In a landmark achievement for South African medicine, Dr. Bernard Mandell has been inaugurated as president of the World Medical Association (WMA), marking a historic moment at the association’s 48th General Assembly held in Western Cape Province, South Africa. Dr. Mandell, a distinguished figure in orthopedics, assumes this prestigious global role, becoming the first South African to lead the WMA since its inception in 1947.
Dr. Mandell’s election to the WMA presidency highlights his extensive experience and leadership in the medical field. Currently heading the orthopaedic department at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, East London, his career reflects a deep commitment to advancing healthcare. His ascension to this global platform underscores the growing influence of South African medical professionals on the international stage.
In his inaugural address to representatives from nearly 70 national medical associations, Dr. Mandell articulated a forward-looking vision for the WMA. He emphasized the critical need for the organization to support doctors in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of modern medicine. He pointed to the information age, escalating political and economic pressures, and the increasing role of consumerism as significant forces reshaping healthcare delivery and physician practice worldwide.
Dr. Mandell outlined key priorities for his tenure, advocating for a stronger, more unified WMA that actively engages with both governments and communities. He stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships to effectively tackle pressing global health challenges. Furthermore, he called upon the WMA to provide guidance on the fundamental principles of healthcare, particularly in the context of resource allocation and ethical considerations surrounding healthcare rationing. “I sincerely believe that there is a global need for the WMA,” Dr. Mandell stated, emphasizing the necessity for physician leadership in shaping the future of medicine. “We cannot allow that decisions about the interest of the communities we serve and our profession are taken by others.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Mandell envisions the World Medical Association as a truly global entity, serving as a central pillar for maintaining the highest standards across medical ethics, clinical practice, legal frameworks, and medical education. He described the WMA’s future role as a “knowledge-broker,” facilitating the generation, refinement, and dissemination of crucial medical knowledge to national medical associations and medical professionals worldwide. By embracing this responsibility, Dr. Mandell believes the WMA will empower doctors globally to enhance health outcomes for all populations.
The Medical Association of South Africa’s readmission to the WMA in the early 1980s marked a significant step in international medical collaboration. This followed a period of withdrawal in 1977, subsequent to international concerns arising from the death of Steve Biko. Today, the WMA stands as a vital independent confederation, uniting professional national medical associations from over 60 nations, working together to promote ethical medical practice and advance global health.
