Former AMA President elected chair of World Medical Association
The AMA today congratulated its former President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal (AO), who was elected Chair of the World Medical Association (WMA) Council at the 188th WMA Council Session in Sydney today.
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that Dr Haikerwal’s appointment reflects the respect and high regard in which he is held by his medical colleagues around the world.
“The WMA is the peak body for international health policy and provides ethical guidance to doctors from more than 95 National Medical Associations,” Dr Pesce said.
“It is a very proud day for the Australian medical profession and an honour for Dr Haikerwal to be the figurehead of this important organisation.
“Dr Haikerwal has contributed immensely to WMA policies in his role as Chair of the WMA’s Finance and Planning Committee.
“Throughout his time as AMA Victoria President, Federal AMA President, and as a member of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC), he was a strong and forceful advocate for doctors, their patients and a better health system.
“In recent times, he has been active in the implementation of e-health initiatives through his work with the National E-health Transition Authority (NEHTA).
“Throughout all his national leadership roles with the AMA and other organisations, Mukesh has maintained his general practice in Altona North, Melbourne.
“He is an outstanding doctor and an inspiration for the Australian medical profession.
“The AMA looks forward to working with Dr Haikerwal in his new role as WMA Chair,” Dr Pesce said.
7 April 2011
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