WCA continues work with World Health Organization

The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) is continuing its work with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop drafts for international guidelines on chiropractic education, safety and practice. The WCA was invited to participate in the process by Dr. Xiaorui Zhang, Acting Coordinator of Traditional Medicine for WHO's Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy, based in Geneva.

In the past, WCA leaders have flown to Geneva to meet with Dr. Zhang and other WHO officials and have participated in various fact-gathering efforts being used to compile the document that could serve as the basis of national legislation covering chiropractic throughout the world.

To assist in the global effort, the WCA has submitted its comments and suggestions for WHO's "Guidelines on Training and Safety in Chiropractic," and "Guidelines for the Consumers in Promoting Proper Use of Traditional and Complementary & Alternative Medicine."

Despite initial attempts by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) to be the sole interface between WHO and the chiropractic profession, Dr. Zhang recognized the need for more inclusive representation and welcomed input from the WCA.

"Thanks to Dr. Zhang's desire to receive as much input as possible on the subject of chiropractic, the WCA has participated on an equal basis with the WFC in these efforts," stated Christopher Kent, D.C., WCA NGO Representative. In 1998, the WCA was granted status as a Non-Governmental Organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information. It has since been active in NGO health affairs and, in 2001, Dr. Kent was elected chairperson of the NGO Health Committee.

Recently, the WCA was asked to review and provide additional input into WHO guidelines. It prepared an in-depth analysis of the document, making several important suggestions as to how it might be revised to reflect the unique, subluxation-based character of chiropractic.

"It is clear that Dr. Zhang, and all the officials we've worked with from the World Health Organization, are determined to come up with a document that will help improve the health care for all peoples of the world," Kent emphasized. "They are eager to learn about and understand chiropractic concepts and ensure that it is allowed to make a contribution to global wellness."

Throughout his work with WHO officials and other NGOs, Kent has been careful to explain that chiropractic is not a medical therapy or technique to

"treat" specific diseases and conditions. Chiropractic is a profession offering a distinct contribution to human health.

"Unfortunately, many health care officials around the world have received inaccurate information about chiropractic and know nothing about the subluxation," Kent noted. "The WCA is working diligently to rectify that problem."