Alla Guekht
It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as Elected Trustee of the World Federation of Neurology with the rich tapestry of more than 120 national societies and hard work of the most talented professionals in neurology in the world. It was a great honor to be able, especially at the challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic, to contribute to achieving the WFN mission to foster quality neurology and brain health.
As the trustee of the WFN, I have become integrated into its outstanding multifaceted work. I have learned so much from our president, esteemed colleagues in the Board of Trustees, WFN committees, regional and national organizations, neurologists from many countries of the world, and the WFN staff members.
In my role as the WFN trustee, I contributed to the successful development of the collaboration with the WHO. Adoption of the Resolution WHA 73_R10: Global Actions on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders was the landmark event and unprecedented recognition of the global importance of these conditions; the WHO made a commitment to develop a 10-year Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders and to include in this plan “ambitious, but achievable, global targets on reducing preventable cases of, and avoidable deaths …, strengthening service coverage and access to essential medicines, improving surveillance and critical research and addressing discrimination and stigma.” The WFN, in collaboration with the International League Against Epilepsy, the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International Child Neurology Association and European Federation of Neurological Associations, powerfully advocated for this resolution, actively participating in the 71st and 72nd WHA and the 146th WHO executive board meeting, where the historical decision to discuss a possible draft resolution on further action on epilepsy and other neurological disorders had been made.
Notably, WFN actively supported the WHO actions aimed on prevention and treatment of non-communicable disorders, and, indeed, productive collaboration with the WHO strengthened the Global Neurological Alliance.
As the WFN trustee, I have been deeply involved in the WHO COVID-19 NeuroForum and NeuroResearch Coalition, co-chairing the WHO NeuroForum follow-up and long-term impact working group, which meaningfully contributed to the creation of the WHO Case Report Form for Post-COVID conditions and is working on several important projects on prevention and care of patients with its neurological manifestations.
I worked in the WFN Membership Committee, communicating with several neurological societies, and bringing them closer to the WFN as the potential new members. I was privileged to contribute actively to the WCN.
I feel very much honored to be nominated for the re-election. During my term as WFN trustee, I have become aware of both the exciting opportunities as well as the significant challenges facing the global neurological community. If re-elected, I will continue to serve faithfully to the WFN, working diligently, fostering partnership with national, regional, and international neurologic societies and disease-based organizations, further developing collaboration with the WHO in order to assist the WFN to achieve its mission to improve neurological care, education, and research worldwide. •
