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The Chairman of the Warsaw Regional Medical Council Andrzej WŁODARCZYK said... |  |  |  |
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Almost exactly twenty years ago on 19th May 1989 the Sejm adopted Act on Medical Chambers. The act transferring a part of the state powers to our professional self-government was one of the crucial elements of reviving freedom and democracy in Poland.
Many Polish people fighting for the independence of Poland fought also, indirectly, for a possibility for self-governments of professions in which the public repose confidence to exist, perceiving such a possibility as an indispensible attribute of a democratic country. After twenty years, however, opinions questioning the purposefulness of existence of the medical self-government in the present formula can be heard. The history of our country and other societies delivers many examples that once gained rights often have to be fought for again and again. In spite of all doubts and having summarised the achievements of medical and other professional self-governments in building democracy in Poland I can say that we have grounds to look to the future with optimism.
A few years ago and five years after giving the Chamber the name of Jan Nielubowicz the Regional Medical Chamber in Warsaw published a book "The Reborn Medical Class" ("Odrodzony stan lekarski"). The publication contains the words once said by our patrons which I would like to dedicate to all of us.
Professor Nielubowicz said: "For many years, while being one of teachers of Polish doctors, I was watching their struggle. Every generation after years finally reached the same way which resulted from the sense of responsibility of those who were before, who still are and who will be after us". Dr Jerzy Moskwa confessed: "I have been connected with the idea of self-government for good or for ill for years. I have always treated my membership in the corporation as a privilege not a burdensome duty". His words are still valid.