Governing Council Meetings and General Assembly Highlights
Governing Council members met on the 7th of November in Dubai as a pre-congress kick-off to discuss potential membership status changes, the IHF headquarter relocation, and reviewed the program for the General Assembly. Discussion surrounding membership status was lively and concerned how IHF organizes representation and how IHF co-opts countries. IHF’s CEO also gave a report on the selling of IHF’s headquarters in Ferney-Voltaire, France and the Governing Council unanimously approved the sale ofand relocation to offices in Geneva, Switzerland. As such, it was mentioned that progress is being made on developing a new Swiss constitution for IHF and streamlining its activities in preparation for the move. Feedback from the Audit and Finance Committees provided recommendations to adopt a model for sliding membership dues. The meeting ended with the Council approving applications for membership from the Hajj Medical Center and Atieh Hospital from Iran and wishing a farewell to departing Governing Council members: Dr. Pitan, Prof. Lapsley, Dr. Lai, M. Vincent, and M. Madani. All of them were congratulated for their active contribution to the development of IHF both at large and in their respective countries and regions.
The General Assembly occurred on the second day of the Congress on November 9th and began with the departing of IHF’s previous president, Dr. Abrahao, and the induction of IHF’s 33rd president Dr. Dolan. Dr. Dolan noted, “…the great changes to IHF over the past years under Dr. Abrahao’s leadership and I look forward to working with everyone to improve healthcare around the world.” From then on, the Assembly meeting carried on at a brisk pace with the Assembly passing IHF’s new Swiss Constitution and the election of Dr. Kwang Tae Kim as the President Designate. Shortly after Dr. Normann was elected as the new IHF Treasurer and Dr. Hadi and Dr. Vincent were elected as Life long Honorary Members. Voting commenced on new Governing Council Members and the Assembly elected Dr. Al Awadhi of Kuwait, Dr. Olatunji of Nigeria, Dr. Bastaki of the UAE, Dr. Pak Yin Leung of Hong Kong, M. Cedric Lussiez of France, and Ms. Pamela Fralick of Canada. IHF Ceo also gave an overview of the activities of the IHF Secretariat. Of the many activities noted, he mentioned key reports published with the WHO and African Development Bank, the various events out of which the Leadership Summit in Chicago was a great success, and five areas of improvement for the organization (strengthening management, increasing members’ participation, improving external communication, engaging actively with corporate sector, scaling up IHF international notoriety). Dr. Pitan gave a brief report of the Treasury and noted the consolidation of IHF’s headquarters and the positive financial situation of the organization. The incoming Treasurer followed up with an overview of the 2011-2012 budget—noting changes to associate membership dues, which the Assembly approved. The Assembly officially closed by inducting new Governing Council members and wishing farewell to departing members.
After the closing ceremonies for a successful 32nd Congress, the Governing Council met on November 10th. The new president Dr. Dolan began by welcoming the recently elected Governing Council members and thanked IHF’s corporate partners for their support, and challenging all Governing Council members with a fundraising goal of 10,000 CHF per council member. Marina Ricci from WAHA was also present and gave an overview of their work with IHF, focusing particularly on a project for Patient Solidarity aimed at supporting patients with low resources. The council then carried by passing a motion to create a Special Advisor position to represent the IHF at events; developing four additional committees on communication, membership, associate membership, and strategic planning. Additionally it was agreed that the 2012 Leadership Summit will be held in South Africa in June in conjunction with the first GC meeting of 2012. The Council also reviewed the success of the 32nd Congress, with all members agreeing on the quality and breadth of presentations in the Congress but noted that there is always room to increase attendance at the next conference in Oslo, Norway. The second Governing Council meeting for 2012 will be held in November in Geneva.