Medical Council President highlights contributions of doctors and healthcare workers in zones of conflict and natural disaster

Wednesday 3rd September 2025: President of the Medical Council, Dr Suzanne Crowe, has today commended doctors, healthcare workers, first responders, and those working in adverse conditions, conflict, natural disaster, and areas affected by famine and disease.

Speaking at the 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation, which is currently being hosted by the Medical Council of Ireland in Dublin, Dr Suzanne Crowe said,

“As a doctor, I find it extremely difficult to watch the suffering of so many people worldwide, from conflict, famine, and natural disasters. In recent days, we’ve witnessed unimaginable suffering from the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, to daily loss of life and famine conditions in Gaza, to the brutal civil war in Sudan and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Behind every conflict, and every natural disaster, men, women, children, the very young, the elderly, and ordinary people are the ones who suffer most.

“For doctors working in these situations, limited access to supplies and healthcare facilities is an enormous challenge to treating patients. Hospitals are not a target. Food aid distribution centres are not a target, and refugee camps are not a target. Healthcare workers are not targets.

“I commend the doctors, nurses, aid workers, and everyone who is working to save lives in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and the people of other countries impacted, who on a regular basis put their own lives at risk to care for others. Even in the darkest times, human dignity, healthcare, and basic access to food and accommodation must remain at the centre of global decision-making.”

Also speaking at the Welcome Ceremony, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, said,

“As we gather today, we must be mindful of the challenges those around the world face in the delivery of healthcare in the midst of conflict, famine and natural disasters. We must acknowledge the pain that doctors and other healthcare professionals feel when they don’t have the resources, funding, or facilities to provide basic medical care to their patients.

“At a time of such global uncertainty and sadness, it is heartening to stand in Dublin today to hear the collective voices of health and medical representatives from all over the world who are united in protecting humanity.”

The 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation is organised by the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) and hosted by the Medical Council of Ireland. Delegates will include those involved in medical regulation and regulation of other health professions; medical education across the continuum, including primary medical education, post graduate medical training, and continuing professional development; assessment and remediation; healthcare policy and medical workforce planning.

The conference takes place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4, from 3rd – 6th September 2025.

The conference will centre on the theme of ‘People-focused regulation for a safer global community’. It will hear from Ireland-based and international experts in medical regulation, research, public safety, and healthcare. Visit the conference website here.

Confirmed keynote speakers at the 16th International Conference include professional regulators, medical educators, patient advocates and policymakers from Ireland and worldwide:

• Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen, Chair of the General Medical Council (UK) who will reflect on the importance of compassionate leadership in medical regulation
• Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach, currently Hauser Leader at the Centre for Public Leadership in the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard (keynote presentation topic to be confirmed)
• Dr Austin O’Carroll, a General Practitioner in inner-city Dublin, Ireland, who has focused his career on improving access for communities affected by marginalization or deprivation to quality primary healthcare. Dr O’Carroll will look into broadening access to medical education & training to people from disadvantaged groups
• Tiberius Pereira, Chair of Patients for Patient Safety (Ireland) who will discuss what really matters for the community in the work of regulators
• Professor Raymond Chua, CEO Health Sciences Authority, Singapore and Deputy Director-General Health, Regulation, Ministry of Health Singapore who will discuss transforming regulations in tomorrow’s era of digital and personalised healthcare
• Dr Rachelle Love, Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand on the critical role of regulators in supporting health equity and cultural safety in health care
• Professor Ivy Bourgeault, University of Ottawa, who will discuss innovative approaches to health workforce shortages