Flinders University’s Professor Michael Kidd says he will pursue an “ambitious agenda” in working towards universal coverage of primary care during his presidency of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA).

Professor Kidd (pictured), Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Science at Flinders, commenced his three year term as president of WONCA on June 27 at the organisation’s World Conference in Prague. A former president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Professor Kidd has been a member of WONCA’s executive since 2004.

Founded in 1972, WONCA has 118 member organisations representing over 400,000 general practitioners and other family doctors in over 130 countries and territories around the world, and works closely with the World Health Organisation at global and regional levels.

Addressing the conference, Professor Kidd said while it is estimated that the family doctors represented by WONCA already perform over two billion consultations each year, achieving the provision of global primary care would require tireless support and reinforcement.

“Everyone world-wide has a right to health care,” Professor Kidd said.

“We will reinforce the role of family medicine in providing high quality primary care to all people in each of our countries, especially those who are marginalised and the most vulnerable.”

Professor Kidd said WONCA aims to expand its presence by supporting the development of family medicine training in more low- and middle-income nations, as well as increasing support for young family medicine leaders and celebrating the many achievements of general practitioners and other family doctors around the world.

A newly launched social media site on the WONCA website will further assist members by increasing their connectedness and improving their capacity to work together, Professor Kidd said.