Thirty-seven members representing 20 International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE) ‘National organisations’ met in Kirkenes, northern Norway on 13 April for the Federation’s 2012 Council Meeting, preceded the previous day by a meeting of the Executive Committee, with both held prior to the official opening, on 14 April, of the latest biennnial IFHE Congress.
Andy Wavell, IHEEM’s IFHE representative, writes: “The General Secretary, Gunnar Baekken, reported that the majority of member organisations were fully paid up, despite concerns expressed at the previous meeting that one or two might leave. First Vice-President, Liliana Font, reported increased activity in South America, with Chile having formed a board for a National Hospital Engineering/Architecture Organisation, which will apply to become an IFHE member. Organisations in Colombia and Venezuela are also ‘progressing towards being able to apply’, and, in Cuba, a committee of architects had been formed with a view to forming a national body. A Regional Group is encouraging closer cooperation in the region.”
‘Growing’ membership
Efforts to involve the Baltic States had not yet been successful, but, more positively, attendees heard that the training course held last year in South Africa by SAFHE for East African hospital estates staff (IFHE contributes finacially) had been ‘very successful’, and would be repeated in 2013. An enquiry about membership from Tanzania was being dealt with by the General Secretary, while Denmark announced it had changed the name of its national organisation after merging with another body. IFHE’s recommendation at its June 2011 meeting in Paris that Administration and Secretariat duties continue to be undertaken by IHEEM ‘in the short term’, providing a framework for a new agreement, was submitted to the Executive Committee, and recommended to Council for acceptance. The IFHE Council was advised of changes to the four annual ‘international’ editions of the HEJ, with members pleased that, in future, more news items would be included. Currently four issues annually contain international articles, and it was suggested that, going forward, a minimum of two should contain more IFHE news items. The frequency and number would depend upon relevant stories being supplied to HEJ’s editor. Spain’s Francesco Castella said the IFHE library was growing – with 115 articles now available – but asked member organisations to consider providing more articles in their own language, accompanied by an abstract in English. The IFHE booklet, detailing the organisation’s first 30 years, is to be updated. Andy Wavell said: “Those attending also heard that IFHE’s finances show an increase of expenditure over income, although the ‘bottom line’ shows a healthy balance. The new Executive Committee will report back to the next meeting on their thoughts on future fee structures.”
Donations to Japan
Following Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, a donation had been made to an organisation involved in rebuilding the health service in the stricken area, for which IFHE’s President, Yasushi Nagasawa, brought messages of thanks. Also discussed were continued collaboration with the World Health Organization, while Council complemented the standard of the latest IFHE Digest, and confirmed acceptance of the report recently submitted to the Executive Committee detailing changes required for future editions. The Netherlands and Italy presented in support of bids to host the 2016 International Congress, and, following a secret ballot, The Netherlands was awarded the Congress. Council was also updated on progress for the 2014 Congress in Argentina. Andy Wavell adds: “After handing over the insignia to the new President, Norway’s Ole Rist, previous President, Yasushi Nagasawa, was elected an Honorary Member. In a humorous address he thanked the international community for their support, both personally, and to Japan as a whole, following the tsunami, and updated attendees on the current situation.”
Reporting on the past year
All member organisations gave verbal reports on the previous year’s activities, while the new President indicated that he would consider an offer from Malaysia’s BEAM to host the 2013 IFHE Executive Committee and Council meetings. The Council meeting also saw a new Executive Committee confirmed for the next two years, comprising:
• President – Ole Rist, Norway.
• First Vice-President – Liliana Font, Argentina.
• Second Vice-President – Douwe Kiestra, Netherlands.
• General Secretary – Gunnar Baekken – Norway.
• Treasurer – Steve Drinkrow, South Africa.
• Past-President – Yasushi Nagasawa, Japan.
• Officers: Darryl Pitcher, Australia; Ronnie Brown, UK, and Steven Rees, Canada.
• Elected for ‘special duties’ for IFHE were: IFHE library – Francisco Castella, Spain; IFHE Digest – Andy Wavell, UK; WHO liaison – Paul Merlevede, Belgium.
The latest edition of the IFHE Newsletter (Issue 2012/2 – June/July 2012) is downloadable from the IHEEM website, at: http://tinyurl.com/76m4gax
