The International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) held its 13th international conference on medical regulation (6–9 October 2018) in Dubai, UAE, under the theme: Empowering Regulation with Innovation and Evidence. At this conference, Dr Tebogo Kgosietsile Solomon Letlape, president of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) was elected as chair of IAMRA.

Letlape’s election as the chair of IAMRA came exactly two months after his election as president of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA), at its 22nd annual conference, which was held in Ghana.

AMCOA’s primary purpose is to support medical regulatory authorities on the continent in their quest to protect the public by promoting high standards of medical education, registration and regulation. AMCOA also seeks to facilitate the ongoing exchange of information among medical regulatory authorities.

In accordance with Article 4 of AMCOA’s constitution, membership in the association is open for all councils/boards that regulate medical and dental practitioners within Africa.States applying to become members may be admitted on a formal resolution by AMCOA. The current membership of AMCOA comprises 19 African member states.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is proud of this fact, and of Letlape’s achievements. In congratulating Letlape, HPCSA vice-president Lesiba Malotana said: ‘It gives me immense pleasure to extend, on behalf of the HPCSA Council, our warmest congratulations to Dr Kgosi Letlape on his election as chair of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities. Dr Letlape is a renowned leader in the healthcare profession and has shown commitment to co-operation and collaboration among medical regulatory authorities as a basis on which to benchmark good practice, promote ambitious standards, and ensure patient safety. ‘Certainly, his willingness to volunteer his time and effort, as well as express his opinions, has contributed to him being elected for the position. Once more, as the HPCSA and as the nation, we commit our full support and wish him all the best as he represents us.’

IAMRA membership extends to 48 countries that comprise both members and partners. IAMRA exists to support the world’s medical regulatory authorities in their endeavour to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards for the profession of medicine.

Through scientific, educational and collaborative activities, IAMRA strives to encourage best practices among the world’s medical regulatory authorities and to respond to both their current and future needs. As a membership organisation, IAMRA values the communication, participation and interaction that are key to the success of this international collaboration. South Africa will play host to the 14th International Conference on Medical Regulation in 2020.

About Dr Tebogo Letlape
Letlape is the current president of the HPCSA and chairperson of the Medical and Dental Professions Board. He made history by becoming the first African to qualify as an ophthalmologist in South Africa during the apartheid years and was also the first African to be elected president of the World Medical Association in 2006. He is a former chairman of the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

Urged by the late former South African President Nelson Mandela, Letlape embarked on an ambitious project towards providing access to antiretroviral treatment to HIV-positive patients in 2003. Together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SAMA, he established the Tshepang Trust, of which he is a former executive director. The Tshepang Trust facilitated the treatment of HIV-positive patients when none was provided by the government at the time.

His interest in healthcare for South Africans sees him participating in various health committees and task teams, and he serves as a member of the Global Hygiene Council.

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