International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics is a global organization that aims to improve the health and well-being of women and newborns worldwide, with members from over 130 national societies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. The organization works closely with the World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Children's Fund to achieve its goals. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has also collaborated with other professional associations, such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, to advance the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

● History

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics was founded in 1954 by a group of visionary obstetricians and gynecologists, including Georges Brohier, William Fletcher Shaw, and Albert Mathieu, with the aim of promoting women's health and reducing maternal and infant mortality worldwide. Since its inception, the organization has worked tirelessly with international partners, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and UNICEF, to improve access to quality healthcare for women and newborns. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has also played a key role in the development of global health initiatives, including the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank and the European Union.

● Organization

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and is governed by a council of representatives from its member societies, including the Australian Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Canadian Society for Clinical Chemists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The organization is led by a president, currently Frank Chervenak, who is supported by a team of officers and staff, including the International Confederation of Midwives and the World Association of Perinatal Medicine. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics also has a number of committees and working groups, focusing on areas such as reproductive health, maternal health, and newborn health, which work closely with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

● Membership

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has over 130 national societies as members, representing obstetricians and gynecologists from around the world, including the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Chinese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Member societies include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, as well as organizations like the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Marie Stopes International. The organization also has individual members, including obstetricians and gynecologists from countries without a national society, who are affiliated with institutions like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Oxford.

● Congresses

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics hosts a world congress every three years, which brings together obstetricians and gynecologists from around the world to share knowledge and expertise, with recent congresses held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Vancouver, Canada. The congress features plenary sessions, workshops, and exhibitions, and provides a platform for professionals to network and collaborate with organizations like the World Medical Association and the International Council of Nurses. The organization also hosts regional conferences and meetings, in collaboration with partners like the African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

● Publications

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics publishes a number of journals and newsletters, including the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, which is the official journal of the organization, and is available through the National Library of Medicine and the British Library. The organization also produces guidelines and recommendations on various topics related to women's health, such as contraception, abortion, and maternal health, in collaboration with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society for Pediatric Research. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has also developed a number of educational resources, including online courses and training programs, which are available through the World Health Organization and the United Nations University.

● Objectives_and_Activities

The main objectives of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics are to improve the health and well-being of women and newborns worldwide, and to promote the highest possible standards of care in obstetrics and gynecology, in collaboration with organizations like the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists and the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry. The organization achieves these objectives through a range of activities, including advocacy, education, and research, and works closely with partners like the European Commission, United States Agency for International Development, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics also supports the development of national societies and associations, and provides technical assistance and support to countries to improve their healthcare systems, in collaboration with institutions like the Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Francisco.