WONCA East Mediterranean Region Newsletter - September 2026
The September 2026 edition of the WONCA Eastern Mediterranean Region Newsletter is now available. Read the President’s message below, explore key news and updates from across the region, and download the full newsletter.
A Message from the EMR President
The Eastern Mediterranean Region is going through an exceptionally difficult period. Conflict, displacement, migration, economic pressures, environmental changes and disease outbreaks continue to challenge our communities and health systems. Yet, even during such difficult times, people still need accessible, continuous and compassionate healthcare.
At WONCA EMR, we remain committed to working with our member organisations and family physicians to strengthen Family Medicine and improve Primary Health Care across the region. The challenges we face make this mission more important, not less. Family Medicine and Primary Health Care must continue even during emergencies. We must respond to immediate crises without losing sight of those who need ongoing care.
Strong Primary Health Care is essential not only in times of stability, but particularly during times of crisis. We also recognise that we cannot achieve this alone. Building partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to better health is therefore one of our priorities. By working together, sharing experience, and supporting education and professional development, we can build more resilient and sustainable primary healthcare systems that serve everyone in our region.
I am delighted that WONCA EMR is moving towards a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arab Board of Health Specializations. This collaboration will strengthen postgraduate training and help prepare competent family physicians who can provide comprehensive, high-quality care to their communities. We are also developing a partnership with the International Family Medicine Conference in the United Arab Emirates, where we hope to expand educational and scientific activities, conferences and continuing professional development opportunities.
Finally, I would like to thank all family physicians and healthcare professionals across our region, particularly those working under the pressures of conflict, displacement, migration, epidemics and humanitarian emergencies. Their work is not limited to emergency care, but also includes providing continuity of care for people living with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, mental health problems and other chronic conditions.
WONCA EMR will continue to stand beside its members, build meaningful partnerships, strengthen education and advocate for Family Medicine throughout the region. Our circumstances may be difficult, but by working together, we can move towards sustainable, people-centred Primary Health Care that reaches every community and leaves no one behind.
Professor Dr Faisal Abdullatif Alnaser
President, WONCA Eastern Mediterranean Region
Download the full WONCA EMR Newsletter – September 2026 (PDF)
In this issue:
- Arab Board of Health Specializations and WONCA EMR Sign MoU to Strengthen Family Medicine: A new partnership supporting education, training, professional development, scientific exchange and joint initiatives in Family Medicine.
- Daleel FM: A practical guide for family physicians, residents, medical students and other primary care professionals, developed to make Family Medicine resources easier to access and use.
- Managing Menopause in Saudi Primary Healthcare Settings: Dr Malak A. Al Shammari examines cultural, psychological and social dimensions of menopause care and opportunities to strengthen culturally appropriate primary healthcare services.
- The Lebanese Society of Family Medicine 2026 Annual Congress: A report on the Society’s hybrid congress, which brought together approximately 500 healthcare professionals for scientific exchange and continuing medical education.
- WONCA EMR Conference 2026: An important update on the conference’s postponement to 2028. (Read the conference update here).
- WONCA EMR Conference 2027: Early information about the upcoming conference in Kuwait City.