world federation of societies of anaesthesiologists annual report 2006

SECRETARY’S MESSAGE1. London OfficeThe WFSA Administrative Coordinator, Mrs. Ruth Hooper, continues to manage the London Office in exemplaryfashion. She is truly vital in the administration and organization of the myriad of WFSA activities and is a largeportion of the “glue” that holds the Federation together. The Secretariat continues to strive to fulfill itsresponsibilities to the WFSA and National Member Societies while managing expenses with frugality. Theaddress of the London Office is:Ruth Hooper, World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists,21 Portland Place, London W1B 1PY, United Kingdom.Tel: +44 20 7631 8880/1 OR Fax: +44 20 7631 8882E-mail: wfsahq@anaesthesiologists.orgAlso at WFSA headquarters, under the leadership of Dr. Peter Kempthorne of the WFSA Executive Committee,the WFSA website (www.anaesthesiologists.org) has continued to grow. The membership is encouraged to visitthe website for information on all WFSA activities.2. Proposed WFSA ConstitutionA proposed revision of the WFSA Statutes and Bylaws, now termed the WFSA Constitution, prepared by theWFSA Committee on Statutes and Bylaws has been distributed to all National Societies. It is an attempt tosimplify the old document and toReflect current WFSA policy and procedure. A final draft will be distributed to the National Societies later thisyear in time for placement on the agenda for a vote during the General Assembly in Cape Town in March 2008.3. WCA 2008 - Cape Town, March 2-7The 14th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (www.wca2008.com) boasts the world’s foremost educationalprogram for anesthesiologists. The World Congress Faculty will present over 320 lectures and discussionsessions covering a wide range of topics in anesthesia and related medical fields, as well as workshops in areasof technical expertise. The professional development offerings are created for each level of expertise – fromtrainees and residents to pioneering experts – allowing each to gain knowledge and enhance professionalperformance, reputation and career.WCA 2008 offers a multitude of professional development offerings crucial for all anesthesiologists and allieddoctors. Its objective is to be the most authoritative international anesthesia meeting and to set the standard ofeducation in the profession. Through the scientific sessions, social program, exhibits and satellite meetings thecongress will bring anesthesiologists from all over of the world together in the Rainbow Nation – the perfectsetting for the global anesthesia family.4. WFSA Committee ActivitiesThe work of the WFSA is carried out through its committees and working parties. There are “standingcommittees” on Education, Publications, Statutes & Bylaws, Finance, Safety & Quality of Practice and the WFSAFoundation. “Specialist committees” exist for Obstetric Anaesthesia, Paediatric Anaesthesia, Pain Relief, andResuscitation, Trauma & Intensive Care Medicine. Currently, there is a working party on worldwide anesthesiaworkforce and a Primary Trauma Care Working Party. A complete description of committee activities is availableon the WFSA website. A few of the highlights from committee reports are presented below.Education Committee:The Chair of the Education Committee, Dr. Angela Enright, reports that the major focus of the educationcommittee is on developing training programs where young physicians from the developing world can acquireeither basic or advanced training in anesthesia. It is a strongly held belief that this training should be offered asclose to home as possible so as to be relevant to the environment in which the trainee will eventually practice.A. Basic Anaesthesia Training ProgramsBangkok, Thailand -This program accommodates four trainees per annum. All the residents spend seven months in a universityhospital before rotating to a provincial hospital for three months to prepare them better for work at home. Theyspend their final month back at the university and then sit for their exit examination. Since 1996 the Bangkokprogram has trained anesthetists from the following countries: Mongolia 13, Lao PDR 12, Cambodia 10, Vietnam4, Myanmar 3 and Bhutan 2 for a total of 44. Almost all of these are continuing to practice anesthesia in theirhome countries. There has been a recent concentration on Mongolia in order to develop a sufficient cohort of5