CAMAS PROFILE

The Confederation of African Medical Associations and Societies (CAMAS) was inaugurated in 1982 in Nigeria with 12 Foundation National Medical Associations but today has 30 members and one Associate Member. Our membership is spread throughout the African continent comprising English, French and Arabic speaking Associations though CAMAS official languages are English and French. The only Associate member is the National Medical and Dental Association of South Africa (NAMDA). The Permanent Secretariat is hosted by the Nigerian Medical Association.

CAMAS is structured into an Executive Board of 22 members and an Assembly of all member Associations. The Executive Board membership of 22 ensures a good continental spread and includes 5 officers. These are President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President; Secretary-General and Treasurer.

The objectives of CAMAS as recorded in its constitution are as follows:

a. To provide a forum for the exchanges of professional ideas, knowledge and experiences among the Medical and Dental practitioners in Africa.
b. To forster and promote throughout Africa, the provision of facilites for education and training of undergraduates and post-graduates in all relevant fields of medicine and dentistry.
c. To provide where necessary professional and technical advise to OAU and any such organization in Africa.
d. To foster active cooperation with governments, International Health Agencies, Institutions, Associations and Societies in Africa in particular and the World in general, in order to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of Health Care facilities irrespective of race, colour or creed.
e. To establish and maintain fraternal contacts between Medical and Dental practitioners throughout Africa.

In line with its broad aims, CAMAS has organized an almost yearly congress since 1983 attended by between 14 - 20 Associations and half yearly meeting of Executive Board during which workshops and Seminars are held.

CAMAS has succeeded in Strengthening many National Medical Associations thus enabling African doctors play roles appropriate to their training and social status in their health care systems. CAMAS has concentrated attention on Primary Health Care, Family Planning, Medical Education, Continuing Medical Education, Child Survival, Population Activities and some other areas of particular relevance to African Countries.

CAMAS has an observer status with Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and collaborative relationship with World Health Organisation (WHO). As a result, CAMAS recommendations have influenced health policies in member states. In September 1990, CAMAS in collaboration with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and World Health Organisation (AFRO and Headquarters) organized a Round Table Conference with the theme: “Health and Politics in Africa”. The report and recommendations of the Conference was tabled and adopted at the subsequent 4th Ordinary Session of OAU Health Ministers and later at the summit of Heads of States and Governments in April and June 1991 respectively.