Message from the Chair

Kia ora koutou, rau rangatira mā,

Greetings leaders and colleagues,

IAMRA 2025: Call for abstracts

Abstract submissions for our conference in Dublin Ireland, 3 – 6 September 2025 are open. We welcome abstracts from those who have interest in the regulation of the medical and other health professions. This is an opportunity to discuss our responses to current and emerging challenges and to share research amongst our regulatory community. Please check out the conference themes here.

Medical migration – how should medical regulators respond?

Many medical regulators are working to simplify and streamline regulatory pathways for internationally qualified medical practitioners. How should we work together as a global regulatory community to ensure that our approaches balance the aspirations of people to migrate and pursue their career with the pressing human resource needs of low and middle income countries?

Did you know that a WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel was approved by all countries in 2010. The Code articulates key principles for the ethical management of international recruitment of health personnel, outlines core elements of international collaboration on the topic, and includes a robust monitoring and reporting framework. It also promotes investment in health workforce education, employment and retention as integral for health systems sustainability. The Code is currently undergoing its third review recognizing the need to be responsive to a changing global environment.

In July 2024, IAMRA hosted a webinar on this topic and there was significant interest from members. IAMRA continues to collaborate with the WHO and to explore opportunities to work together in areas such as awareness, data and reporting and partnership models across countries

Please get in touch with me or the Secretariat if you would like to be part of contributing to our IAMRA Response.

Groundbreaking WHO Global Guidance on Regulation

In September, at our symposium in Baltimore, IAMRA hosted the launch of theWHO Health Practitioner Regulation: Design, Reform and Implementation Guidance. The is the first ever comprehensive Guidance document on health practitioner regulation produced by WHO. It addresses a critical gap in global health policy and aims to support countries in strengthening their regulatory systems for health practitioners.

It is great to see a commentary on the guidance featuring in the latest edition of the Journal of Medical Regulation World Health Organization Guidance on Health Practitioner Regulation: An Overview. IAMRA is discussing with WHO the ways in which we can support the implementation of the guidance including through training and education.

Read more here...