Preamble

The organization is called Association of Family Physicians of Kosova, and its well-known with an acronym AMFK (in the following document AMFK)

The office (residence) of AMFK is in Prishtina, (QZHMF/QKUK, 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosova).

The organization is a professional association of family physicians (in accordance with UNMIK regulations 1999/22).

AMFK has its own logo, circle and square stamp.

AMFK has its monthly magazine named: ”Mjekesia Familjare” (Family Medicine)

AMFK has its own website: www.amfk.org.

AMFK was established aiming to promote and properly represent Family Physicians of Kosova, regardless their political or religious preferences.

Currently, AFPK/AMFK has 20 members (regular tax payers), (with different professional and scientific / academic degrees) and 600  potential members for the future (Family Medicine Specialist, GP...).

More information can be found in the Statute of AMFK (see web page).

Content

Association of Family Physicians of Kosova is a professional Association of Family Physicians established in December 1999, in accordance with 1999/22 UNMIK regulation, just after the war in Kosova. At that time, Health System, as the whole society of Kosova, was heavily damaged, like in legislation, human resources, and so on. Great commitment was required to start everything from the scratch. Initially, we established an Association, with medical enthusiasts aiming to represent the interest of Physicians in Kosova and moreover to create a strategy of planning and development for the future of general practice/ family medicine.

In this way, AFPK/AMFK, (beginning from January 2000), presented the new concept of Family Medicine through Workshops, throughout Kosova, initially reflecting the need for improvement in primary health service and later on upgrading this service in desired levels, on which task we are still working.

Later on, with the help of WHO (World Health Organization), Medical Faculty of Prishtina, Ministry of Health Kosova and AFPK/AMFK, we selected 10 young doctors to be sent in a trimester training in Utrecht, Holland, Department of Family Medicine, aiming to increase human capacity and to get a closer recognition of this new concept.

With the effort of all above written stakeholders, in summer 2000, we started an accelerated course on family medicine. All those who had 10 or more years of experience were acknowledged by the Ministry of Health of Kosova as specialists on Family Medicine, while for others this was a two years training. From 2005, Center for Development of Family Medicine (CDFM), part of the Ministry of Health, with professional assistance of Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP, United Kingdom), started a regular three year specialization on Family Medicine.

This program was officially recognized by RCGP, with whom we have a Memorandum of Understanding for continuous support.

Until today in Kosova we have 405 Specialists on Family Medicine, 54 are at the end of residency program, 100 on the first year of Postgraduate Specialistic Education (PSE-official name in Republic of Kosova for the residency program in family medicine).

During 2001/2002 Medical Faculty of Prishtina in cooperation with the University of Nottingham fulfilled a master program for family Medicine which program was attended by 20 of our doctors.

AFPK/AMFK besides their financial difficulties, which you might have in regard, has published continuously its monthly magazine named Family Medicine, (now trimester magazine with a professional board with even University titles), 20 Standard Therapeutic Guidelines for PHC, 16 Clinical Protocols, 10 brochure for mental health, different leaflets, posters and has organized large Conferences in Prishtina (2002 and 2004) details of which will be attached further on.

In May 2006 AFPK/AMFK has reorganized the association and established 9 boards which are led by directors, and has elected the new leadership.

The board of Directors is the organ elected by the Assembly. AFPK/AMFK has nine (9) boards:

1. Board of Ethics

2. Board of Editors

3. Board of Guidelines and Protocols

4. Board of Information Health System (IHS)

5. Board of Research (Scientific Papers, Audits, Peer Review…)

6. Board of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

7. Board of Quality Control

8. Board of Strategic Planning

9. Board of International Relationship

Board of directors elects the President, Vice President, Secretary, and administration (Lawyers, Economists) which are the Executive of AFPK/AMFK.

As of 2002 AFPK/AMFK has its official webpage which is www.amfk.org.

Even though that AFPK/AMFK is until  now is not  a member of Wonca, it participated regularly in the Conferences of Wonca begging with Wonca Europe, 2002 London, Wonca Europe, 2002 Ljublana, Wonca Europe 2004 Amsterdam, Wonca World 2004 Orlando, Florida USA, Wonca Europe 2005 Kos Island Greece, Wonca Europe 2006 in Florence, Italy and Wonca 2007 Europe in Paris, Wonca Europe 2008 in Istanbul. We almost always made oral and poster presentations.

Next year we are planning to participate in Wonca Europe 2009 in Basel, hoping that at last we will become member of Wonca.

Conclusion

The Association of Family Physicias of Kosova as a Proffsional Organization aspires to become member of WONCA, hoping to join the great family of European Family Physicians, to exchange achivements and to advance professionally, in persuit of a better health service for our patients.

Sincerely,

Dr.Valdet HASHANI, MD, MSc.

President of AMFK/AFPK

e-mail: valdet.hashani@gmail.com,

Mobile: +377 (0) 44 178 072

AMFK-AFPK

Bank Account: 1501001006473193 Raiffeisen Bank  Kosovo