
Investment into mental health is an
investment into a better life and future
for all.” – WHO Director-General,
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Mental health, as a fundamental
component of overall health,
represents a state of mental well-
being that allows individuals to cope
with life stressors, build social
relationships, be productive in
learning and work environments,
and contribute to the wider
community [1]. Mental health
disorders, which exist on a
continuum with varying degrees
of stress, burden, and impairment,
can be influenced by diverse
determinants of health, including
cultural, economic, environmental,
and social factors [2]. The global
mental health burden continues
to rise, with an estimated one
billion (or one in eight) individuals
currently living with a mental
health disorder – including 301
million with anxiety and 280 million
with depression [3]. Global age-
standardised suicide mortality rates
have declined by 40% over the
past three decades, from 15.0
per 100,000 people in 1990 to
9.0 per 100,000 people in 2021,
demonstrating the impact of
effective mental health programs
(e.g. expanding crisis services
and social support networks) [4].
However, significant regional
variations persist, with significant
declines in East Asia (up to 66%)
and increases in North (7%) and
South America (9-39%) [4]. These
statistics present the stark reality
of inconsistent integration of
mental healthcare in health system
financing, governance, and
policy development worldwide,
including significant challenges
like the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic and global
conflict and instability [2,3].
Over the past decade, substantial
policy initiatives have been
developed and incorporated into
global health systems. First, the
World Health Assembly
(WHA) approved the World
Health Organization (WHO)’s
Comprehensive Mental Health Action
Plan (2013-2020) in May 2013,
which was extended until 2030
in May 2019 [5]. The document
aims to promote mental health
and well-being for all through four
primary objectives; 1) more effective
leadership and governance for
mental health; 2) provision of
comprehensive, integrated mental
health and social care services
in community-based settings;
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus
on Mental Health and Well-Being
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
Credit:
PeopleImages
/
shutterstock.com
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30
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3) implementation of promotion
and prevention strategies; and 4)
strengthened information systems,
evidence and research [5]. Second,
the World Mental Health Report:
Transforming Mental Health for
All, published in 2021, offered
an urgent call for stakeholders
worldwide to implement the
action plan by identifying novel
approaches that ensure political and
community leadership commitment,
fostering collaborations across
sectors, and building networks of
integrative primary and mental
health services [6]. It expands on
the Comprehensive Mental Health
Action Plan, which highlighted
insufficient advancements to
achieve targets, including global
inequalities related to mental
health resources, clinical service
delivery,and policies and laws.Finally,
the Mental Health Atlas 2024 was
published in 2025, updating the 2020
version, sharing updated country
performance data on designated
targets of the Comprehensive Mental
Health Action Plan across health
systems [7].
World Mental Health Day (https://
www.who.int/campaigns/world-
mental-health-day) is observed
annually on 10 October [8]. The
“Access to Services – Mental Health
in Catastrophes and Emergencies”
theme underscores the need for
mental health support during
disasters and other crises. To
combat the mental health burden
and prioritise health professionals’
training programs, the Ensuring
Quality in Psychological Support
(EQUIP) platform (https://
equipcompetency.org/en-gb), a
joint WHO and United Nations
International Children’s Emergency
Fund (UNICEF) initiative, was
developed in 2020 [9]. In July
2025, the WHO and UNICEF
launched a new training manual
to support the EQUIP platform,
with 15 core competencies that
support three categories (engage,
understand, support), including
empathetic listening and
compassionate care in mental
health [10].
Understanding the underlying
drivers of mental health, including
the development factors (e.g.
poverty), is key to tailor national
and international initiatives to
achieve the specific indicators and
targets of the United Nations’ (UN)
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). For example, SDG3 (Ensure
healthy lives and promote well-being
for all at all ages) – namely, targets
3.4 (reduce premature mortality
from non-communicable disease by
one-third through prevention and
treatment) and 3.5 (strengthen
prevention and treatment of substance
abuse) – specifically points out
mental health disorders as a global
priority, yet current estimates
show insufficient progress toward
achieving the established goals
[11]. Notably, the SDG framework
demonstrates the interconnectedness
of other global indicators that are
associated with mental healthcare
and quality of life – like SDG1
(no poverty), SDG4 (quality
education), SDG8 (decent work
and economic growth), SDG10
(reduced inequalities), and SDG11
(sustainable cities and communities)
– as the call to action to strengthen
health system leadership and
governance for mental health
services worldwide [11].
In this article, physicians from 20
countries – Colombia, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Hungary,
Ivory Coast, Kenya, Latvia,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru,
Philippines, South Africa, Spain,
Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and
Tobago, Tunisia, United Kingdom,
and Uruguay – described statistics
of the national mental health
burden, existing challenges to
support mental health services,
and national policies that
demonstrate expanded coverage
for mental health care and health
professions’ training programs.
They shared specific community-
based initiatives that have increased
mental health awareness in efforts to
reduce stigma and discrimination in
their countries.
Colombia
Each year, World Mental Health
Day offers a moment for physicians
in Colombia to reflect on the
silent mental health crisis and
promote the creation of safe spaces
and supportive services to break
down potential barriers and meet
community needs. According to the
Colombia Ministry of Health and
Social Protection, mental disorders
are one of the main causes of
morbidity, especially among
persons aged 15 to 34 years
[12]. The fourth edition of the
National Survey of Mental Health
(Encuesta Nacional de Salud
Mental, ENSM) highlighted that
the prevalence of depression had
declined from 543 per 100,000
people in 2019 to 474 cases per
100,000 people in 2023, with urban
areas at significant risk (double)
than rural areas [12]. The incidence
rate of suicide attempts in adults
had increased dramatically from
46.7% in 2020 to 71.3% in 2023,
as a result of the pandemic and other
socio-economic challenges [12].
With more than 100 indigenous
communities in the nation, such as
the Embera Dobidá (Chocó
rainforest), Vaupés (Amazonian
region), and Wayuú (Guajira
Peninsula), these populations have
documented alarming rates of
suicide attempts and deaths, linked
with ongoing armed violence,
displacement, and poverty [13,14].
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The limited number of health
professionals (e.g. 2.5 psychiatrists
per 100,000 people) and prevention
programs, together with persistent
geographic, territorial, and
socioeconomic inequalities, continue
to exacerbate gaps in access and
availability of mental healthcare
services across Colombia [12].
Over the past decade, the
Government of Colombia has
implemented robust measures
to promote mental health for all
citizens, guided by the Decadal
Plan of Public Health (Plan Decenal
de Salud Pública), 2022-2031. First,
national leaders adopted the Law
1616 of 2013, which recognised
mental health as a fundamental
right for all citizens and mandated
the government as the responsible
party to ensure coverage (e.g.
healthcare services to support
groups) within the health system
[15]. Second, the Colombia
Ministry of Health launched the
National Mental Health Policy in
2021, as a comprehensive, territorial
approach to ensure that mental
healthcare was incorporated in
primary care and community-based
services [16]. These two initiatives,
however, faced significant setbacks
as the health system’s design
was deemed ineffective with the
implementation of public policy
on the private sector (Health
Promotion Entities or Empresas
Promotoras de Salud, EPS).
Finally, national leaders approved
Law 2460 of 2025, which
prioritised mental health within
the regulatory framework of Law
1616 de 2013, reshaping the
national discourse on mental health
services and guaranteeing the
effective access to healthcare,
prevention, and rehabilitation
services across the health system
[17].
As physicians representing the
Colombian Medical Federation
(Federación Médica Colombiana),
we recognise that collective action
is crucial to strengthen primary
care services and incorporate
the early detection and prompt
management of mental health
disorders. Physicians are local and
national health leaders who can
lead the development of
community-based programs that
expand resource distribution
and outreach to marginalised
communities, such as rural and
indigenous populations. They can
advocate for sustainable political
investment in mental health
education and health literacy,
which can transform this “culture
of silence” and reduce stigma and
discrimination associated with
mental health disorders. At regional
and global levels, physicians can
contribute to building global
scientific and community networks
that promote knowledge sharing of
evidence-based research, identify
existing gaps, and discuss cost-
effective solutions and interventions.
After all, health professionals can
lead efforts combat barriers and
associated stigma to help expand
access and availability of mental
healthcare services.
Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, the
Health Situation Analysis (Análisis
de Situación de Salud) report
estimated the 20% of residents
suffered from at least one mental
disorder between 2018 and 2022,
including 6.4% with depression,
4.0% with anxiety, and 1.4%
with drug use [18]. The National
Epidemiological Surveillance
System concluded that the national
suicide rate in persons (over 6 years
of age) fluctuated between 6.6
and 7.1 per 100,000 people
between 2019 and 2023 [18].
The mental health burden has
been attributed to limited federal
funding for mental health services,
limited access to care for rural
communities, associated stigma,
poverty and financial hardship,
and the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic. As citizens have had few
resources to seek care, leading to
undiagnosed and untreated mental
disorders, increased reports of
domestic violence, sexual assaults,
robbery, and homicides in August
2025, have propelled a call to action
to review the health system care
model to better understand the
impact of mental health disorders
on individual and community health.
The Dominican Republic Ministry
of Health, serving a total of 11.4
million residents, has observed the
fluctuating trend of mental health
disorders in the population between
1990 and 2000, particularly noting
how family members frequently
abandoned hospitalised patients,
which facilitated the path to
strengthen mental health care
services [19]. First, the National
Standards for Mental Health Care
(Normas Nacionales para la Atención
en Salud Mental) were published
in 2004, proposing a cross-cutting
model for integrated mental health
management [20]. Second, the
Mental Health Law 12-06 (Ley
de Salud Mental No. 12-06) was
enacted in 2006, establishing that
public policies and specific plans
must protect the right to seek and
receive comprehensive mental
healthcare [21]. Third, the Provision
000026-14 (Provisión No. 000026-
14), adopted in 2014, approved
the mental healthcare model,
which facilitated the development
and approval of the Resolution
000019-6 (Resolución No. 000019-
6) in 2016, which created mental
health crisis intervention units
to operationalize clinical care
protocols [22,23]. Fourth, the
the National Mental Health Plan
(Plan Nacional de Salud Mental)
was launched in 2019, which
prioritised the complete integration
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of mental healthcare into
primary care services [18]. In
2020, Resolution 00004 (Resolución
No. 00004) was accepted, which
updated the mandatory notification
disease and events for the national
health heath surveillance system,
including mental health (e.g.
alcoholism, anxiety attacks,
depression, drug addiction, suicide
attempts) [24].
The Dominican Republic health
system continues to prioritise the
integration of mental healthcare in
primary care services across urban
and rural communities, as forward
steps to improve life expectancy
and quality of life and respect
human rights and dignity. With
recent increase in acts of social
violence in the country, the
government aims to amend the
Mental Health Law (Ley de Salud
Mental) to incorporate five elements
– 1) respect human rights and
dignity; 2) increase access and
quality of health services; 3) support
mental health prevention and
promotion; 4) focus on community-
based approaches; 5) increase
political and financial commitment
[25]. As leaders commemorate
World Mental Health Day, they
have shared their commitment to
support public policies that
prioritise patients with mental
disorders, promote patient-centered
health services, and strengthen
community services and resources.
Physicians are community leaders
who can advocate for patients’
rights for quality health services
for ambulatory or hospital care
(including access to medications),
relevant health professionals’
training courses on mental health,
and increased national support
for academic research on mental
health (e.g. Mental Health
Observatory launched by the
Pontificia Universidad Católica
Madre y Maestra).
Ecuador
In Ecuador, recent studies
highlight the substantial toll of
poor physicians’ mental health
on communities, but no official
national surveillance system
monitors this health outcome.
One 2025 national survey of 1,976
physicians found that 9.0% met
strict criteria for burnout syndrome,
25.3% reported high emotional
exhaustion, and 23.8% exhibited
symptoms of depersonalization.
Independent risk factors included
long shifts (>8 hours), shift work,
work-family conflict, psychological
inflexibility, and perceived
loneliness [26]. Another survey of
2,873 health professionals conducted
during the COVID-19 pandemic,
concluded that 57.1% experienced
moderate burnout, with higher
levels in those working in the
Amazon region than in the coastal
regions [27]. These challenges are
compounded by shortages of medical
specialists: Ecuador currently has
only 0.08 psychiatrists for every
10,000 people – less than the WHO
recommendation of at least one
psychiatrist per 10,000 people [28].
The high toll has been seen not
only on healthcare providers
themselves, but also on the
communities they serve. Mental
health is a stark reminder of
the urgency and uneven progress
that exist in supporting mental
health needs. A nationwide study
of suicide trends (2011-2020)
documented 10,380 deaths, with
the national rate rising from 8.15
per 100,000 in 2011 to 8.81 per
100,000 in 2020. Specifically,
provinces, such as Napo (central
region) and Azuay (south-central
region), carried a disproportionate
burden [29]. Similarly, earlier
longitudinal data (2001-2015)
highlighted how suicide rates in
the Highlands were twice the rates
on the Coast, and by 2015, suicide
mortality (7.9 per 100,000 people)
exceeded homicide mortality
(6.3 per 100,000 people) nationally
[30]. These patterns, coupled with
mental health workforce shortages
and insufficient surveillance, reflect
a critical gap and a pronounced
lack of comprehensive
epidemiological information that
impedes targeted policy design.
In response, Ecuadorian leaders
have taken significant steps and
developed new frameworks to
address these deficiencies through
legislation, policies, and campaigns.
In 2021, the Ecuadorian Ministry
of Health published the Manual
for Suicide Prevention for
Community Caregivers (Manual
de Prevención del Suicidio para
Cuidadores Comunitarios), providing
practical guidance for responding
to suicide attempts at home or in
public [31]. In 2023, after a decade
of sustained advocacy, the National
Assembly approved a Mental
Health Law, establishing mental
health as a right and strengthening
community-based services. This
law paved the way for the National
Mental Health Policy 2024-2030
[32], approved in 2024, focusing on
community-based care, preventing
risk factors, and integrating
mental health into primary care.
Additionally, in May 2025, a
new Manual for Suicide Attempt
Prevention (Manual para la
Prevención en Intentos de Suicidios)
was published by the Ministry
of Health, seeking to organise
primary response teams and
communities in regard to suicide
attempts [33]. Furthermore,
Ecuador has also partnered with
regional actors such as the Pan
American Health Organization
on community campaigns and
initiatives, including “Where’s my
head?” community mental health
festival and the QualityRights
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Initiative on mental health,
recovery, and community inclusion.
Grassroots innovations further
significantly contribute to
encouraging community
participation. For example,
“Huertomanías” Cooperative
represents a social initiative that
seeks to dismantle mental health
stigma through horticulture and
humour, employing individuals
with mental illness and
delivering immersive workshops,
products, and language-based
stigma [34].
On this World Mental Health
Day, our global community must
confront the culture of silence
and stigma in medicine by
fostering environments where
healthcare professionals feel safe
to disclose their struggles and seek
professional help when needed.
Physicians in Ecuador and the
region should unite through our
medical societies and institutions
to push for full implementation of
the new Mental Health Law and
adequate funding for services.
Additionally, we should be a
catalyst for sustained and
coordinated action for our
population. Integrating stepped-
care approaches that align with
patients’ needs can be instrumental
in delivering cost-effective, targeted
treatment options for optimal
management and recovery. From
a policy perspective, the medical
community can play a decisive
role in advocating for the
operationaliation of the Mental
Health Law, ensuring that
community-based services are
incorporated into training and
outreach programs. At the global
level, equitable distribution of
mental health resources and
inclusion of low- and middle-
income countries in research
funding streams should be
prioritised as part of the
international conversation, with
equity, data transparency and
collaboration at the core of this effort.
Hungary
As an opportune moment to
commemorate World Mental
Health Day, Hungary is recognised
for making significant scientific
discoveries that have advanced
the fields of psychology, psychiatry,
and psychotherapy [35]. The
Government of Hungary allocates
the expenditure on mental health
as 4% of the total expenditure
on health [36]. According to the
Institute for Health Metrics and
Evaluation (IHME), an estimated
14% of the nation’s citizens
(versus 17% of European citizens)
were diagnosed with a mental
health disorder in 2019 [37].
Notably, Hungary has one of the
highest suicide mortality rates
in Europe, reporting 15.7 (per
100,000 people) in 2020, decreased
from 35.1 (per 100,000 people)
in 2000. This observed trend,
however, has stalled over the past
five years due to impacts from the
COVID-19 pandemic [37].
The Hungary Ministry of
Health recognises barriers in
underdiagnosed depressive and
anxiety disorders, due to severe
workforce shortages and poor
primary care management of
mental health disorders.
Over the past two decades,
the Ministry of Interior, serving
the healthcare needs of an
estimated 9.5 million citizens, has
observed the reduced institutional
capacity in the mental health
sector, increased proportion of
outpatient and group-based
services, and low national health
expenditure allocated for mental
health services. Since Hungary
does not have a separate Mental
Health Act, despite widespread
discourse among health
professionals advocating for this
policy, regulations and patients’
rights are not clearly specified,
leading to legal uncertainty and
violation of patients’ rights. In
2019, the Government of Hungary
announced the plans to develop t
he National Mental Health
Program, which aimed to create
an integrated, stepped-care model
that would link primary care
with psychological services and
strengthen community-based
psychiatric care. However, no
detailed background materials,
analyses or legal frameworks have
been published since 2019. In
2021, the Healthy Hungary
Strategy (2021-2027) was adopted,
incorporating mental health as a
significant national priority, but
no implementation programs have
been developed yet [38]. Although
Health Insurance Fund includes
publicly funded care (gratuitous) for
Hungarian citizens, rural residents
face barriers to access due to the
lack of mental health infrastructure
and limited services. Access to
psychotherapy is the most striking
example of income-based disparity:
limited availability in the public
sector, but an out-of-pocket expense
in private practice.
As physicians of the Hungarian
Medical Chamber, we recognise
the need to strengthen primary
care and ensure political
commitment for sustainable
financing for mental health
programs. We understand the
driving factors that are influencing
the burden of mental health
disorders in the Hungarian
population, including limited
policies for social protection, socio-
economic challenges, and digital
transformation. Using the WHO
guidance documents, physicians
can lead efforts to advocate for
appropriate and timely mental
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
34
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health legislation – focused on
patients’ rights – as essential steps
for the future. We encourage
Hungarian doctors to raise their
voices for national programs that
aim to integrate mental healthcare
services across all levels of the
health system.
Ivory Coast
As we observe World Mental
Health Day on 10 October, low-
and middle-income countries
(LMICs) experience challenges
that are magnified by resource
constraints, fragmented health
systems, and pervasive stigma.
With its complex demographic
evolution and history of socio-
political upheaval, the Ivory Coast
(Côte d’Ivoire) faces unique
cultural, historical, economic, and
systemic challenges in addressing
mental health. The Ivory Coast,
with an estimated 31 million
citizens, has limited prevalence data
on the mental health burden, but
highlights that community-based
campaigns have attributed to the
national suicide prevalence declining
from 14.5 per 100,000 people
in 2016 to 8.9 per 100.000 people
in 2019 [39]. The country reports
fewer than 150 psychiatrists and
clinical psychologists available
nationwide, concentrated in the
economic capital (Abidjan), and
few specialised psychiatric hospitals
(e.g. Bingerville Psychiatric
Hospital) and psychiatric wards
within regional and university
hospitals [40,41]. Together
with mental health financing
representing less than 1% of
the national health budget, this
imbalance results in limited
accessibility to specialised care for
rural or peri-urban communities,
who depend on community health
practitioners with limited mental
health training as the first point of
contact [42].
Over the past two decades, the
Ivory Coast has successfully
supported two landmark initiatives
to ensure that mental health is
prioritised within the national
health system. First, the
National Mental Health Program
(Programme National de Santé
Mentale, PNSM), established
in 2007, represents the national
body that coordinates policy
development and integrated mental
health service delivery (including
national suicide reporting) [43].
Second, the Ivory Coast was the
first Francophone African nation
to implemented a national suicide
reporting system in 2023, which
will improve health surveillance
records and help inform tailored
community-based approaches [44].
Furthermore, the Ministry of
Health has initiated programs
to decentralise mental health
services by integrating psychiatric
units into regional hospitals as
well as expanding mental health
training programs for health
professionals. As mental illness
is still perceived through cultural
and spiritual lenses, many
communities attribute psychiatric
symptoms to mystical causes or
witchcraft and consult traditional
healers or religious leaders [41].
Hence, robust partnerships between
the Ivorian government, WHO,
and other non-governmental and
international organisations have
resulted in widespread community-
based awareness campaigns aimed
at reducing stigma and promoting
psychosocial support for all
citizens. As valuable partnerships,
the Saint Camille de Lellis
Association (Association Saint-
Camille de Lellis), founded in
Bouaké in 1991, represents a
network of 18 centres offering
compassionate, affordable care to
marginalised populations in three
West African nations (Benin,
Ivory Coast, Togo) (https://www.
amis-st-camille.org/en/). Also, the
Committee for the Promotion
and Advancement of Cooperatives
(Centre de Counseling Professionnel
et de Pastorale Clinique,
COPAC Center) was established
in 2018, training non-specialists
in psychosocial support, aiming
to reduce stigma and complement
formal care systems (https://www.
copac.coop/).
In the Ivory Coast, despite
significant systemic and cultural
barriers, compassionate initiatives,
emerging research applications,
and civil society engagement
demonstrate the country’s potential
for positive transformation. As
health leaders working across the
world, we can collectively advocate
for the comprehensive integration
of mental health into primary care
services as well as youth-focused
interventions into primary schools
and universities. We can highlight
the need for political investment
in co-designing community-
based programs with community
members (including religious and
traditional leaders), with support
from organisations like the Saint
Camille de Lellis Association and
the COPAC Center. World Mental
Health Day serves as a crucial
reminder that investing in mental
health and well-being is essential
to enhance social cohesion,
productivity, and national resilience
and ensure equitable access to
mental healthcare in the Ivory
Coast, Africa, and the world.
Kenya
World Mental Health Day
has profound significance for
physicians in Kenya. It is a moment
to pause, reflect, and advocate for
systems that care for the caregiver,
as we urgently safeguard the mental
health of healthcare professionals
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
35
who serve under relentless
pressure with limited resources. In
Kenya, approximately 1 in 4 people
seeking outpatient services present
with a mental health condition,
yet fewer than 150 practicing
psychiatrists serve over 50 million
residents [45]. These statistics
highlight a significant disparity
in access to care and its equitable
distribution, especially for the
rural and underserved populations.
Among physicians, the burden is
compounded by the normalisation
of overwork, relentless professional
pressure, and limited access to
support systems, with burnout
rates nearing 60%, and 1 in 3
physicians considering leaving
the profession due to poor mental
health support [46]. Despite
growing awareness, mental
health challenges remain vastly
underreported among medical
students, residents and early-career
doctors due to stigma, cultural
silence, and fear of professional
repercussions and more evident in
young female doctors during the
COVID-19 pandemic [47].
Kenya has made remarkable
progress in positioning mental
health as a national priority
driven by a range of
transformative initiatives that reflect
a multi-sectoral and forward-
looking approach. First, the Mental
Health (Amendment) Act of 2022
marked a watershed moment in
health policy reform by laying
the foundation for a paradigm
shift toward a rights-based,
inclusive, and community-centered
mental health system [48]. The Act
mandates the decentralisation of
services and integration of mental
health into primary healthcare,
reinforcing earlier commitments
in the Kenya Mental Health Policy
2015–2030 [49]. In harmony,
these frameworks aim to dismantle
long-standing stigma, improve
accessibility, and bring quality
mental health services closer
to communities. Second, the
Ministry of Health’s “You Matter”
campaign, launched in 2023,
exemplified digital innovation in
public health advocacy targeting
youth through widespread
engagement spotlighting suicide
prevention, resilience-building and
mental well-being. By amplifying
authentic stories and peer voices,
it successfully demystified help-
seeking and leveraged the power
of digital storytelling to normalise
mental health conversations
among Kenya’s younger population.
Third, the Kenya Medical
Association has pioneered sector-
specific advocacy and high impact
programming that are shifting
the conversation from silence
to sustained support within the
profession and society at large.
In October 2024, its Physician
Well-being Committee led a
nationwide mental health advocacy
campaign where strong, concise,
and relatable social media
messages on all major platforms
helped champion workplace
mental health and encouraged
physicians to prioritise their
well-being. From October to
December 2024, the Committee
also hosted a three-month webinar
series prioritising workplace
mental health sparking meaningful
conversations and offering
participants practical tools to
recognise and address mental
health challenges in their
workspaces. Such rollouts have
not only created safe spaces for
dialogue but have also elevated
physician well-being as a public
health concern deserving
structured sustainable support. The
highlighted triads of innovative
efforts signify a growing national
recognition that mental health
is integral to holistic well-being,
social justice, and the resilience
of Kenya’s health system.
Our call to action is urgent and
clear: to prioritise mental health
not as a siloed issue, but as a
foundational pillar of resilient,
equitable public health systems.
We must normalise mental
health conversations within our
profession, embed supportive
policies at institutional levels,
and model the care we advocate
for. Kenyan physicians must
continue to lead the charge by
championing policy reforms,
promoting psychologically safe
workplaces, and advancing
community-driven mental health
education. Regionally, we must
forge strategic collaborations,
share scalable models, and build an
African-led movement that centres
local context and ownership.
Globally, we urge our peers and
partners to elevate physician
mental health as a human rights
imperative, commit sustainable
funding toward long-term support
structures, and actively dismantle
structural stigma in our health
systems. As we embed mental
health at the heart of health care,
let us act boldly, unite collectively
and respond with unrelenting
compassion to this pressing reality.
Latvia
World Mental Health Day
represents a moment for Latvian
physicians and the public to reflect
on the growing importance of
mental well-being and advocate
for improved access to care. In
Latvia, a Baltic state of 1.8 million
residents, the burden of mental
health disorders in primary care
is unknown. One national cross-
sectional primary care study showed
that the current prevalence of any
mental disorder in Latvia was
37.2% in 2020, with significantly
greater risk in women [50].
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
36
Specifically, the most frequent
diagnostic categories were mood
disorders (18.4%), suicidality
(18.6%), and anxiety disorders
(15.8%) [50]. Also, one
population‑wide study (2019–
2023) reported that the Latvians
expressed clinically significant
depressive symptoms (6.4%)
and generalised anxiety disorder
(3.9%), met criteria for alcohol use
disorders (13.1%), and reported
suicidal thoughts or behaviour
in the past month (10.6%) [50].
Specifically, Latvia’s suicide rate
remains elevated within the
European Union ‒ 15.6 per 100,000
people in 2020 ‒ though it has
decreased from previous years [51].
In recent years, Latvia has
implemented significant reforms
and innovative programs in the f
ield of mental health, aligning
national strategies with European
priorities and evidence-based
practices. At the national level,
Latvia’s Mental Health Care
Improvement Plan 2023–2025,
approved in 2022, introduced
early intervention programs for
first-episode psychosis, expanded
mobile psychiatric teams, improved
transitions from child to adult
psychiatry, and broadened harm-
reduction services, including
methadone buses [52]. One
milestone achievement is the
Methodological Centre for Mental
Health Care at the National
Centre of Mental Health,
established in 2024 by the Ministry
of Health, which oversees clinical
quality, develops diagnostic and
treatment guidelines, evaluates
health data, and facilitates
interdisciplinary and intersectoral
collaboration [53]. The Centre also
provides recommendations for
medical education and workforce
planning, ensuring systematic
improvements in service delivery.
At the regional level, the Joint
Action Mental Health Together
(MENTOR) was launched
in September 2024, with the
participation of 43 institutions
from 20 European countries,
including Latvia (https://ja-mentor.
eu/). Coordinated by the National
Centre for Mental Health, the
project aims to promote mental
health and reduce the burden of
mental illness across Europe by
fostering experience exchange,
implementing best practices, and
supporting vulnerable groups such
as children, young people, and
Ukrainian refugees. Core objectives
include integrating mental health
in all policies, strengthening
prevention and community-based
interventions, reducing stigma and
discrimination, and developing
innovative digital tools for early
detection and support.
Notably, Latvia has pioneered
digital innovation in treatment
access. Since December 2024,
a state-funded semi-automated
digital therapy program has been
available for individuals diagnosed
with anxiety and depression [52].
The intervention, based on evidence
from Finland, provides cognitive
behavioural therapy (CBT) modules
accessible via smartphones or
tablets, supervised by mental
health specialists. In 2025, the
NPVC, in collaboration with the
Adolescent Resource Centre and
the Children’s Clinical University
Hospital, launched a pilot
program to adapt and evaluate this
model for adolescents and
young adults (up to age 25). The
program offers structured
sessions, digital diaries, relaxation
techniques, and therapist feedback,
with the capacity to treat 400
patients within its first year.
Early evaluations suggest that
digital therapy can be as effective
as face-to-face treatment, while
significantly reducing waiting
times and preserving clinical
resources [54].
Together, these national initiatives
reflect Latvia’s commitment to
building a modern, accessible, and
integrated mental health system
that addresses the needs of
vulnerable populations, supports
professional development, and
contributes to European-wide
innovation in mental healthcare.
For now, Latvian leaders are
ready to cooperate and share their
clinical and community health
expertise to help improve the
integration of mental healthcare
into primary care across diverse
health systems worldwide. They
are enthusiastic to learn, share,
and implement best clinical
practices that help strengthen
Latvian mental healthcare services.
Malaysia
World Mental Health Day is a
timely reminder that mental
well-being is an essential part of
health for both the public and the
medical profession. The National
Health and Morbidity Survey
(NHMS), published by the
Malaysia Ministry of Health every
four years, offers a comprehensive
overview of the national health
statistics on mental health
outcomes and other non-
communicable diseases. Earlier
NHMS surveys reported the
prevalence rate of mental health
disorders as 10.7% in 1996
and 29.2% in 2015, noting an
increased burden of 40% in the
capital city (Kuala Lumpur) and
rural areas in East Malaysia
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
37
[55,56]. The NHMS 2023
captured a decreasing prevalence
of mental health disorders,
with 4.6% of adults (or an
estimated one million individuals)
and 16.5% of children (5-15 years
of age) with depression, increasing
from 2.3% and 7.9%, respectively,
reported in NHMS 2019 [57,58].
These figures represent real
lives, patients, colleagues, and
communities that physicians
serve, yet stigma, uneven access to
specialist care, and workforce
shortages remain significant
barriers to timely and effective
mental health interventions. The
rising depression and mental
health problems highlight the
urgent need for stronger support
across Malaysian communities,
schools, and workplaces.
The Government of Malaysia has
taken several steps to improve
mental health awareness and
access for its 35 million citizens.
Over the past two decades, the
Malaysia Parliament adopted
two key policies related to mental
healthcare, management, and
protection – Malaysian Mental
Health Act in 2001 (implemented
in 2010) and the Mental
Health Regulation in 2010 [55].
Later, the National Strategic Plan
for Mental Health (2020–2025)
was approved in 2021, as a multi-
sectoral framework for prevention,
early detection, and integrated
community care. This plan also
aimed to decrease depression rates
among adolescents from 18% to
10% by 2025 [59].
Furthermore, the National Centre
of Excellence for Mental Health
(NCEMH), established in
2022, serves as a hub for service
coordination, training, and crisis
support [60]. To support these
robust initiatives, Malaysian
Medical Association leaders
successfully advocated for the
decriminalization of attempted
suicide in 2023, which demonstrated
a historic shift from punitive to
compassionate care. The Association
also leads and operates HelpDoc
(https://mma.org.my/helpdoc/), a
confidential online platform that
addresses workplace bullying and
harassment – including burnout,
mental fatigue, and anxiety –
in particularly in underfunded,
overworked, and understaffed
healthcare settings [61].
The Malaysian Medical
Association, representing
physicians in Malaysia, believes
that mental healthcare is a universal
right-one that must be extended
equally to our patients and to
those who dedicate their lives to
caring for them. As the Malaysia
Ministry of Health has prioritised
mental healthcare under the
National Strategic Plan for Mental
Health, noting cross-sector support
in education, social welfare, and
employment, the Malaysian
Medical Association will continue
to work with the Ministry and
partners to strengthen a
compassionate and accessible
mental health system for all
Malaysians. Physicians must also
lead efforts to normalise
conversations on mental health,
ensure early access to care, and
protect the well-being of our
own health professional colleagues.
By embedding mental health
support into workplace culture
and advocating for fair staffing
and resources, physicians can
collectively combat stigma within our
profession.
Myanmar
As a doctor serving in the war-torn
regions occupied by the Myanmar
military and security forces,
World Mental Health Day holds
a critical reminder of the unseen
wounds affecting citizens’ mental
health and well-being each day.
Since February 2021, the military
coup has led bombardments and
shelling, destroying health facilities
and homes and systematically
blocking essential supplies and
logistical constraints [62,63].
Grappling with profound grief,
anxiety, and despair, the Myanmar
people – more than 54 million
residents – live in the shadow of
fear, loss, and uncertainty about
their futures [62,64]. They are
caught in a precarious balance
between physical survival and
psychological devastation, without
timely or empathetic support
[65]. Research reported that one-
third of Myanmar’s population
had moderately severe to severe
depression due to direct and
indirect conflict-related trauma,
loss of income and personal
properties, and fear for personal
safety [66]. These alarmingly high
national rates of depression and
anxiety represent an urgent public
health emergency that require prompt
attention and resources [66].
The National League for
Democracy government launched
A Roadmap towards Universal
Health Coverage in Myanmar
(2016-2030) in 2015, as an
ambitious health reform plan
that incorporates mental health
into primary care, strengthens
mental health professionals’
training programs, and underscores
professional standards and
supervisory protocols. The
Myanmar Ministry of Health and
Sports Government, led by State
Counsellor Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi, developed the National
Strategic Plan on Noncommunicable
Diseases (2017-2021) in 2016,
as a national framework to combat
non-communicable diseases and
reduce gaps in access to mental
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
38
health services by 2021 [67].
Together with the Myanmar
Medical Association and the
National Mental Health Society,
the government was developing a
mental health law for Parliament’s
approval in 2021, but these
actions were halted due to the military
coup.
As Myanmar physicians serving
on the frontlines, we must
advocate for international funding
dedicated explicitly to trauma-
informed, evidence-based mental
healthcare that is accessible to
all. Since they have endured
injury, displacement, and burnout,
supporting their mental health
is paramount to sustaining care
delivery during protracted conflict.
Support from international
organisations, such as the World
Medical Association, Junior
Doctors Network, WHO, and non-
governmental organisations, can
help bolster Myanmar mental
health capacity and resilience and
ensure the uninterrupted flow
and delivery of essential medical
supplies from border regions
to communities. The pursuit of
justice through international
legal mechanisms, such as the
International Court of Justice
and the International Criminal
Court, can help restore justice,
deter further violations, and
ultimately ease the psychological
scars of war. This global
engagement embodies a moral
imperative for the medical
community worldwide to stand
shoulder to shoulder with
Myanmar healthcare professionals
and patients, to advocate for peace,
justice, and recovery.
Pakistan
World Mental Health Day is a
solemn and urgent reminder for
physicians in Pakistan of the
growing mental health crisis
facing our population. With more
than 251 million citizens, an
estimated 24 million Pakistani
adults have experienced mental
health disorders that require mental
health services, yet an estimated
564 qualified psychiatrists (0.19
per 100,000 people) are available to
serve this enormous need [68].
Mental health disorders are
particularly prevalent among
youth, women, internally displaced
persons, and victims of violence
and poverty. Alarmingly, suicide
rates (9.7 per 100,000 people)
have shown an upward trend,
especially in underserved rural
regions, although underreporting
due to religious, social, and legal
taboos masks the true extent of
the problem [69,70]. Cultural
stigma, lack of mental health
literacy, shortage of mental health
professionals, and low public
spending on mental health–less
than 1% of the national health
budget–have resulted in
significant gaps in prevention,
early diagnosis, and access to care
[68]. For physicians, this day not
only honours the importance of
mental health, but it also reinforces
our responsibility to advocate for
systemic reform, improve education,
and raise awareness to address
this critical dimension of public
health.
In recent years, Pakistan has
gradually recognised the urgency
of mental health through policy
and community-led initiatives,
leaving behind the obsolete Indian
Lunacy Act of 1912 [65]. The
Mental Health Ordinance, approved
in 2001, established the Federal
Mental Health Authority that
aimed to oversee national
standards of patient care,
including regulations for voluntary
and involuntary treatment of
mental healthcare [71]. However,
as these policies lapsed without
Parliament’s vote to permanent
law, the responsibilities transitioned
to the provinces to develop their
own mental health legislation. The
enactment of the Mental Health
Acts in Sindh (2013) and Punjab
(2014) marked a vital step in
protecting the rights of individuals
with mental illnesses and regulating
service delivery [71]. In the
education sector, the School
Mental Health Programme in
Punjab, developed with support
from UNICEF, provides mental
health literacy training to
teachers and counsellors and
incorporates mental well-being
modules in public schools (https://
www.unicef.org/pakistan). As part
of their primary care outreach,
the Lady Health Worker (LHW)
Programme helps train frontline
community health practitioners
to screen for depression, anxiety,
and maternal mental health
concerns [72]. Also, Humraaz
and Breathe Pakistan (https://
breathepakistan.org) are two
digital platforms (e.g. via mobile
apps, chatbots, and helplines)
that provide confidential mental
health counselling, suicide
prevention services, and community
engagement to vulnerable youth
and students across urban Pakistan.
While challenges remain, these
initiatives demonstrate a growing
political and public momentum
to prioritise mental health within
our broader health systems and
communities.
Physicians in Pakistan and
worldwide must become proactive
agents of mental health
advocacy and reform. We must
extend our roles beyond clinical
boundaries to become educators,
counsellors, community leaders,
and champions for policy change.
Mental health screening and
referral must become routine in
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
39
primary care settings. Medical
curricula at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels must integrate
psychiatry and mental health as
core subjects, rather than elective
coursework. Moreover, international
cooperation must be fostered
to share best practices, training,
and digital health tools, especially
for low- and middle-income
countries. As physicians, we can
advocate for national governments,
global health organisations,
and professional associations to
commit to sustained investment in
mental health infrastructure and
destigmatization. Let this World
Mental Health Day serve as an
awareness campaign and call to
collective action to restore dignity,
resilience, and hope to millions in
silence.
Peru
Peru is a South American nation
with 34 million residents, with
55 different indigenous groups
(estimated seven million people)
with different languages [73].
According to the Peru Ministry
of Health, mental health represents
one of the main public health
challenges in Peru, with one in
three Peruvians developing a
mental health disorder (with
depression and anxiety as most
common) throughout their life
[74]. Before recent mental health
reforms in 2012, less than 10% of
Peruvians diagnosed with a mental
health disorder requiring a clinical
intervention actually received
timely treatment [74]. Still today,
significant barriers remain in
accessing mental health care due
to distance from health facilities,
economic hardship, language
barriers, and stigma. As the Ministry
of Health reported more than 1.8
million mental health services
in 2023, and more than 900,000
individuals sought care during
the first half of 2024, the
magnitude of this healthcare demand
will require the health system to
expand the coverage of healthcare
services [75].
Over the past three decades,
Peruvian leaders have advanced
national dialogue and action to
incorporate mental health into
the public agenda. First, the General
Health Law (Law 26842) was
approved in 1997, with Article 11
confirming that individuals had
rights to prevent and seek care
for mental health disorders. The
Law 29889 was approved in
2012, enhancing patients’ rights
to mental healthcare; however,
it was replaced by the Mental
Health Law (Law No. 30947)
in 2019, guaranteeing universal
access with a community-based
approach and enabling the
implementation of more than
250 Community Mental Health
Centers throughout the country
[76-78]. Furthermore, the Ministry
of Health has led the expansion
of the required social service
program (Rural Medical Service,
SERUMS) for psychologists
in marginalised communities.
Regarding the health team’s mental
health, professional societies like
the Medical College of Peru are
developing innovative programs,
like ‘RESPIRA’ promoted by the
Peruvian Medical College’s Young
Physicians Committee, that provide
comprehensive support including
mental health services, legal
support, and continued medical
education to SERUMS physicians
[79]. These efforts reflect the
growing leadership and political
commitment from different
organisations to develop a more
comprehensive, sustainable,
and patient-centered model
for care. Notably, the Peruvian
Medical College summarises this
commitment with a clear message:
“We take care of you, so you can continue
taking care of others.”
Globally, health systems must
recognise and guarantee mental
health services as a fundamental
right for all citizens. Special
attention should be provided to
countries with high prevalence
rates of mental health disorders
citizens and significant barriers
in accessing timely treatment. As
physicians in Peru, Latin American
region, and the world, our calling
as physicians is to serve as leaders
of change, where we are committed
to the early detection, prevention,
and education of communicable
and non-communicable diseases,
including mental health disorders.
We must collectively advocate for
sustainable policies that ensure
dignified and equitable care for all
citizens. By caring for the mental
health and well-being of ourselves,
our patients, and our wider
community, we can strengthen hope
and dignity for all and work together
to build a better future of our
countries.
Philippines
Each year, as 10 October
approaches, Filipino physicians
and advocates observe World
Mental Health Day as a crucial
reminder of an ongoing and deeply
rooted public health crisis. Mental
illness in the Philippines remains
shrouded in stigma and neglect,
with millions of Filipinos –
particularly the youth – silently
struggling. From 2013 to 2021,
the rate of moderate to severe
depressive symptoms among
Filipino adolescents more than
doubled from 9.6% to 20.9%,
reflecting a growing need for
urgent and sustained attention [80].
According to the Department of
Health, over 3.6 million Filipinos
are currently living with mental,
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
40
neurological or substance use
disorders, and the country has
fewer than one mental health
professional for every 100,000
people [81]. Yet despite the passage
of the landmark Mental Health
Act (Republic Act 11036) in 2018,
critical gaps persist – mental health
receives only about 5% of the
national health budget, and services
remain largely concentrated in urban
areas, leaving rural and conflict-
affected communities behind
[81,82].
In response, both the
government and civil society
have launched a range of
initiatives aimed at promoting more
accessible and community-based
mental healthcare services. The
WHO’s Special Initiative for
Mental Health, through the Mental
Health Gap Action Programme
(mhGAP), is being implemented
in underserved areas such as
the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM), where barangay health
practitioners and nurses are trained
to provide culturally sensitive mental
healthcare [83]. Student-led
movements, such as the Usapang
Isipan initiative by the Phi Kappa
Mu fraternity (https://www.
phikappamu.com/web5/lorem-
ipsum-4/) in collaboration with
the Philippine General Hospital
Department of Psychiatry, have
helped normalise mental health
conversations in universities
through workshops, webinars,
and peer support circles. In April
2025, the Philippine Mental
Health Association (PMHA)
launched the “Wellness on Wheels”
mobile outreach program, which
provided free consultations and
mental health education in schools
and universities across Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao, reaching
over 8,000 students within just a
few months (https://www.facebook.
com/PMHAofficial).
Looking ahead, the Department
of Health has committed to
increasing the mental health
budget to 8% by 2026 and 10%
by 2028 [81]. Leaders launched
the National Adolescent Mental
Health Roadmap 2025-2030,
which targets suicide prevention and
mental health promotion among
vulnerable groups such as lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and
queer or questioning (LGBTQ+)
and indigenous youth [81].
Additionally, the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) has
approved the implementation of
a mandatory Continuing Mental
Health Education (CMHE)
module for all licensed physicians
starting in 2026, aiming to
better equip health professionals
with the skills needed for
early detection, referral, and
basic psychosocial support
[82]. For Filipino physicians, this
evolving landscape presents both
a challenge and a responsibility
– to move beyond awareness and
become active agents of change.
By working alongside schools,
local governments, and community-
based organisations, they can
help dismantle stigma, advocate
for stronger policies, and ensure
that mental healthcare is inclusive
and far-reaching. This World
Mental Health Day, the message
is clear: mental health is a right,
not a privilege – and every Filipino
deserves a chance to be heard, to
heal, and to thrive.
South Africa
World Mental Health Day is a
reminder to all physicians that
“there is no health without mental
health,” and that a society’s full
potential depends on the mental
well-being of its people. One
national survey examined mental
health disorders among South
African citizens in 2022, noting
that 25.7% experienced depression
and anxiety symptoms, with
higher rates among perinatal
women (20-40%), people living
with HIV (over 40%), and people
with non-communicable diseases
(66%) [84]. The high prevalence
of mental health disorders
intersects with the country’s
quadruple burden of disease
– communicable diseases (e.g.
tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS), non-
communicable diseases (e.g. cancer,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes),
maternal and child health issues,
and injuries and violence – further
intensifying the public health
challenge.
Physicians are not immune
to physical and mental health
concerns, as an estimated 53.7%
have reported depressive symptoms
(twice the rate in the general
population) and 46.2% have
experienced burnout [85]. These
overlapping conditions increase
the risk of medical errors, reduce
the quality of care, and negatively
affect health outcomes. Despite
this observed national burden,
mental health services remain
underfunded, with treatment
gaps reaching up to 92% [84].
The inequitable distribution of
resources in South Africa
contributes to shortages in
skilled personnel, infrastructure
constraints, stigma, and limited
service coverage [86]. As
insufficient data systems hinder
the ability to plan, monitor,
and evaluate services effectively,
urgent, coordinated, and targeted
interventions are required to
reduce this persistent gap.
The Government of South Africa
has actively led strides to develop,
scale, and sustain initiatives to
achieve citizens’ mental health needs.
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
41
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In 2022, South Africa’s National
Mental Health Policy Framework
and Strategic Plan (2023–2030)
established a vision to achieve
comprehensive, high-quality,
integrated mental health promotion,
prevention, care, treatment, and
rehabilitation by 2030 [87]. The
central priority aimed to integrate
mental health into all levels of
the South African health system,
ensuring that services were
accessible, coordinated, and person-
centred. To operationalize this
vision, primary healthcare (PHC)
re-engineering initiatives embed
mental health into routine PHC
services and empower nurses
through task-sharing to address
the severe shortages of psychiatrists
(0.31 per 100,000 people) [84].
For example, the Ward-Based
Outreach Teams (WBOT) operate
within local communities to
provide education, facilitate early
identification (screening) of mental
health concerns, and ensure timely
referral for appropriate care. In
addition, the Integrated School
Health Programme (ISHP) provides
psychosocial screening alongside
resilience training, counselling, and
peer support, while antenatal clinics
have routine visits with screening
tools for depression, anxiety, and
suicide risk.
As physicians, as a nation, and as
a global community, we have the
duty to advance mental health as
a public good by strengthening
policy implementation and
integration, ensuring adequate
resources, and embedding mental
health promotion and prevention
across all government sectors. It
calls for collective action to
challenge stigma, build community
capacity, and create supportive
environments by addressing social
determinants (e.g. poverty, violence,
inequality) through a whole-
of-society approach. Structured
resilience-building and well-being
interventions implemented beyond
formal healthcare settings can
help empower healthcare providers
and enhance community wellbeing
[88]. Reorienting health services
toward prevention and community-
based care, reducing reliance on
institutionalisation, and removing
barriers to access can strengthen
health systems, safeguard
populations, and bring us closer
to the ultimate goal of “no
health without mental health” [87].
Spain
In Spain, mental health has
become a major public health
concern, especially in the wake of
the COVID-19 pandemic, as the
prevalence of diagnosed mental
disorders (e.g. anxiety, sleep, and
depressive disorders) rose from
11.1% in 2013 to 17.2% in 2022
[89]. In 2022, 34% of the national
population reported at least
one mental health diagnosis, with
prevalence rates climbing to 40%
in adults over age 50 and 50%
in adults over age 85 [89]. Over
the past decade, data from the
Spain’s Ministry of Health
reflected this trend, demonstrating
a marked rise in antidepressant
and anxiolytic prescriptions, and
placing Spain among the highest
rates in Europe [90,91]. Health
leaders have concluded that
structural challenges (e.g. low ratios
of mental health professionals per
capita) and social determinants
(e.g. precarious employment,
housing difficulties, poverty, gender-
based violence) further exacerbate
mental health disparities across
the population [91,92].
Guided by the WHO’s
Comprehensive Mental Health
Action Plan 2013–2030, Ministry
of Health leaders have taken
important policy steps to
strengthen mental healthcare across
Spain [5]. In 2023, the Office
of the Mental Health
Commissioner (Comisionado de
Salud Mental) was established
as a high-level office within
the Ministry of Health and tasked
with coordinating interministerial
and governmental action. In 2024,
the Spain Ministry of Health
adopted the Mental Health
Action Plan 2025–2027, setting
strategic priorities that included
reinforcing human resources,
promoting community-based care,
reducing stigma, and integrating
a human rights-based approach
[92]. Notably, for the first time,
this plan included dedicated
funding for programs addressing
healthcare professionals’ mental
health, such as supporting the
Integral Care Programme for Sick
Physicians (Programa de Atención
Integral al Médico Enfermo,
PAIME) initiative of the Spanish
General Medical Council (OMC).
In 2024, health leaders approved
the National Suicide Prevention
Action Plan 2025–2027, which
builds on previous initiatives
and emphasises cross-sectoral
collaboration, early detection,
and crisis support, including
maintaining the national
024-suicide prevention helpline
[93]. In 2025, health
leaders launched the Work and
Mental Health: A Roadmap for
Health Administrations in Spain
(Trabajo y Salud Mental: Hoja de
Ruta para las Administraciones
Sanitarias en España), as a guide to
help identify, manage, and prevent
mental health concerns related to
employment or workplace stressors
[94].
On this World Mental Health
Day, we call on all governments,
health systems, professional
organisations, and civil society
to incorporate mental health in
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the development of local and
national policies for Spain, the
European region, and the world.
We can collectively move beyond
rhetoric, ensuring sustainable
funding, integrated and community-
based services, and effective
prevention strategies rooted in social
determinants and human rights.
Healthcare professionals play a
crucial role in this effort, both
as providers of clinical and public
health services and individuals
seeking safe, supportive work
environments. By committing to
these goals, we can build healthier,
more equitable societies where
mental health is recognised as
fundamental to well-being and
human dignity.
Taiwan
Suicide is a worldwide issue and
has become a great concern facing
the post-COVID-19 era. In
Taiwan, suicide became one of
the top 10 leading causes of
death in 1997, as the standard
suicide mortality rate had rapidly
and steadily increased from 10.0 in
1997 to 16.6 in 2005 per 100,000
people [95]. The Department of
Health initiated a National Suicide
Prevention Project and founded
the Taiwan Suicide Prevention
Center, the standard suicide
mortality rate decreased from
16.8 in 2006 to 12.7 in 2023 per
100,000 people, effectively dropped
out of the top 10 leading causes of
death since 2010. However, recent
statistics of Ministry of Health
and Welfare (MOHW) indicated
that 4,062 individuals died by
suicide in 2024, with the standard
suicide mortality rate or 13.4,
making it once again a significant
health priority [95]. Rising suicidal
deaths among people aged 15–64
highlight the urgent need for
upstream prevention, targeted
interventions, and robust social
support systems.
Aligning with the UN SDGs
and in consideration of global
development trends, Taiwan has
developed national health policies
that increasingly emphasise mental
health [96]. The country’s mental
health policy and associated national
strategies based on the Mental
Health Act (1990; 2022, revised)
and Suicide Prevention Act
(2019) have evolved from a
treatment-oriented model to a
more comprehensive approach
that prioritises prevention and
promotion, as well as protection
of the patient’s rights and interests
[97]. Current reforms with a
six-year plan, launched by the
President in 2025, highlight
the Mental Health Resilience
Program for All People in
Taiwan. Guided by public health
principles, the program prioritises
resilience building, improvements
in mental health literacy, and
the cultivation of supportive
environments across all stages
of life [98,99]. The Ministry of
Health and Welfare (MOHW)
coordinates central-local
partnerships and inter-ministerial
collaboration to embed prevention
efforts within schools, workplaces,
families, and communities.
The implementation strategies
of Taiwan’s mental health policy
include strengthening regional
service networks, expanding access
to counseling, and promoting
evidence-based, culturally
appropriate programs [99]. Specific
initiatives target vulnerable
populations such as perinatal
women, Indigenous peoples, new
immigrants, individuals with
disabilities, and older adults.
Mental health promotion is
integrated in education through
age-appropriate curricula and
teacher training, workplaces through
labor–enterprise partnerships, and
communities through multi-level
advocacy. Continuous monitoring
and research ensure that policies
remain adaptive, cost-effective, and
culturally relevant. For example,
suicide prevention remains a
cornerstone of Taiwan’s mental
health framework. Policies emphasise
early identification, awareness-
raising, stigma reduction, and
referral pathways across school,
community, and workplace settings
[100]. Particularly, a National
Suicide Surveillance and Aftercare
System (NSSS) was launched in
2006, to register suicide attempts
nationwide and provide pertinent
care [101]. Local surveillance
data from New Taipei City of
Taiwan showed that the aftercare
programs for suicide ideators and
family members of adolescent
suicide ideators (aged 
≤ 
19 years
old) decreased subsequent episodes
of suicidal behaviour [102]. Most
recent MOHW statistics indicated
rising suicidal deaths among
people aged 15–64 highlight the
urgent need for upstream prevention,
targeted interventions, and robust
social support systems [95]. By
integrating health promotion,
interagency collaboration, and
evidence-based strategies, Taiwan
seeks to reduce suicide rates while
advancing the overall well-being of
its population.
Taiwan has a well-defined heath
network with quality services,
including a general medical care
network, emergency care network,
mental health networks, school
mental health networks, and a
national social safety network to
provide people with medical and
mental healthcare [103]. Almost
all individuals are covered by
national health insurance and
can seek mental health services if
necessary. To enhance the public
awareness of mental health issues
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in Taiwan, mental health
organisations collaborate with
central and local governments
and hold a series of activities
during the “Mental Health Month”
from 10 September (World Suicide
Prevention Day) thru 10 October
(World Mental Health Day). In
conclusion, the Taiwan Medical
Association with 57,000 member
physicians plays an important
role and is actively involved in
the implementation of mental
health policies. Mental healthcare
in Taiwan is comprehensive and
cross-disciplinary and needs more
successful involvement of clinical
mental health professionals based
on the established infrastructure
and valid implementation of the
national strategy.
Thailand
Over the past nine years, the
Thailand Ministry of Public
Health has reported a significant
increase in the number of patients
diagnosed with mental health
disorders, rising from 1.39 million
in 2015 to 2.7 million in 2024
[104]. The most prevalent mental
health diagnoses include depression,
anxiety, and substance abuse,
and recent national surveys
estimate that one in six Thai
adults may experience a
diagnosable mental health
condition during their lifetime.
An estimated 10 million people
in Thailand may be living with
undiagnosed and untreated mental
health issues, a figure that exceeds
the global average [105,106].
Furthermore, mental health
patients with drug abuse problems
account for a nearly 19.1% of
cases, and almost half of
individuals involved in violence
(47.7%) have a history of mental
illness or substance abuse. These
figures highlight a growing public
health challenge that requires
urgent and sustained intervention.
To address this burden, Thailand
has introduced several important
initiatives. First, the Mental
Health Act B.E. 2551, adopted
in 2008, established the Mental
Health Board, and its 2019
amendment strengthened patients’
rights and protections under the
universal coverage scheme [107].
Second, the National Mental
Health Policy (2020–2030) was
adopted in 2020, aims to integrate
mental healthcare into all levels
of the health system, with a
focus on equity, prevention, and
community-based care [108].
Third, the Department of Mental
Health developed guidelines for
counselling services, which are
certified every five years to ensure
quality and accountability, with
the goal of expanding access
to psychological support for all
citizens regardless of psychiatric
diagnosis. Ongoing collaboration
between the government, private
sector, and local communities
will be critical to close the
treatment gap and ensure that
mental health services are both
accessible and sustainable.
Given the significant and
growing mental health needs
in Thailand, it is crucial for
physicians to lead efforts to
advocate for greater mental health
integration into primary care
and champion collaborative care
models. Physicians can also play
an active role in community-
based initiatives to reduce stigma,
foster public awareness, and
encourage early help-seeking.
By engaging in these activities,
Thai physicians can ensure that
mental healthcare is delivered
with compassion, accessibility, and
cultural sensitivity. Ultimately,
their leadership can help
transform the country’s mental
health landscape, reduce suffering,
and enhance the well-being of
the Thai population.
Trinidad and Tobago
World Mental Health Day serves
as a stark reminder that mental
health should be at the forefront
of our overall health objectives,
and as 10 October approaches each
year, it resonates with a special
urgency for us as healthcare
professionals in Trinidad and
Tobago. According to the data,
mental, neurological, and substance-
related disorders, along with the
tragic death rate from suicide,
account for 16% of our nation’s
disability-adjusted life years and
nearly one-third of the years spent
living with a disability [109]. A
study examining the mental health
impact of COVID-19 lockdowns
on people living with non-
communicable diseases in Trinidad
and Tobago revealed that of
the respondents with a non-
communicable disease, 36.4%
and 32.7% screened positive for
anxiety and depression, respectively
[110]. These findings highlight
the heavy psychological toll that
the pandemic has placed on an
already vulnerable group within our
population.
In 2025, the Trinidad and
Tobago Medical Association
(T&TMA) dedicated its Annual
Medical Research Conference
to the theme of mental health,
emphasising the transition
“from surviving to thriving in
the workplace” and showcasing
research contributions in the
field of mental health. On a
national level, the Pan American
Health Organization’s Trinidad
and Tobago office hosted the
WHO’s Quality Rights Train the
Trained Workshop in February
2025. Over 30 participants attended
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this workshop, including mental
health professionals from the
Ministry of Health, the Regional
Health Authorities (of the Trinidad
and Tobago healthcare system), and
non-governmental organisations.
This workshop offered professionals
the relevant knowledge and skills
to uphold human rights, ensuring
that persons living with mental
health conditions receive the care
and respect to which they are
entitled [111].
As medical professionals, we must
go beyond our clinics and
hospitals to make a difference on
World Mental Health Day. To
confirm that early detection
and support are not limited to
specialised settings, we must locally
push for a more robust integration
of mental health into primary care.
At the regional level, collaborations
should be strengthened to address
our common issues through research,
training, and shared knowledge
exchanges of best practices. We
need to advocate for policies in
favour of mental health, support
equal distribution of resources,
and be part of the global effort to
eliminate the stigma associated
with mental illness. The journey to
protecting our own mental health,
building healthy workplaces, and
helping our co-workers starts
with us. We must collaboratively
support efforts in striving to make
mental health care accessible and
sustainable to everyone.
Tunisia
World Mental Health Day reminds
physicians and the general public
about the global burden of mental
health disorders, the associated
economic, political, and social
challenges that influence mental
health care, and the need to reduce
stigma [112]. Tunisia is a North
African nation of 12 million people
with borders to Algeria, Libya,
and the Mediterranean Sea. Since
the Jasmine Revolution in 2011,
the country has faced significant
health system challenges in
ensuring equitable access to mental
health care [113]. One national
study, conducted in 2015,
documented that an estimated
52% of survey respondents were
diagnosed with at least one mental
disorder, noting that one-third
of cases had comorbidies [114].
According to the Swiss Refugee
Council (SRK), the doctor-patient
ratio has been steadily declining,
and as of 2025, the country has
about 1.25 psychiatrists per 10,000
residents, with most services
centralised in large institutions
such as Razi Hospital located in La
Manouba [114,115]. Compounding
these statistics, many psychiatrists
tend to concentrate in private
practice in urban areas, leaving
rural regions and public facilities
underserved with limited access to
mental health care. Also, citizens
often seek help from traditional
healers rather than consulting a
mental health professional, due
to associated stigma, high costs
associated with mental healthcare
(e.g. 40-80 Tunisian dinars for an
initial session), and few psychiatrists
working in public hospitals and
rural areas. Hence, physicians and
citizens can use World Mental
Health Day as a catalyst for
national dialogue and a platform
for solidarity in supporting mental
health across the lifespan.
Specific priorities to the Tunisia
Ministry of Health include: 1)
reducing use and risks associated
with psychoactive substances;
2) preventing suicide risk; 3)
reviewing legislation on psychiatric
hospitalizations; 4) and expanding
psychiatric care to ensure equitable
access [112]. Specifically, the
Tunisia Ministry of Health
(psychiatrists and epidemiologists)
is collaborating with the WHO
to conduct a national mental
health survey, alongside a STEPS
(STEPwise approach to non-
communicable disease risk factor
surveillance) survey on chronic
diseases and risk factors, in 2025.
The mental health section
– using the WHO Flexible
Interview for ICD-11 (FLI-11)
– seeks to collect data on lifetime
prevalence, one-year prevalence
and current prevalence of selected
mental health disorders in adults
and children.
The Tunisian health system has
actively promoted political
commitment to reduce the mental
health burden through policies
and community initiatives. First,
the National Strategy for Mental
Health Promotion, adopted in
2013, provides a framework for
prevention, awareness, and improved
access to care across the country.
Second, the Tunisian Association
for the Promotion and Prevention
of Mental Health (ATPPSM)
organises year-round activities,
including events on World Mental
Health Day, community campaigns,
conferences at high schools
and universities, trainings (e.g.
Responding to Experienced and
Anticipated Discrimination,
READ), community campaigns,
workshops with nurses and
caregivers, and social media
posts to educate the public, share
resources, and combat stigma
[116,117]. In addition, the Tunisian
Psychiatric Society commemorated
World Mental Health Week from
9-14 October 2024, by coordinating
workshops led by mental health
professionals to raise mental health
awareness among high school and
university students. They also held
public screenings of films on mental
health (Tunisian film, “Communion”)
across four cities, showing the
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struggles living with psychosis or
other mental health disorders, to
foster understanding and empathy.
These initiatives reflect a multi-
level approach, emphasising the
need to combine policy, education,
and community engagement to
promote mental health awareness and
advocacy.
In Tunisia, where mental illness
remains heavily stigmatised,
physicians are strategic leaders
to advocate for the integration of
mental health into primary health
care, support community-based
mental health programs, and
coordinate public awareness
campaigns to educate citizens
about mental health disorders and
available resources. For example,
they can connect with community
leaders and develop extracurricular
activities, such as painting and
sculpture workshops, that can
provide theraupeutic activities
that reduce stress and strengthen
community bonds. Also, physicians
can promote the need for
increased resources for training
programs in psychiatry, child
psychiatry, and psychology, ensuring
that relevant medications (like
psychotropics) are available in
underserved areas, and establishing
psychological support programs
for caregivers. Physicians can share
up-to-date research findings on
the mental health burden at
scientific conferences as well as
collectively contribute to national
dialogue to reinforce medical
education and training and
defend patients’ rights and dignity
when seeking quality mental
healthcare. By cultivating a resilient
generation – starting from primary
school – we can have protected
spaces for dialogue on pressing
health issues such as mental health
and well-being.
United Kingdom
World Mental Health Day
serves as an important reminder
for physicians in the United
Kingdom of the deepening
mental health crisis within
our population and our health
workforce. The 2023-2024 Office
for National Statistics survey
revealed that 22.6% of adults
aged 16 to 64 now experience
common mental health conditions,
as compared to 17.6% in 2007
and 18.9% in 2014 [118]. Of
particular risk, young adults
aged 16 to 24 have reported a
rising prevalence in mental health
conditions (25.8%), in addition
to lifetime non-suicidal self-harm
(10.3%) and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (13.9%)
[118]. According to a survey
conducted by the British Medical
Association, over 80% of doctors
reported experiencing work-
related stress, with nearly half
considering leaving the profession
due to burnout [119]. These
statistics demonstrate a growing
mental health burden that
directly impacts patients and the
medical workforce.
Over the past decade, the United
Kingdom has implemented several
national initiatives to improve
mental health awareness and
care. First, the National Health
Service (NHS) Long Term Plan,
launched in 2019, committed to
expanding mental health services,
including increased funding for
community-based care and crisis
response teams [120]. Second, the
British Medical Association has
led sustained efforts to advocate
for physician mental well-being
through its “Caring for the
Mental Health of the Medical
Workforce” campaign, which
calls for improved workplace
support, destigmatisation, and
accessible psychological services
for healthcare staff. Finally,
the Public Health England has
launched public-facing initiatives,
such as the “Every Mind Matters”
campaign, to help normalise
mental health conversations
through accessible digital
resources and nationwide media
campaigns (https://www.nhs.uk/
every-mind-matters/).
The call to action is clear: we must
embed mental health as a
core component of healthcare
delivery, policy, and professional
culture. Physicians have a unique
responsibility to champion
evidence-based mental healthcare,
advocate for system-level reforms,
and lead by example in fostering
supportive, psychologically
safe environments within our
workplaces. Collaboration between
national medical associations,
governments, and communities
is vital to close the care gap,
promote mental health literacy,
and ensure that mental well-
being is recognised not only as a
health priority but also as a human
right.
Uruguay
For the Medical Union of
Uruguay (Sindicato Médico del
Uruguay, SMU) and the Psychiatric
Society of Uruguay, World
Mental Health Day represents
an opportunity to reaffirm our
commitment to advancing toward
a more humane, accessible, and
dignity-centered health system
for individuals living with mental
disorders. According to the
Uruguay Ministry of Health data,
suicide rates were reported as
23.2 (per 100,000 people) in
2023 and 21.4 (per 100,000 people)
in 2024, placing Uruguay among
the highest rates in the region
[121]. Although the prevalence
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of mental disorders (e.g. anxiety
and depression disorders) follows
the increasing global growth trend,
the gap in access to specialised
services, wait times for psychiatric
care, access to mental health
benefits, and adequate integration
of mental health into primary
care, especially in areas with
lower coverage, remain significant
challenges toward reducing.
The Government of Uruguay
adopted the Law 18.211 (Ley
18.211) in 2007, which formally
established the National
Integrated Health System (SNIS)
and set the guiding principles
of universality, equity, quality,
solidarity, and sustainability –
including mental healthcare. The
Mental Health Law 19.529 (Ley
de Salud Mental No. 19.529) was
adopted in 2017, seeking to
guarantee rights to mental health
protection, human dignity, and
personal integrity through universal
coverage [122,123]. The Ministry
of Health leaders supported
this interdisciplinary, inter-
institutional, and community-
based approach to help increase
awareness for primary care and
health professionals’ training in
mental health, including updated
clinical guidelines for depression
published in 2024 [124]. Due to
the national burden of high suicide
rates, health leaders approved
the National Suicide Prevention
Strategy 2021-2025 in 2020, to
help support the Mental Health
Law and identify mental health
concerns in primary care [125].
The Ministry of Health, together
with the Medical Union of
Uruguay, and other institutions,
have regularly coordinated
prevention campaigns and
continuing education programs
that focus on training healthcare
professionals to reinforce clinical
competencies in recognising mental
health symptoms, making timely
referrals to specialised services,
and combating stigma in their
clinical and community practice
[126-128].
Our call to action as physicians
in Uruguay, the region, and the
world focuses on defending and
expanding mental healthcare,
education, and advocacy. We
must advocate for national
health systems that actively
implement and reinforce mental
health laws and policies as key
tools to ensure equitable access,
comprehensive and integrated
care, and human rights protection
for all citizens. As professional
medical organisations, like the
Uruguay Society of Psychiatry and
Medical Union of Uruguay, we
must promote community-based
training in mental health with a
community focus, as well as seek
collaboration with communities,
schools, and civil organisations to
identify ways to expand coverage
and reduce stigma. At the regional
level, we can collaborate with
scientific associations to share best
practices and evidence, as well as
serve as subject matter experts for
national policy decision-making
with governments and civil sectors.
Conclusion
“Transforming mental health services
is one of the most pressing public
health challenges. Investing in mental
health means investing in people,
communities, and economies – an
investment no country can afford
to neglect. Every government and
every leader has a responsibility to
act with urgency and to ensure
that mental health care is treated
not as a privilege, but as a basic
right for all.” – WHO Director-
General, Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus
The global commemoration
of World Mental Health Day
highlights the urgent need for
political leadership and governance
to support relevant policies that
integrate mental health services
into patient-centred primary
care. The mental health burden
worldwide contributes to an
estimated 15% of years of life
lost, yet the true burden across
geographic regions may be
substantially underestimated,
underscoring the importance of
accelerating action to achieve the
SDG targets [1]. With lessons
learned during the COVID-19
pandemic, the “Access to Services
– Mental Health in Catastrophes
and Emergencies” theme offers a
timely space for health professionals
to reflect on their clinical and
community health roles with
patients, families, and caregivers.
Notably, they can work together
to identify knowledge gaps and
barriers that influence care,
support novel communication
approaches that enhance patient-
provider rapport and health
literacy, and design evidence-based
interventions that can be adapted
to the needs of local communities.
The Fourth High-level Meeting
of the UN General Assembly,
focusing on the prevention and
control of non-communicable
diseases and the promotion of
mental health and well-being,
will be held on 25 September
2025. Global leaders can shape
global discourse by advocating for
increased political investment
to bolster national strategies to
scale-up policies and planning
for mental health services aligned
with international human rights
standards [129]. Representing
diverse clinical and surgical
specialties, WMA members can
focus on building clinical and
research capacity within their
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
47
BACK TO CONTENTS
institutions, developing prevention
programs and social support for
patients, families, and caregivers,
promoting evidence-based clinical
and public health research, and
increasing public awareness of
mental health to reduce stigma
[130]. This collective article
underscores physicians’ robust
leadership efforts to contribute
to policy development, support
health professions’ training,
and promote community-based
educational campaigns across the
African, Americas, Asian, East
Mediterranean, and Pacific regions.
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WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
55
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
Authors
Péter Zoltán Álmos, MD
President, Hungarian
Medical Chamber
Budapest, Hungary
Damion Basdeo, MBBS
(Dist.), MRCP (UK), Acute
Medicine SCE (UK)
Editorial Chair and Past President,
Trinidad and Tobago Medical
Association (T&TMA)
Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Maria Minerva Calimag,
MD, MSc, PhD
Departments of Pharmacology and
Clinical Epidemiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Surgery,
University of Santo Tomas
Immediate Past President,
Philippine Medical Association
Manila, Philippines
Brian Bih-Jeng Chang, MD
Secretary General, Taiwan
Medical Association
Taipei, Taiwan
Helena Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD
Milken Institute School
of Public Health,
George Washington University
Washington DC, United States
Maymona Choudry, MD, MPH
School of Medicine, Ateneo de
Zamboanga University,
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Basilan Medical Center,
Basilan, Philippines
Tomás Cobo Castro, MD
President, Organización Médica
Colegial (OMC) de España (Spanish
General Medical Council)
Madrid, Spain
Pablo Estrella Porter, MD, MPH
PhD student, Universidad de Valencia
Public Health Specialist, Hospital
Clínico Universitario de Valencia
Valencia, Spain
Rym Ghachem Attia, MD
President, Tunisian Medical
Association (Conseil National
de l’Ordre des Médecins)
Tunis, Tunisia
Cinthya Gonzáles, MD
President, Young Physicians
National Committee
Lima, Peru
Muha Hassan, MBChB, BSc (Hons)
Internal Medicine Trainee, University
Hospitals of Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom
María José Jaramillo-Cartwright,
MD
Instructor,
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
MSc student, Universidad
Andina Simón Bolívar
Quito, Ecuador
Ronnachai Kongsakon, MD,
LLB, MSc, MRC, Psy(T)
Past President, Medical
Association of Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
Ming-Been Lee, MD
Department of Psychiatry, Shin Kong
Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
Siphesihle Mahanjana-Chataika,
MBChB, PGDPH
Senior Public Health Medicine
Registrar, Department of Community
Health, Sefako Makgatho
Health Sciences University
Member. South African
Medical Association
Pretoria, South Africa
Saksham Mehra, BMSc
(Dist.), MBBS (Dist.)
External Affairs Chair,
Trinidad and Tobago Medical
Association (T&TMA)
Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Anderson N’dri, MD
Psychiatry resident, Psychiatric
Hospital of Bingerville
University Felix Houphouët
Boigny of Cocody
Chairperson, JDN Ivory Coast
Abidjan, Republic of Ivory Coast
Muhammad Ashraf Nizami,
MD, PhD, FRCOS (Orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Past President, Pakistan
Medical Association
Past Councillor, World
Medical Association
President, Pakistan Association
of Preventable Ailments
Lahore, Pakistan
Linda Seldere
Specialist of Public Health,
Scientific Institute of Mental Health,
National Centre of Mental Health
Riga, Latvia
Liene Sile, MD, PhD
Psychiatrist,
Scientific Institute of Mental Health,
National Centre of Mental Health
Riga, Latvia
Ana Maria Soleibe Mejía, MD
Specialist in Public Economy
President, Federación Médica Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia
Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, MD, MBA
President-Elect, Malaysian
Medical Association
Founder & CEO, Careclinics
Healthcare Services
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wunna Tun, MBBS, MD
Fellow, Medical Education
JDN Secretary
Yangon, Myanmar
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56
WMA Members Call for Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being
BACK TO CONTENTS
Ayda Linda Wanjiku, MBChB,
MMed (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
FIGO One World Exchange Fellow
Convenor, Physician Well-being
Committee, Kenya Medical Association
Nairobi, Kenya
Chia-Yi Wu, RN, PhD
School of Nursing, National Taiwan
University College of Medicine
Taipei, Taiwan
Uruguay Society of Psychiatry
(Sociedad de Psiquiatría del Uruguay)
Montevideo, Uruguay
Bienvenido Veras-Estévez,
MD, MPH
Department of Epidemiology,
Hospital Regional Universitario
José María Cabral y Báez &
Faculty of Health Sciences,
Universidad Católica del Cibao
Santiago de los Caballeros &
La Vega, Dominican Republic
57
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Introduction
The 78th World Health Assembly
(WHA78), which was held from
19-27 May 2025 in Geneva,
Switzerland, marked a significant
milestone for youth engagement
in global health diplomacy [1].
At a time of overlapping health
emergencies, climate crises, and
workforce challenges, the Junior
Doctors Network (JDN) of the
World Medical Association (WMA)
was recognised as a dynamic voice,
bridging the perspectives of early-
career physicians with the highest
levels of health policymaking.
Preparation for WHA78 began
months earlier through the JDN’s
pre-WHA Program, a capacity-
building initiative designed to
equip junior doctors with the tools
to understand global health policy.
From March to May 2025, a series
of four virtual workshops addressed
intervention writing, advocacy
and strategic communication,
and structural barriers faced by
youth from the Global South in
accessing High-Level meetings.
The Organizing Committee was
led by Dr. Mehr Muhammad
Adeel Riaz, JDN’s Socio-Medical
Affairs Officer from Pakistan,
alongside members based in
the United Kingdom, Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, and Egypt
(Photo 1). This diverse team
ensured that the program reflected
both global policy priorities and the
lived realities of underrepresented
geographic regions.
The program culminated in a hybrid
two-day event on 17-18 May 2025,
hosted at the WMA Headquarters
in Ferney-Voltaire, France. High-
level speakers, representing the
World Health Organization
(WHO), Permanent Member
States’ missions, academia, and civil
society, emphasised the importance
of youth physicians in shaping
global health governance. Interactive
sessions provided delegates with
practical tools to facilitate their
advocacy efforts and participation in
WHA and subsequently to translate
the information in their clinical
workplace.
WHA78 Thematic Priorities and
WMA Involvement
The WHA78 convened at a
critical juncture for global health
governance. Priority themes included
universal health coverage anchored
in primary healthcare, health and
care workforce sustainability, mental
health under the Comprehensive
Mental Health Action Plan 2013–
2030, WHO’s role in health
emergencies, health conditions
in occupied territories, Pandemic
Treaty negotiations, climate change
and health, and sustainable WHO
financing.
During the WHA78, five
Organizing Committee members
and 11 JDN members represented
the WMA and contributed
five formal statements to these
agenda areas: Non-Communicable
Diseases; Mental Health and
Social Connection; Health and
Care Workforce; Health in the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, and Antimicrobial
Resistance [2]. They represented
the World Health Professional
Alliance (WHPA) and shared three
constituency statements: Universal
Health Coverage, Climate Change
and Health, and Global Architecture
Empowering Youth in Global Health Diplomacy:
The Junior Doctors Network at WHA78
Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz Pablo Estrella Porter
Junior Doctors Network at WHA78
Photo 1: Pre-WHA Organizing Committee along with JDN Pre-WHA delegates at WMA Headquarters in
Ferney-Voltaire, France, in May 2025. Credits: JDN
58
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for Emergency Response [2].
Youth Leadership in Action
The WMA JDN delegation
represented 11 countries across
five WHO regions, with strong
participation from low- and middle-
income countries. Notably, women
made up 73% of the delegation,
reflecting WMA JDN’s ongoing
commitment to gender equity
in leadership. Dr. Pablo Estrella
Porter, JDN Chairperson, led
the delegation inside the United
Nations (UN) Headquarters (Palais
des Nations). Delegates engaged
in bilateral meetings with WHO
staff members, such as the WHO
Youth Council side events (Photo 2).
The WHA offered an important
moment for JDN members to meet
with external partners, including
the International Federation of
Medical Students’ Associations
(IFMSA), World Federation
of Public Health Associations
(WFPHA), International Student
Surgical Network (InciSion),
and International Pharmaceutical
Students Federation (IPSF). It also
allowed JDN members to participate
in youth-focused side events, such
as the WHO Youth Hub and the
Taiwan Healthcare Youth Alliance’s
forum on youth empowerment.
Recognising that influence extends
beyond the UN Headquarters,
the WMA JDN delegation
implemented a coordinated
communications strategy with the
WMA’s Communications Team.
Across LinkedIn, Instagram, and X,
delegates shared real-time updates,
daily highlights, and personal
reflections on the WHA proceedings
and side events of the respective
day. These posts showcased both
technical developments, such as the
unanimous adoption of the WHO
Pandemic Agreement, and the
human side of navigating complex
global health diplomacy spaces.
The Road Ahead
The WHA78 marked a milestone
for youth representation, noting
greater participation from Member
States and youth delegates as well
as evidence of a dedicated space
for youth voices. The WMA
JDN delegation identified two
clear areas to strengthen impact.
First, by engaging earlier with
communications and content
creation, youth delegates can
better understand the WHA
processes and analyse how they
can contribute significantly to
proceedings. Second, the pre-WHA
experience underscored the value of
structured preparation, mentorship
pathways, and practical simulations
to maximise the impact of
youth delegates. By combining
evidence-based advocacy with
capacity-building and cross-sector
partnerships, junior doctors can
engage strategically and shape health
policy in ways that will resonate far
beyond Geneva.
References
1. World Health Organization. Sev-
enty-eighth World Health As-
sembly, Geneva, 19–27 May 2025.
Agenda (A78/1 Rev. 2) [Internet].
2025 [cited 2025 Aug 20]. Avail-
able from: https://apps.who.int/
gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/
A78_1Rev2-en.pdf
2. World Medical Association. In-
terventions, WHO governance:
WMA interventions to World
Health Assembly and WHO Ex-
ecutive Board [Internet].2025 [cit-
ed 2025 Aug 20]. Available from:

News & Press

interventions/
Authors
Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz,
MBBS
Socio-Medical Affairs Officer
and Pre-World Health Assembly
Chair, Junior Doctors Network
Mailsi, Pakistan
adeelriaz369@gmail.com
Pablo Estrella Porter, MD, MPH
Chairperson, Junior Doctors Network
PhD student, Universidad de Valencia
Public Health Specialist, Hospital
Clínico Universitario de Valencia
Valencia, Spain
pestrellaporter@gmail.com
Junior Doctors Network at WHA78
Photo 2: WMA JDN delegation to WHA78 at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in May
2025. Credits: JDN
59
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The World Medical Association
(WMA)’s Junior Doctors Network
(JDN) organised a webinar in July
2025, reflecting on the evolution
of youth engagement at the 78th
World Health Assembly (WHA78),
the decision-making body of
the World Health Organization
(WHO). Inviting global junior
doctors, medical students, and
health advocates, this session was
conceived and moderated by the
JDN Socio-Medical Affairs Office,
featuring Dr. Hamaiyal Sana (Co-
Chair, WHO Youth Council)
and Ms. Beth Stinchcombe
(International Federation of Medical
Students’ Associations Liaison to
the WHO) as speakers, emphasising
the growing recognition of youth
as current leaders and important
stakeholders of global health (Photo
1).
Elevating Youth Voices at the
WHO
The WHO Youth Council, the
advisory body established to
institutionalize youth expertise and
leadership within the global health
architecture, was a central topic.
The Youth Declaration on Healthy
Societies, launched at the 2024
World Health Summit, was
highlighted as a landmark youth-
authored document [1]. The
declaration highlights 10 key
recommendations, ranging from
strengthening health education to
advocating for youth-led systems
reform and equitable access to
mental health services.
Dr. Sana emphasised, “Youth are
not just beneficiaries of the health
systems-we are investigators, explorers,
and leaders. Young people are actively
shaping the future of health care in
their communities, and their work
needs to be valued and supported for
its unique expertise and insights.”
WHA78 marked a historical high
point in youth representation,
Youth Leading the Way: Reflections from WHA78
and the Future of Global Health Governance
Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz Pablo Estrella Porter
Reflections from WHA78 and the Future of Global Health Governance
Hamaiyal Sana
Beth Elinor Stinchcombe
Photo 1: Moderators Dr. Pablo Estrella Porter and Dr. Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz and presenters
Dr. Hamayial Sana and Ms. Beth Stinchcombe (top row, left to right) with virtual audience. Credits: JDN
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ranging from youth-focused
addressed plenary sessions, with
several youth delegates from each
WHO region contributing to the
Pandemic Accord approval remarks.
Over 20 youth-led side events were
conducted during the WHA78,
covering topics like planetary
health, health diplomacy, and
sustainable health workforce.
Notably, youth participation in
official Member State delegations
surged, rising from six countries
in previous years to more than 20
countries in 2024.
Challenges and Structural Barriers
In her presentation, Ms.
Stinchcombe emphasised that
although youth leaders have become
increasingly engaged with active
participation in WHA events,
glaring disparities persist. Many
youth leaders from low- and
middle-income countries remain
excluded from the WHA78
audience, due to accreditation, visa
restrictions, and inadequate funding
to attend multilateral events in
high-income countries. Four key
obstacles were identified, including
limited national youth delegate
programs, persistent bureaucratic
and logistical barriers for youth from
the Global South, unsustainable,
short-term funding models for
youth-led initiatives, and inadequate
mentorship and policy training at
early career stages.
Ms. Stinchcombe noted, “The Youth
Declaration is not just a document. It’s
a blueprint for intergenerational justice
and youth-led systems change that
can help solve these above-mentioned
issues”.
Strategic Recommendations
Youth engagement at WHA78
highlighted the urgent need to
move beyond tokenism toward
meaningful partnership in
decision-making. Early-career
professionals contribute significantly
to discussions, bringing fresh
perspectives and innovative, context-
driven solutions to global health
challenges. Dr. Sana and Ms.
Stinchcombe collectively emphasised
that coordinated, multi-sectoral
efforts support youth partnership
and leadership in global health.
For WHO and Member States:
• Institutionalize youth delegate
positions across all national
delegations to the WHA.
• Expand WHO Youth Councils
chapters regionally to reach young
people working at the grassroots.
• Ensure sustained funding
and protection for youth-led
organisations and movements.
For Academia:
• Integrate systems thinking, health
diplomacy, and policy training
into medical education curricula.
• Collaborate with youth to co-
create engagement strategies
aligned with the Sustainable
Development Goals (e.g. SDG3)
and Universal Health Coverage
(UHC) 2030 goals.
For Youth:
• Engage locally and advocate
nationally, as change often starts
at the community level.
• Utilise platforms like the WMA’s
JDN (physicians-in-training)
and International Federation of
Medical Students’ Associations
(medical students) for leadership
development and global exposure.
• Cultivate mentorship networks
and amplify lived experiences in
policy spaces.
From Participation to
Transformation
The dual outcomes of the WHA78
and the JDN webinar point to a
promising trajectory: youth are
increasingly viewed as essential
partners in policy formulation,
health systems reform, and
diplomacy – and not solely as
symbolic participants.
Dr. Riaz aptly concluded: “Don’t
underestimate yourself. Leadership
starts locally, curiosity and action drive
change.”
The challenge now lies in
operationalising the Youth
Declaration on Healthy Societies
and ensuring that engagement leads
to measurable impact. Establishing
regional WHO Youth Councils,
expanding youth training in
health diplomacy, and sustaining
mentorship structures will be key
to closing the gap between
advocacy and implementation. As
the WHO accelerates action toward
UHC and pandemic preparedness,
youth voices should be grounded
in lived experiences, innovation,
and urgency. As youth are already
shaping global health, it is time to
meet them in shared leadership,
rather than just at the discussion
table.
Reference
1. World Health Organization.Youth
declaration on creating healthy so-
cieties: building well-being, resil-
ience, and trust. Geneva: WHO;
2024. Available from: https://
www.who.int/publications/m/
item/youth-declaration-on-creat-
ing-healthy-societies
Reflections from WHA78 and the Future of Global Health Governance
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Reflections from WHA78 and the Future of Global Health Governance
Authors:
Mehr Muhammad Adeel Riaz,
MBBS
Socio-medical Affairs Officer
and Pre-World Health Assembly
Organizing Committee Chair,
Junior Doctors Network
Mailsi, Pakistan
adeelriaz369@gmail.com
Pablo Estrella Porter, MD, MPH
Chairperson, Junior Doctors Network
PhD student, Universidad de Valencia
Public Health Specialist, Hospital
Clínico Universitario de Valencia
Valencia, Spain
pestrellaporter@gmail.com
Hamaiyal Sana, MBBS
Department of Global Health
and Population, Harvard TH
Chan School of Public Health
Dana-Farber Harvard Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
hamaiyalsana@hsph.harvard.edu
Beth Elinor Stinchcombe
Liaison Officer to the World
Health Organization,
International Federation of
Medical Students’ Associations
Coventry, United Kingdom
lwho@ifmsa.org