Local chiropractor to represent South Africa
NORTH RIDING – Dr Luke Schmidt will represent South Africa in the World Health Assembly.
Chiropractor Dr Luke Schmidt will represent South Africa, as past president and African regional director of the Board of Directors of World Congress of Chiropractic Students (WCCS) at the World Health Assembly from 18 to 26 May in Geneva.
Dr Schmidt opened his private practice six months ago.
He said he first heard of the profession when he was 11 years old. “After meeting a few chiropractors and chiropractic students, I always knew that this was what I wanted to do. I set my goals from a young age and haven’t looked back since then.”
The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the forum through which the World Health Organisation is governed by its 194 member states.
It is the world’s highest health policy-setting body and is composed of health ministers from member states.
Every year, a WCCS member is invited as part of the World Federation of Chiropractic delegation to the World Health Assembly.
“My main role will be to facilitate the new Board of Directors of the WCCS with networking and guidance. Hopefully, this will create more opportunities and open up doors for the organisation and chiropractics worldwide.”
As the first person from South Africa to represent the World Federation of Chiropractic delegation, Dr Schmidt said, “This can only increase awareness of chiropractic in South Africa and can educate the community of the benefits of chiropractic.”
He said he hopes to continue working with naturopathic doctors from America in order to set up a world-wide student organisation for the naturopathic students.
He will be meeting with naturopathic doctors and students in Geneva to find a way forward with regard to this.
One of the main goals for the WCCS is to become an NGO in official relations with the WHO (one of the highest honours for a non-profit organisation).
This would not be possible without the WFC inviting the WCCS to attend as part of their delegation.
Finally Dr Schmidt said, “I try to network with as many South Africans as possible in order to increase the awareness of chiropractice in South Africa.”
