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Brazilian envoy hails GMC as key platform to discuss pressing challenges

The Brazilian envoy has high expectations about the upcoming GMC….reports Asian Lite News

The annual Global Media Congress (GMC) in Abu Dhabi brings key stakeholders together and offers a unique platform for discussing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, such as providing timely and reliable information to people, according to a senior Brazilian diplomat.

Eliana Zugaib, Chargé d’Affaires of the Brazilian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, made these comments as preparations are underway for the second edition of the Global Media Congress that will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court.

Organised by ADNEC Group in partnership with Emirates News Agency (WAM), the prominent international conference-cum-exhibition in the media sector will take place from 14th to 16th November 2023, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre – ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.

Expectations on 2nd edition of GMC

The Brazilian envoy has high expectations about the upcoming GMC.

“We are confident that the second edition of the Global Media Congress will provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and foster new ones among media professionals from all over the world,” Zugaib emphasised.

She believes the existing cooperation between Brazil and the UAE in the media sector helps strengthen mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The existing partnerships between Brazilian media outlets and WAM are an important element in promoting mutual cooperation and partnership among some of the most influential stakeholders in Brazil and the UAE, the envoy explained.

“They may be instrumental in increasing mutual knowledge about our countries and peoples.”

Growing media cooperation

Zugaib was referring to the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) WAM had signed with Brazilian news agency Folhapress and Brazilian website UOL-Universo Onlin, during the Expo 2020 Dubai in 2021.

The MoUs encourage professional media cooperation between WAM and Brazilian media establishments to exchange news and media content and establish sustainable partnerships. WAM has also recently intensified cooperation with a couple of Brazilian TV channels as part of which news bulletins were provided to them, especially during the recent visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the UAE.

Brazilian presence at first GMC

There was a significant Brazilian presence in the first Global Media Congress held in Abu Dhabi in November 2022 under the theme “Shaping the Future of the Media Industry”.

The global event, with an exhibition and more than 30 debates and workshops featuring over 162 globally renowned speakers, attracted over 13,656 visitors.

The event had the participation of more than 192 media establishments from 42 countries, over 1,200 media experts and specialists, and influencers from six continents across the globe.

(By Binsal Abdulkader)

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BAPIO raises concerns with Sajid Javid about cancelled PLAB2 tests

BAPIO has raised serious concerns with Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Charlie Massey, the CEO of the General Medical Council about the cancellation of PLAB2 tests during January and February 2022.

The GMC announced on 22 December 2021 that it was cancelling all PLAB2 tests for overseas doctors during the months of January and February 2022. The announcement was made without any prior discussion with medical organisations who have worked closely with the GMC for some time but especially during the stressful times of the pandemic.

PLAB2 is essential for ensuring that overseas qualified doctors can demonstrate competency to train in the NHS, and hence the 2,500 doctors who have arrived on the shores of the UK were expected to take the test and for the successful ones, to commence training. The UK is facing significant shortages in medical manpower and so this news comes on the back of mounting pressures on NHS Trusts, made worse by the spread of Omicron.

Furthermore, the affected doctors are now without jobs, in a foreign country and without the financial means to support themselves for the extra months required. The GMC has indicated that the exams for this cohort of doctors will be held in later this year, which is an unacceptable delay. This is more so because it does not seem that the GMC has learned from the mistakes of the past, when the PLAB tests were cancelled during the first and second lockdowns. Many candidates from that cohort remain traumatised to this day.

BAPIO as well as other diaspora organisations have expressed concerns to the GMC as well as the Sajid Javid about this state of affairs. We have formed a network of support for these foreign doctors while this matter is being resolved.

Dr Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO said, “This cancellation of PLAB2 tests not only deprives us from timely recruitment of these valuable doctors, it also causes them significant hardship in a foreign country. I am very concerned about this state of affairs.”

Health Secy Sajid Javid during a visit at the Milton Keynes University Hospital (Source twitter@sajidjavid)

Dr JS Bamrah, Chair of BAPIO, is concerned about how doctors in this situation are treated. “Migrant doctors have formed an invaluable part of the NHS workforce. This sort of action by the GMC only serves to give the wrong perception to migrant doctors in this country as well as those who intend to come and serve the NHS”.

“The cancellation of GMC examinations is worrying.” states Dr Biju Simon, Joint Secretary, adding that “Many young doctors already sacrificed their time and money to be here in the UK, despite the uncertainties of the COVID pandemic. The cancellation of the PLAB tests amplifies the agony adding further psychological torment and financial deficit.”

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