IFMSA Newsletter December

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Dear IFMSA member, It is our pleasure to share with you the IFMSA’s December 2012 E-newsletter. We hope this newsletter will provide you with helpful information & updates in the different IFMSA regions during this month. And on behalf of the publication team, we wish you a very happy and prosperous new year. May this new year bring many opportunities your way to explore every joy of life. We Hope this new year fills your life with happiness and perfect health always, much more success and happiness.

Ismail El-Kharbotly & Khalid Hamid E-Newsletter Co-Editors

DECEMBER 2012

Register yourself for March Meeting 2013 in USA Here

In this Issue News and updates from: • NMOs Brazil Dominican Republic Kurdistan-Iraq Libya Iran Venezuela St Kitts and Nevis Quebec • Standing Committees

Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly News Here

WHO and UNICEF condemn attacks on health workers in Pakistan Here

SCORP SCORA • Liaison Officers • Regions Americas • Training Support Division • Last Page

Find out about what happened at RIO+20 and the future that we want Here!

Please use the Hyperlinks above for easy Navigation and Klick on Bar Flower to go back the 1st Page :)

World Malaria Report 2012. Check it Here

NMOs

Brazil:

Congress of Brazilian Medical Students (January 2013) From the 6th to the 13th of January, the Congress of Brazilian Medical Students will take place in OuroPreto, Brazil. Medical students representing each medical school in Brazil will attend and have the opportunity to reflect deeply about issues to do with medical education, healthcare and student mobilization through training and discussions.

The Congress is also DENEM-Brazil´s National Assembly, where all medical students are able to participate actively in the construction of DENEM´s strategic plan for the year 2013.

DENEM´s new Executive Board and National Coordinators are also elected at this time.

If you would like to attend the congress please contact: denem-brazil@ifmsa.org For more information about the congress please visit: http://cobrem2013.wix.com/cobrem

Dominican Republic:

IFMSA-Dominican Republic organizes SCOME round table on cholesterol awareness

By Vanesa Disla (NOME, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) On December 1st 2012, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM) celebrated its third General Assembly, an opportunity to hold national elections, and discuss completed health projects and future ODEM events.

The highlight of this eventwas the SCOME round table which was organized by two National Officers of Medical Education (NOMEs) and comprised an academic presentation with clinical cases and an interactive discussion. The theme of the round table was titled, “What do you know about cholesterol?”, so ODEM members had the opportunity tolearn aboutthe types of cholesterol, the role of cholesterol in physiological processes and the impact of unhealthy cholesterol levels. Furthermore, students discussed important communication strategies to educate patients about healthy lifestyle choices.

IFMSA-Dominican Republic supports two delegates for ICPD Global Youth Forum 2012

By Dr. Andrea De Lemos Kelner (Local Officer of Public Health, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) At present an estimated 43% of the global population is under 25 years of age. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014 organized the Global Youth Forum 2012, in Bali, Indonesia, to target discussions and develop recommendations on issues pertaining to youths.

From December 3rd to 6th, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM) had the opportunity to support two recent medical school graduates, Dr. Andrea De Lemos and Dr. Keithel Jonathan Brea, as virtual delegates for the ICPD Global Youth Forum 2012. This was a unique experience which allowedthe delegates to participate in virtual discussions on topics such asstaying healthy, comprehensive education, youth employment, families and youth rights, and civic participation. They gained insight and knowledge about the global youth situation and collaborated to develop global recommendations on varioushealth issues, which were reviewed by the plenary moderators and influenced the development of the ICPD Beyond 2014 Review.

Additional information about the ICPD Global Youth Forum 2012 may be found at: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/13-icpd-global-youth-forum.

IFMSA-Dominican Republic celebrates Global Handwashing Day

By Mayelinne García (NOME, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) In efforts to reduce the high global infant mortality rate and improve hygiene and sanitation practices across all communities, the United Nations declared October 15th as Global Handwashing Day. Our ODEM SCOMEdians coordinated the national health campaign, “Clean hands save lives”, to promote the importance of handwashing as a method to reduce disease transmission.

Team members created promotional brochures and posters to display at the medical schools. They developed educational seminars with interactive dynamic activities for students at the Santa Clara de Asisprimary school and for residents of the surrounding rural communities.

They also utilized social media to highlight scientific articles and websites so that healthcare students could review optimal handwashing practices at home, school and the hospital.

Kurdistan-Iraq:

IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq stepping forward

By Avin Omar (President, IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq) Accepted as a Candidate Member in 2010, IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq (representing medical students from the Kurdistan Federal Region of Iraq) has made great progress towards developing the health care sector as well as human rights in our dear Region.

We initially started out as2 local committees (LCs) with a third (Duhok city)joining ourIFMSA family in 2011. We look forward to welcoming our fourth local committee soon!

In April 2012 we had our National Meeting which was the first big meeting of our 3 local committees. Observers from potential future LCs joined us for the event.

Through the endless efforts of our awesomemembers, we have achieved many great things in the last two years that have positively impacted the daily lives of many medical students and citizens in our Region. We have many other activities planned, and look forward to achieving them!

SCORPions in Action: A visit to Dumiz Camp, on the Kurdistan-Syria border

By Kevi Jaafar (NORP, IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq) Dumiz camp is a refugee camp set up by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in collaboration with the UNHCR. In November 2012, a group of SCORPions visited the camp in order to assess living conditions and health care needs of the people living there.

Many amenities have already been provided by the KRG as well asnational NGOs, however, as part of IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq’s humanitarian work, activities for promoting health in the camp are also underway for the sake of a better life!

SCORAngels: Educating women about Breast Cancer

By Zhiyar Ghadry (NORA, IFMSA-Kurdistan/Iraq) During October 2012 the“Breast Cancer Awareness and Self-Examination Campaign” was conducted in a number of Primary Health Care Centers and schools around Kurdistan.Our SCORAngels gave workshops, educating the public about breast cancer and how to perform breast self-examinations, and distributed brochures.

Our ultimate aim is for earlier detection, and an overall decrease in the incidence of cancer!

Libya: National Marathon for Breast Cancer Awareness

By Walid Ganod and Moamer Kday (Marathon Co-ordinators) This is an event that aims to raiseawareness about breast cancer during the “pink” month of October. It takes the form of a race in which medical students in various towns and cities around Libya compete to inform the public as much as possible about breast cancer. Lectures, workshops and exhibitions are held at the same time for the same purpose.

Participant numbers are calculated and published weekly in order to increase the levels of excitement and enthusiasm amongst the medical students.

At the end of the marathon, results are announced at a ceremony where the winning group gains much respect.

First Medical Training Course 2012

By Mohammed El-Hajj (LOME-LMSA) This is one of SCOME-LMSA’s annual training programs whichaims to improve the medical skills of medical students and young doctors and introduce them to new types of medical equipment.

The training course is held in the Zliten Teaching Hospital and has two parts: The first is a training course called “Ultrasonography in Medical Diagnosis” where 11 GPs specialised in ultrasonography give a session to the participants.

The second part is the “Immediate Life Support Course” where approximately fifty medical students are taught to deal with emergency situations in a clearer, faster and safer way.

LMSAT NAJA Campaign

By Nada Darhoube (LPO-LMSA) Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women after cervical cancer. However, there is a lack of accurate statistics showing the extent of the disease in Libya, and there is poor public awareness of the disease.

A study conducted in 2010 on 5000 Libyan women showed that only 10.3% of the women have knowledge about breast cancer. Based on these findings, LMSA announced the LMSAT NAJAH campaign.

This campaign seeks to educate women about the importance of self-examination through lectures given by well-trained medical students. The lectures are given in schools, colleges and public events rooms. After the lectures educational leaflets are distributed to participants.

The LMSAT NAJA campaign started in October 2012 and will continue for three months.

Iran: SCORPions helping to improve hospital stays for children Our SCORPions have recently developed a project that aims to bring happiness to children atthe Imam Hossein Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The children use toy bikes and vehicles to travel from room to room within the hospital. From their smiles, it is obvious that they love the rides! (please see pictures) In addition, women from the local community (supported by the Imam Ali community) have been involved in decorating healthcare equipment and supplies with colourful cartoons and patterns. This approach has not only permitted job creation (with the opportunity to sell these products to paediatricians and children’s medical centers) but has also provided a special and joyful hospital environment for young patients.

For more details pleasecontact: scorp@ifmsa-iran.ir

SCORAngels targeting HIV/AIDS Our SCORAngels recently organised a national education project in three major Iranian cities: Tehran (the capital), Isfahan and Kish. The content of the project focused on the transmission, testing and prevention of HIV, as well as ways in which HIV and associated stigma can be eliminated. The project was geared towards people in the general population, in at-risk populations and amongst university students.

Illustrated booklets were distributed amongst illiterate PLWHAs in order to increase adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and to improve the level of knowledge about reproductive health.

On the 24th of October an HIV workshop was held with the goal of informing medical students about what HIV/AIDS actually is, how stigma and discrimination towards PLWHA can be diminished, what medical staff should do if they sustain needle-stick injuries, and what approach healthcare workers should take when visiting HIV positive people.

For more information please contact: scora@ifmsa-iran.ir

SCOPH collaborations for World Diabetes Day Isfahan Local Committee’s SCOPH group recently celebrated diabetes awareness through the “Great Gathering on Diabetes” on the 9th of November 2012. The members also coordinated the “Diabetes Screening Carnival” for World Diabetes Day events on the 13th of November 2012.

For more information please contact: scoph@ifmsa-iran.ir

Venezuela: World AIDS Day Efforts by FEVESOCEM-Venezuela

By Emanuel Sayago (President, FEVESOCEM), Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez, M.D. (Alumnus, FEVESOCEM), and BelkisMenoni Blanco, M.D. (National Alumni Coordinator, FEVESOCEM) World AIDS Day has become an event to commemorate every year on December 1st.

This global event is dedicated to remembering the victims of AIDS, helping the public learn more about the devastating effects of the disease, and reaffirming commitments to fight HIV. We at FEVESOCEM-Venezuela hope to create awareness and be part of a global community that is united on this day to end discrimination. On December 1st 2012 we held our second-ever “Zero AIDS Zero DISCRIMINATION - Turning the tide together” Conference. Furthermore, our medical students have been involved in placing the Red Ribbon in various locations throughout Venezuela.

We very much hope you will join us to be part of change and the fight against AIDS!

St Kitts and Nevis: IFMSA-St Kitts and Nevis’ First Blood Drive On Saturday December 16th, IFMSA-SKN (under the guidance of, and incollaboration with, the local JNF hospital, PAHO, and the Ministry of Health) organised its first blood drive. This event stood out as our initial “great push”, seeking to convert blood donation in St. Kitts from a friend/family-based activity (in which friends or relatives of a loved one donate blood in anticipation of a medical procedure) to a voluntary and hopefully, sustainable, community-based activity.

During the blood drive members of the IFMSA-SKN team involved local donors in surveys to attain a better understanding of how they perceive blood donation. The surveys will also be used to explore whether, and how, the blood donation experience can be improved in order to make it as pleasant and educational an experience as possible.

Quebec: All articles written by Claudel Desrosiers (President, IFMSA-Quebec)

Call for trainer at TNT 2013 IFMSA-Quebec invites you to our annual TNT to be held in Saguenay, between February 7th and 9th2013. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic trainer to team with one or two trainers from Quebec. Plane tickets will be partly funded ($500). Applicants need to send a short motivation letter and their resume topresident@ifmsa.qc.ca before December 28th, 23:59 (GMT-5).

For more information please read the invitation package: http://issuu.com/ifmsa_quebec/docs/invitationpackage_tnt2013_ifmsaquebec?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

IFMSA-Quebec’s brand new promotional booklet!

Over the last few months, IFMSA-Quebec VP for Externals, Olivier Gagné, put his heart and soul in the making of a new promotional booklet filled with inspiring quotes from various health professionals and agents of change, including Dr. Paul Farmer. The result is breathtaking and we hope this guide inspires our Federation worldwide.

Have a look here: http://issuu.com/ifmsa_quebec/docs/inspiration?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

IFMSA-Quebec’s America’s Regional Meeting blog The IFMSA-Quebec delegation to the Regional Meeting of the Americas encourages you to read their daily bilingual blog (French and English). The delegates will follow up each day with their objectives and the skills and knowledge they gain throughout the day. The meeting will take place from January 3rd-11th, 2013 in El Salvador.

You can read more at: http://rm2013.ifmsa.qc.ca

Global Health Newsletter The Global Health Newsletter is IFMSA-Quebec’s official publication and is issued four times a year. Articles are written in both English and French. If you are interested in being published in our GHN, send your article toinfo@ifmsa.qc.ca.

To read the last edition please see: http://issuu.com/ifmsa_quebec/docs/bsm_6_-_11-2012?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

Gmail and IT training guide IFMSA-Quebec has put together a Gmail and IT training guide to help our new members. We encourage you to share it within your NMOs as it is a very useful tool. http://issuu.com/ifmsa_quebec/docs/gmail_and_it_training?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

IFMSA Quebec’s social media pages Like our facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ifmsaquebec and/or follow us on twitter at: @ifmsa_quebec

Standing Committees

Human Rights Day 2012

By Fares Al-Fares (SCORP Director) 2012 has been a year like no other for human rights. Human rights has been the center of many global discussions, and remains a vital aspect of our global community.December 10th 2012, marks World Human Rights Day, the 64th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

On December 10th, members of the International Federation of Medical Students‘ Associations (IFMSA) lent their voices with the goal of promoting awareness about fundamental human rights and violations of these.Numerous activities such as lectures, exhibitions, debates, movie nights, and peer education workshops were carried out with the aim of raising awareness, building knowledge and skills, and raising support for those in need.

For IFMSA SCORP, Human Rights Day is one of the most important events in our calendar.United, we take to voicing our concerns to healthcare professionals everywhere on the importance of the right to health. Let us not forget that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.

We at the IFMSA stand up for human rights by taking the lead locally and globally. We stand with our fellow medical students around the world who struggle for their rights and those of others. Furthermore, we stand for strengthening our security and well being, and stand against the abuses of human rights, including but not limited to,hatred, violence, conflict, corruption, and discrimination. We, the IFMSA, believe that it is our duty as future physicians to integrate a human rights-based approach to health in our practice - it is our duty to promote the right to health!

On December 10th, we medical students salute all those who have sufferedthrough seeking what is rightfully theirs, as well as those people who, in their own way, are saying “We have a voice, we have our rights,and we want them to be protected and respected“, because, simply, that is how it should be!

World AIDS Day Desiree Lichtenstein (SCORA Director) Every year on the 1st of December IFMSA and SCORA celebrate World AIDS Day (WAD). SCORAngels all around the world use this occasion to raise awareness, fight prejudice, educate and raise money to fight the HIV epidemic. The World AIDS Day theme for 2012 was “Getting to Zero. Zero New HIV Infections.Zero Discrimination.Zero AIDS-related deaths�.

On a local and national level SCORA members marked the day by holding peer education workshops, seminars, awareness campaigns, flash-mobs, fund-raising parties and parades.On an international level medical students were invited to sign a pledge against stigma and discrimination of HIV-patients within healthcare and share their WAD-stories and pictures on the WAD-blog.

Read different NMOs contributions and the WAD Statement, and sign the pledge on the WAD-blog: http://ifmsa.wordpress.com/category/wad/

Regional Peer Education Trainings (PET) Desiree Lichtenstein (SCORA Director) Peer Education is coming your way! Say hello to AfriPET, PaPET and EMR-PET for the upcoming Regional Meetings in December and January.Peer Education is a way of teaching that is interactive; it focuses on behavioral change and can be used in many different areas.

SCORA uses peer education when discussing topics such as HIV/AIDS, gender equality and reproductive rights. It is an effective way to work on different health issues.

The PETs will give the new peer educators the tools to set up, maintain and improve peer education programs in their NMOs. Thanks to a UNESCO Participation Program Grant the Regional PETs will all be held without participation fees.

Regional Peer Education Trainings (PET) Desiree Lichtenstein (SCORA Director) On the 1st of October 2012 a new term began and a new SCORA International Team was established. The SCORA International Team consists ofa Training Assistant, Publications Assistant, Advocacy and Policy Assistant, Regional Assistants for each region, the SCORA LO and the SCORA D. If you need help with anything, for example, establishing SCORA in your NMO, help with SCORA activities or just discussing what the next step in your committee should be, please contact us!

For more information and to keep updated on SCORA activities please: join the SCORA yahoogroup (by sending a blank e-mail to ifmsa-scora-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) and our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23117698977) or email the SCORA D at scorad@ifmsa.org

Liaison Officers

A youth’s vision of the future - The Bali Declaration: outcome document of the Global Youth Forum

By Joško Miše (Liaison Officer for Reproductive Health issues including AIDS)

The Global Youth Forum brought together hundreds of youth, civil society and member states (amongst others, and in addition to the 2400+ virtual youth delegates) to identify and discuss issues and priorities facing today’s and tomorrow’s generation of young people within the context of population and development. IFMSA was present with a delegation of 4 people (Joško Miše (LO SCORA), Anna Rasmussen, Marija Delaš and Johanne Iversen).

The overall goal of the Forum was to “produce recommended actions for the outcome report of the [ICPD +20] review and for the post-2015 United Nations development agenda, as well as to generate a new consensus on putting youth rights at the heart of development.”

Prior to the event, five priority themes were identified which laid the foundation for discussions throughout the 3-day Forum. The five themes included: staying healthy, comprehensive education, families, youth-rights and well-being.

The recommendations contained in the final Bali Declaration provide youth advocates with concrete tools which they can use to advance towards a progressive rights-based agenda both within the remaining spaces of the ICPD+20 review process and the shaping of the post2015 development agenda. The Bali Declaration is a powerful document through which we can strongly influence the decision makers to put young people at the center of shaping the future we want.

You can read about the Global Youth Forum, the importance of the Bali Declaration as well as some of the concerns that arose during the Forum on our blog posts about the GYF.

Regions

AMERICAS: 2013 Americas Regional Meeting in El Salvador

By Alheli Calderon Villarreal (Regional Coordinator for the Americas) Hello IFMSA family!

The Americas Region islooking forward to the next IFMSA meetings in the Region (RM13 El Salvador, MM13 USA and AM13 Chile).2013 is the year ofPAMSA’s 10thAnniversary, andcelebrations will start during theAmericas Regional Meeting in El Salvador, the “Pulgarcito” of America!

The RM will be between January 6thand 11th, and will take place at Los Cabanos beach, a beautiful place with gold and black sand. The theme event is “Health Systems in America and the Caribbean”and topics to be presented include administrative management, comparisons between different health systems in the region, integration of health systems models, and research in America and the Caribbean.

Other activities include the Health System Fair, Global Health Debate and Anniversary Session. We are proud to say that several PAHO externals will also be assisting us during the Standing Committee sessions. The social program is an important part of PAMSA’s teambuilding exercises -there will be a Mayas Party, Hawaiian Party and a Fire Party in addition to the NFDP, night clubs and other fun activities.

The Pre-RM will be in San Salvador, the country´s capital, and will host four wonderful workshops: PAMSA Exchanges, Pan-American Peer Education Training, Training New Trainers and Global Health Equity and Health Systems. After the Pre-RM delegates will have the opportunity tovisit a turtle sanctuary to learn more about these wonderful animals. The Post-RM will take placein both San Salvador (El Salvador) and Antigua (Guatemala).

The opportunity to join a Regional Meeting helps us to improve our IFMSA knowledge and skills, as well as form lifelong friendships. By attending we are better able todevelop ourselves as well as our NMOs and regions.

Let´s continue Rocking! Llama hugs to all you!

Training Support Division

IFMSA Rocking the Training Week in September (Training4ALL and MedSCOOP)

By JoškoMiše (Liaison Officer on Reproductive Health issues including AIDS)

The IFMSA Training Division, SCORA and Regional Coordinator for Europe came up with an idea in March 2012 to organiseTraining4ALL (T4ALL), the biggest training event (outside of GAs) in recent IFMSA history. T4ALL took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from the 24th to the 28th of September 2012, gathering together almost 100 participants from more than a dozen countries. At the event, the Training New Trainers (TNT) , Training Old Trainers (TOT) and International Peer Education Training (IPET) sessions took placeconcurrently so that participants could experience a unique mix of IFMSA trainings.

T4ALLwas a huge milestone for IFMSA because trainings were assessed through a non-formal education quality assurance process conducted by the European Youth Forum (YFJ). As a result, our TNTs, TOTs and IPETs will be fully certified.

Between the28th to the 30th of September,MedSCOOP, the biggest training event of the Portuguese Medical Students’ International Committee (PorMSIC) took place. IFMSA ensured the presence of 5 members from the Team of Officials 2011/2012 – President, CristopherPleyer; VPE, RoopaDhatt; SCORA Director, JoškoMiše; Trainings Director, Mariana Costa; and RC Europe, Miguel Cabral.

Trainings were delivered on a variety of topics and we were extremely thankful for being able to interact with IFMSAians working at the local level, being introduced to their activities, teaching them how to become global health advocates, sharing IFMSA experiences, and hearing them say that we inspire them.

After receiving many positive comments and feedback, we realised how, with a few simple things, it is possible to bring about great change - this is where the beauty of IFMSA lives! Thank you PorMSIC for having us there and for organizing a great week of trainings for IFMSA! We hope this will inspire more NMOs to host T4ALL next year!

Acknowledgment The Publications Team would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Bisher Al-Halabi from IFMSA-Kuwait for all of his kindness in assisting us with the HTML programming required to turn our Enewsletter into reality. Bisher has given generously of his time and expertise and we are very Grateful for all he has done for us. Thankyou Bisher; you are Absolutely Wonderful!

With best wishes, IFMSA Publications Team.

E-newsletter Team IFMSA Publications Support D.D: • Bronwyn Jones

Co-Editors of the E-newsletter: • Ismail El-Kharbotly • Khalid Hamid

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Layout and Designing: • Ibrahim Mousa • Airin Aldiani • Hassan Aboul-Nour • Eric Melendez