Message from the Chair

Dear Leaders and Colleagues,

Combined AMCOA/WHO Workshop

IAMRA is thrilled to partner with the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) and the African Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) to deliver a workshop at the 2026 AMCOA Conference on August 25 in Accra, Ghana.

The workshop will bring together medical regulators, policy leaders, and health workforce experts from across Africa to explore practical approaches to the design, reform, and implementation of health practitioner regulation. Drawing on theWHO guidance on health practitioner regulation, the WHO State of the Health Workforce report in Africa 2026, and the diverse and rich expertise from regulators on the African continent, the program will focus on how effective regulation can support patient safety, practitioner competence, workforce quality, and stronger health systems.

A key feature of the workshop will be an emphasis on peer learning and the sharing of real-world experiences among participating countries. Through presentations, discussion, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will examine challenges and opportunities in areas such as regulatory governance, entry-to-practice requirements, ongoing competence, licensure, and implementation capacity.

The workshop reflects IAMRA’s commitment to supporting regulators worldwide through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical capacity building, while also highlighting the leadership and innovation emerging across the African region. It also highlights our ongoing collaboration with the WHO and other regional partners.

IAMRA Strategic Plan 2026-2028

As I noted last month, the IAMRA Board recently met in Montréal, Canada to agree on the organisation’s strategic priorities for 2026–2028 and consider how best to deliver value for members in a rapidly changing global environment.

I am pleased to report that the Board reaffirmed IAMRA’s core purpose of promoting effective medical regulation worldwide and agreed on the following three key strategic priorities: growing membership, growing influence, and growing relevance. Further work is underway to develop the full Strategic Plan 2026-2028 for release later this year.

I look forward to seeing many old and new friends in Accra, Ghana next month. If you will attend, please email IAMRA Director of Operations Sarah Heermans, sheermans@iamra.com, so that we can be sure to connect during the conference.

Warm Regards,

Nicole Krishnaswami, JD

IAMRA Chair