2012

In 1920, while World War One had revealed the importance of a closer cooperation between the Armed Forces Medical Services worldwide, Captain William S. BAINBRIDGE, MD (US NAVY) and General Jules VONCKEN, MD, Belgium suggested, at the 28th session of the US Military Officers Association (AMSUS), the creation of an international organization of the Armed Forces Medical Services.

GeneralJules VONCKEN, MD(Belgium, Red Cross)

CaptainWilliam S. BAINBRIDGE, MD(US Navy, AMSUS)

The Founding Fathers

The objective of the Committee is to share the knowledge and the lessons learned in the field.

The Permanent Committee of the International Congresses of Military Medicine and Pharmacy became in 1938 the International Committee of Military Medicine and Pharmacy (ICMMP) and the 28th of April 1990 the Committee simplified its name and became the International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM).

Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.

There were eight founding members:

The Committee is an international and intergovernmental organization, composed by Member States recognized by the United Nations and based on the principles of neutrality and impartiality in all areas.

The Permanent Committee of the International Congresses of Military Medicine and Pharmacy (CPCIMPM) was officially founded on July 21, 1921.

Currently, the ICMM counts over one hundred Member States

Relations with international organizations are based on exchange of information and documents, mutual cooperation, regular consultations and reciprocal representations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross provides educational support to international courses of the ICMM dealing with Geneva Conventions and with the support of refugees and displaced persons.

A Memorandum of Understanding with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) was signed in 2006.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2009 with UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program to stop and reverse the spread of HIV and scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

On 21 May 1952, the World Health Organization recognized the ICMM as an international body specialized in medico-military matters.

The main goals are:• To maintain and to strengthen the bonds between all medical services of Member States,• To promote medico-military scientific activities,• To participate in the development of the medical and medico-military setting of humanitarian operations.

The activities of the ICMM include:• Military medicine in a broad sense,• Survey of techniques for assessing aptitudes,• Disaster medicine,• Mass medicine,• Dentistry,• Military pharmacy,• Veterinary sciences,• Administration, organization and logistics of medical care missions.

- A General Assembly of the National Delegates:• Identification of the technical and scientific objectives,• Statutory, financial and diplomatic issues.

- Scientific Sessions:• Oral presentations,• Round tables,• Posters.

Normally organized every two years (odd years). The World Congresses consist of:

World Congresses

The scientific activities are supported by international events

- A Regional Assembly of the National Delegates• Identification of the technical and scientific objectives• Issues on regional statutes and finances• Not intended to cover policy issues, these are reserved for the General Assembly.

They consist of:

- Scientific Sessions • Oral presentations,• Round tables,• Posters

Normally organized every two years (the even years), they are closely associated with the activity of the Regional Working Groups (RWG):

• Pan African RWG• Pan American RWG• Pan Arab RWG• Pan Asia Pacific RWG• Pan European RWG• Maghreb RWG

Regional Congresses

Courses

Like all activities of the ICMM, courses are organized and supported by host Member States.

Courses organized under the aegis of the ICMM• Courses on International Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC).• Courses for medical personnel serving in Peace support operation (PSO).• Courses for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.• Courses on health support of deployments in specific environments.• International Course on medical preparation and health support of personnel.

Courses recommended by the ICMM• Aviation medicine, hyperbaric and diving medicine, wounds from weapons of mass destruction.• Course on infectious diseases and tropical pathology for military medical officers.

The International Review of the Armed Forces Medical Services is also fully available online, on the website of the ICMM

www.cimm-icmm.org

The Review provides also News of the ICMM and of the Member States.

Quarterly journal published mainly in English and French. The Review is sent to all Health Services of the Member States.

The best presentations in the world and regional congresses are published in the Review as articles.

Field experiences submitted by personnel of Military Health Services of the ICMM Member States, are also published in the Review.

It is also the permanent link with the Member States.

www.cimm-icmm.org

Feel free to visit the website frequently: www.cimm-icmm.org

Thank you for your interest

in the actions and activities of

The International Committee of Military Medicine