Message from the Chair

Dear Leaders and Colleagues,

This month, I had the privilege of joining colleagues at the 28th Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) Conference in Accra, Ghana. Under the theme Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities Towards Universal Health Coverage, regulatory leaders discussed the future of healthcare regulation in the region.

It was a great opportunity to renew and strengthen relationships with our African colleagues, including past IAMRA Chair, Dr. Kgosi Letlape (South Africa).

Together with IAMRA Board Director Adj. Prof. Martin Fletcher (Australia), IAMRA Chair-elect Dr. Divine Banyubala (Ghana), and World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) Dr. Sunny Okoroafor, I was pleased to help lead a collaborative, peer-learning workshop referencing the WHO's Health Practitioner Regulation: Design, Reform and Implementation Guidance. The workshop program moved through principles of regulation, evidence, lived experience, gap assessment, and practical next steps.

One of the strongest messages to emerge was that regulation must be viewed within the broader context of health workforce planning, training, and retention. Our role is not only to protect the public, but also to help create the conditions for safe, accessible and high-quality care. Following presentations by regulators from Burkina Faso and Malawi, participants spoke candidly about the challenges they face and identified practical opportunities to strengthen regulatory effectiveness within their own jurisdictions. Our diversity and the opportunity for peer learning remain our greatest strength.

IAMRA's strategic priorities of growing membership, relevance and influence are furthered by fostering collaboration, curiosity and mutual support among regulators. Moving forward, we plan to expand on the AMCOA conference model to create opportunities for members to share knowledge, learn from diverse perspectives, and adapt to an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Joel Okullo, AMCOA President, and the AMCOA board and secretariat; WHO AFRO and Dr. Agya Mahat from WHO Headquarters; our host Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Chair, and the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana; Mr. Paul Shinkfield, IAMRA Executive Director; and all speakers and participants who contributed their expertise and perspectives to this event.

Warm Regards,

Nicole Krishnaswami, JD

IAMRA Chair