By Patricia Mashiri
In a bid to foster collaboration in the region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) medical councils have come up with a regulatory plan to ensure positive health outcomes for all.
In pursuit of that goal,David Parirenyatwa, the Minister of Health and Child Care officially opened the SADC Medical and Dental Regulatory Association Strategic plan and a five (5) year work plan for the Association in Harare on 20 September 2017. The SADC representatives came from countries like Namibia, Swaziland, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Malawi.
The meeting sought to establish SADC close relationships with other international organisations to commit in improving professional standards among medical practitioners.
Parirenyatwa said the move was in conformity with the main objectives of SADC of achieving economic development, peace, security and to enhance standard and quality life of the people of Southern Africa and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration.
“The SADC countries share a common history, language and to a great extent, culture. It is time to integrate economic activities with sound provision of health. We envisage a situation where there will be free movement of professionals amongst member states to assist in areas of the much needed specialisation for the benefit of our people,” Parirenyatwa said.
The integration will benefit all in the areas of medical education and promotion of well-being for all.
Professor John Chisi, the Chairman on SADC health board from Malawi said this marks the new chapter in the Medical Regulation in SADC region.
“Today we set the process of the chapter that will operationalise the Regulatory Association by developing it. On 22 August 2017 the Association of the Medical councils during their 21st annual conference in Stellenbosch, Cape Town in South Africa agreed that the SADC Medical and Dental Regulatory Association will be established and that an urgent meeting would be held in Zimbabwe to develop the implementation plan,” Chisi said.
The association will strengthen and improve the standards of undergraduate, post graduate and continuing medical practitioners as it will also give registrars of the region opportunity to develop and come up with a dream on where the SADC Medical and Dental Regulatory association will be in the next five (5) years.