By Doris Obinna
The President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele, has called for support and empowerment of junior doctors in the medical profession.
Enabulele stated this while delivering an address at the 1st International Junior Doctors Network Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the weekend.
Recounting the challenges faced by junior doctors, the WMA President expressed worry over the increasing cases of bullying, harassment, and overwork of junior doctors with consequent increase in cases of physical and mental burn out.
He disclosed that the declining level of mentorship in the medical profession has left most of the junior doctors disillusioned with some exiting the medical profession or seeking alternative career pathways; a situation that has impacted negatively on healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
While reminding physicians of the need to commit themselves to the physician’s pledge and the revised International Code of Medical ethics, Enabulele assured junior doctors of WMA’s commitment to the well-being and career development of junior doctors. He further assured of WMA’s commitment to address the unfortunate rise in violence against physicians in their workplaces.
He called for the revitalisation and strengthening of mentorship platforms in the medical profession, the creation of conducive working conditions and improved condition of service, career development, continuous professional development and effective communication pathways for junior doctors and other cadres of doctors.