On 23 September 2016, at the 12th International Conference of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) in Melbourne, Australia, Dr Margaret Mungherera was voted Chair elect for a two year term beginning in 2018 – 2020. She is the first African to be elected to this position. The outgoing Chair is the Chief Executive Officer of the UK General Medical Council, Niall Dickson. The Incoming Chair, Dr Humayun Chaudhry is the President of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States; he will service from 2016 – 2018. Humayun Chaudhry, DO, MACP, is President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) in the United States of America.

Dr Mungherera was nominated by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC), and her nomination was supported by the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA), which represents 21 African countries. Margaret is currently the Vice-Chair of the Uganda Medical Council, a position to which she was appointed by the Minister of Health. In 2013-2014 Margaret was the President of the World Medical Association.

IAMRA provides a biennial international forum for medical regulators to share best practice in achieving their mandate to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards for the profession of medicine. The organization has 104 member organizations in 46 countries.

Through scientific, educational, and collaborative activities, IAMRA strives to encourage best practice among the world’s Medical Regulatory Authorities (MRAs) and to respond to both their current and future needs. It represents bodies that license doctors, medical schools and their facilities. IAMRA regulates the quality of medical schools and the integrity and ability of doctors.

The East African Healthcare Forum warmly congratulates Dr Margaret Mungherera, for achieving this second high profile international position. We wish her the very best of success in this post and look forward to continued partnership.