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12th World Congress on Public Health, Istanbul 200
27th Apr 2009
The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) and the Turkish Public Health Association are hosting the 12th World Congress on Public Health, held in Istanbul (Turkey). The theme is "Making a difference in global public health; education, research and practice". In a packed room full of delegated from 130 countries the opening ceremony was the right combination of speeches (short and sweet) by prominent individuals including Dr Buss (President of the WFPHA), Dr Margaret Chan (Director-General WHO, via phone because of the recent swine flu epidemic emergency)and Dr Akdag (Minister of Health, Turkey), and music acts by children and a dance theatrical group. Not to mention the great audio-visuals, dry ice and all!
Key notes that particularly interested me were Dr Chan’s speech (delivered by Dr Marc Danson, Director of the European WHO) which highlighted that health has never seen such attention and wealth as it has right now, but there are still inequalities and gaps. These are not a random act, but rather a result of massive faults in the system, in other words the result of bad policy. In addition, she pointed out that there was an assumption that market forces alone are the solution to the present crises in the economy and the ripple effects in other sectors, but this has been disproven. The present financial crisis is a watershed event, so we need strong policy and planning for the future. Globalisation has had different effects on different groups, ‘like a huge wave, it lifts the big boats but sinks the smaller boats’. There needs to be budget support for health ministries and infrastructure to support the health system, without which there will not be sustainable progress.
A tribute to Dr Ihsan Dogramaci on his life time achievement to health was lovely, on the giant screen photos from Dr Dogramaci’s 94 years flashed by, and ending with a ceremony to present him with the first award for lifetime achievement by the WFPHA.
Workshops also took place today, and the ‘skills building workshop on advocacy for smoke-free environment’ which I attended was overflowing with participants, more than the organisers had estimates which in itself is evidence of the importance of the subject to all and especially to the Turkish delegates. Turkey enforced smoke-free in public areas in May 2008 and will extend it to include restaurants/cafes by July 2009….very evident as you sit sipping a coffee surrounded by smoke in a hotel lobby!
Tomorrow I look forward to bumping into 2000 delegates as the meeting get underway!
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