Israel Medical Association World Fellowship Belgium

October 9, 2007

 An achievement for Israel in the international arena: Dr. Yoram Blachar elected as President of the World Medical Association Defeated two other candidates by an overwhelming majority 

An achievement for the State of Israel: The World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly elected Dr. Yoram Blachar, president of the Israeli Medical Association, as the next president of the organization. He was chosen after an overwhelming victory, defeating two other candidates from New Zealand and India. Dr. Blachar recently ended two terms as chairman of the WMA council. His election as the president of the organization is a rare achievement that confirms the deep admiration that the WMA has for Dr. Blachar’s accomplishments and the standard of medicine in Israel.

The World Medical Association is the umbrella organization of the medical associations worldwide. 84 countries are members representing approximately nine million physicians. The organization was established in 1947, following the horrors of the Second World War, in order to define doctors’ ethical and behavioral codes.

The WMA often deals with ethical dilemmas relating to medicine.  Among the better known decisions of the organization are the Helsinki Declaration that illustrates guidelines for experimentation on human beings, the Tokyo Declaration banning the torture of people and the Geneva Declaration that defines the ethical code of doctors. Currently, the WMA is revising the Helsinki Declaration.

In his election speech, Dr. Blachar stated that he is proud to be associated with the medical profession, which stems beyond borders and therefore enables him to bridge between nations. He added that he will work to embrace Arab and African nations into the organization.

Dr. Blachar’s election is particularly outstanding considering the recent threats made in Britain to boycott academic organizations in Israel.

Adv. Leah Wapner, the IMA’s secretary general, asserted that by electing Dr. Blachar the organization decided to forgo political considerations and focus on Dr. Blachar’s personality and his contribution to the international organization. She further stressed that by choosing an Israeli doctor, the WMA recognized the vast contribution of the IMA to the organization. Among its initiatives, the IMA  drafted declarations regarding guidelines between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, genetics and medicine, and traffic injuries, helped revise the international code of medical ethics, and is  playing a prominent role  in the revision of the governing bylaws.

 Further details: Ms. Esti Sherbelis, International Public Relations Officer, IMATel: +972 3 6100424 email: estish@ima.org.il