At the recent World Medical Association General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland, two Indian physicians were elected to the World Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (WMA-JDN), marking a major advancement in the representation of healthcare around the world. Dr. Venkatesh Karthikeyan was appointed as the Publications Director, while Dr. Shiv Joshi was re-elected as the Medical Ethics Officer for a third consecutive term. In addition to reflecting their respective achievements, their election strengthens the network’s representation of Asia, which now includes elected members from South Korea, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
In establishing healthcare policies, Dr. Joshi underlined the value of having a powerful voice from the global south. He emphasized that problems like workplace violence are widespread around the world and are not limited to India. By addressing ethical issues in policy-making, Joshi hopes to promote safe working conditions in his capacity as Medical Ethics Officer. This involves making certain that policies address issues like gender, ethnicity, and culture in a way that is inclusive and free from discrimination. He also intends to put in place procedures for handling grievances, which will make the working environments safer for all medical workers.
As the director of publications, Dr. Karthikeyan is responsible for distributing important public health information that is specific to physicians. Leading a publication team that creates instructional materials and guarantees the caliber and applicability of all published information is part of his job description. Karthikeyan is a Senior Resident at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna and now holds the position of National Convenor for the Indian Medical Association’s Antimicrobial Resistance Committee. His knowledge will be extremely helpful in forming the story and information presented in WMA-JDN publications, which are meant to inform medical professionals about urgent public health concerns.
The fact that both of the Indian doctors are part of the WMA-JDN is noteworthy because it shows how experts from the global south are becoming more involved in international medical governance. Their election is viewed as a step toward elevating voices from various geographical areas in policy debates that impact public health and the medical community globally.
All things considered, Drs. Joshi and Karthikeyan’s positions at the WMA-JDN demonstrate a dedication to moral behavior and the sharing of important medical knowledge, which will eventually raise the bar for healthcare worldwide. In order to solve regional and global health issues, their leadership is probably going to encourage cooperation and advocacy.
SOURCE :
BUSINESS LINE