| Not only should medical education in developing countries be based on the needs of those countries, but also the medical practitioner should be trained to play his part in the process of social readjustment that a national development plan represents. Medical and health education are not ends in themselves; when integrated with other national development efforts they become the means by which social well-being and productivity are increased. Responsibility for programme development should be shared by those providing services: educators, administrators, professionals, etc., and the consumers of the services: the members of the community. Research and training, closely related to field needs, are an important part of the programme directed to overall national health goals, which the Colombian Association of Medical Colleges has embarked on in collaboration with affiliated institutions such as the National Institute of Nutrition, and with the Colombian Association of Universities, and governmental bodies. International cooperation and strengthening of national and regional organizations will help medical educators play a more meaningful role in developing their societies. |