IFMSA Newsletter November by AMSB Sofia

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Dear IFMSA member, Welcome to the IFMSA’s inaugural E-newsletter !

NOVEMBER 2012

In this Issue News and updates from: • President’s Message • NMOs

Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly News Here

• Regions • Project Support Division • Training Support Division

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

• Team of Officials • Upcoming Events Please use the Hyperlinks above for easy Navigation and Klick on Bar Flower to go back the 1st Page :)

President`s Message Dear IFMSA members, Dear partners and Dear friends, There are few moments in one’s life that one has the opportunity to serve an organisation as diverse, as representative, and with as much history and potential as IFMSA. It is with great honor, that I begin my term for 2012/13. IFMSA finds itself in a unique place—as one of the few organisations in the world that focuses on capacity building and outreach to medical students worldwide. Over the years we have seen IFMSA addressing a variety of social and health issues—and striving to be at the forefront of increasing awareness, amongst other global health activists. We focus our efforts locally, nationally and internationally. As I embark on this one-year journey to serve IFMSA and its members, I will focus on embodying the spirit of IFMSA that has inspired me throughout my medical education and training—collaboration, friendship and open-mindedness.

Roopa Dhatt

IFMSA President 2012/13

Our founders came together in a period of history where growing disparities in the socio-economic and political arenas challenged the health and wellbeing of people around the world. While we find ourselves in a world where the boundaries and tools have changed drastically, we still find ourselvesin a world where there are growing disparities and lack of equity—in education, socio-economic opportunities, environment, personal safety, and health. These disparities are further challenged by gender, sexuality, discrimination, and socio-political factors. IFMSA is a Federation that aspires to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global health issues. Through our programs and opportunities, we develop culturally sensitive students of medicine, intent on influencing the transnational inequalities that shape the health of our planet.

We aim to: • Expose all medical students to humanitarian and health issues, providing them with the opportunity to educate themselves and their peers; • Facilitate partnerships between the medical student community and international organisations working on health, education and social issues; • Give all medical students the opportunity to take part in clinical and research exchanges around the world; • Provide a network that links active medical students across the globe, including student leaders, project managers and activists, so that they can learn from and be motivated by each other; • Provide an international framework in which medical student projects can be realized; • Empower and train medical students to become advocates in leading social change. As President, I plan to focus on the objectives set by our members and work with medical students and partners to achieve social change on the issues that impact the health and wellbeing of people around the globe. This year we will have a special focus on: • Social determinants of health (with a focus on development and environment) • Universal health coverage (in the context of comprehensive primary care) • Open access to essential medicines and research/information sharing My personal approach will be to work in a collaborative and transparent manner, with a special emphasis on outreach and empowerment of IFMSA internally and externally. I look forward to working with all of you and representing IFMSA amongst the leaders of health. Please feel free to contact me anytime at president@ifmsa.org , as I am here to serve you and your needs. Sincerely, Roopa Dhatt IFMSA President 2012/13

NMOs

Brazil:

Libras emSaúde: A Brazilian Way to Break The Silence By Ana Beatriz Silva Carvalho (NOME IFMSA- Brazil)

Conceived from the transnational project “Breaking the Silence”, Libras emSaúde is a project whose main objectives are to introduce health professionals toLIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language), to instigate discussion about its mandatory inclusion in the medical curriculum, and of course, to increase awareness of the realities facing deaf people in Brazil as well as worldwide. A story of inclusion told by IFMSA-Brazil since 2010,Libras emSaúde has been a successful spur for integration and accessibility in health. It’s happening now and all over the country.

Dominican Republic:

SCOMEdiansin Action: Importance of Optimal Patient Security in The Clinical Setting By VanesaDisla de Jesús (NOME,IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) In June 2012, our ODEM SCOMEdians collaborated with senior academic leaders to complement program activities of the 6th National Medical School conference,which was attended by 700 students from five cities. To emphasize that our first priority is our patient, ourposter display included “patient safety” topics: 1) communication during patient transfers; 2) safe disposal and use of injection devices; 3) medication errors; 4) hand hygiene and sanitation. Team members also developed abrochure, “Ten key points about patient safety.” As we combine enthusiasm, creativity and dedication, our voices (health message) are loud and our work efforts (health projects) are examples of solid and effective collaborations.

SCOPHians in Action: The Importance of Ocular Health By Cynthia C. Then Morlas(LPO, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) From October 15-19, 2012, our ODEM SCOPHians celebrated World Sight Day by organizing the medical seminar, “Vision: Clinical knowledge and skills for a lifetime,” given by expert ophthalmologist, Dr. Faroche Melgen, to over 90 health science students. Dr. Melgen not only discussed several ophthalmologic pathologies that patients may present with at the primary care clinic, but also showed the “human touch” in caring for patients. Team members were involved in making colorful educational fliers to display at universities, and wrote scientific narratives on risk factors for ocular disease and the importance of healthy habits, which were uploaded onto various social media sites (e.g. listserve, blog, Facebook).

SCORPions in Action: Peace For Our Communities By Dahiana Espino Genao (Miembro active, IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) On September 21, 2012, our ODEM SCORPions celebrated the International Day of Peace in four different cities: Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macoris, Neiba and La Vega. Team members developed a logo and fliers, compiled a list of peace quotes in English and Spanish for the IFMSA community,and took inspirational photos in green shirts to share via social media. From October 1-7, 2012, our SCORPions celebrated the International Day of Older Persons by spending time with elderly citizens inrural communities and sharing messages of peace, as well asby developing a logo and sharing positive messages via social media.

SCORAngels in Action: Adolescent Health By Keithel Jonathan Brea de la Cruz (LORA) and Franchesca Mirre González (NORA) (IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) (IFMSA-Dominican Republic (ODEM)) In August 2012, our ODEM SCORAngels delivered the health campaign, “Preventing pregnancies and STDs in adolescents,” to 60 students between the ages of 13-16 years at the Republic of Panama primary school in East Santo Domingo. The interactive presentation included puberty, basic anatomy and physiology of reproductive organs, menstrual cycle and pregnancy, family planning and available conceptive methods. Following the presentation, the team facilitated an open discussion in order to clarify any questions related to these health topics. The adolescent audience participated actively in discussion, and the academic leadership requested that our SCORAngels include their school for future health campaigns.

Portugal: CEMEF’s CEMEF’s is an annual scheme organized by PorMSIC which provides students enrolled in Portuguese medical schools with the opportunity to conduct two-week medical clerkships during the summer vacation. Every year more than 700 students between their 3rd and 6th years of medical school take part in this activity in Portuguese hospitals and/ or primary healthcare centers. During clerkship, students are integrated into a clinical service of their choice, allowing them to expand their knowledge and clinical skills. Thus, CEMEF’s provides an opportunity for students to grow professionally while learning about an area that interests them. For more information please contact: cemefs@anem.pt

Closer Medicine Project The Closer Medicine Project is organized by AEFML, a local committee of PorMSICPortugal. Its goal is to deliver healthcare to populations that have difficulty in attaining it. The project has both a national and an international component. The main aim of the national component is to provide basic health care through health promotion activities (such as screening for cardiovascular risk factors) in kindergartens, schools, and daycare centers. The international component takes place in Mozambique, and aims to provide mothers and their children with basic health care; as well aseducate patients about how to stay healthy through health promotion lessons. For more information please contact: saudepublica@aefml.pt

Humanising Healthcare - Congress This November, one hundred Portuguese medical students, teachers and healthcare professionals from different backgrounds met in the city of Porto for PorMSIC’s National Congress. They were all together with a unique goal in mind: to advocate for the humanisation of healthcare. Through sharing ideas, and by attending workshops, perspectives were shifted away from being strongly focused on technological and scientific developments to being more holistic in outlook. This event was featured by “+Humans”, a project of PorMSIC that is currently changing the face of healthcare in Portugal! For more information please contact: norp@anem.pt

Med on Tour Initiative - by SCORA and SCOPH Between the 25th and the 28th of October, 33 medical students had the opportunity to make a difference in a small Portuguese townthrough the Med on tour initiative. During those 4 days, 250 middle school students and 70 elderly people participated in peer education sessions; 100 people had their blood pressure and glycaemic index checked;and children took their toys to the Teddy Bear Hospital, whilst having the opportunity to concurrently learn about reproductive health. Med on Tour was a great event that inspired everyone involved to be the change they want to see in the world. For more information please contact: nora@anem.pt or npo@anem.pt

Scientific Insight @ In October PorMSIC organized a formal social gathering (tertúlia), in the cities of Braga, Oporto, Covilhã, Coimbra and Lisbon. The theme of the gathering was “Nobel Prizes”, and students had the unique opportunity of meeting famous scientists and professors to discuss the topics associated with the most recent Nobel Prizes. The event provided a relaxed environment in which both knowledge and stories were shared.

For more information please contact: nore@anem.pt

PET and T4PE together Last May PorMSIC’s SCOPE and SCORE organised two PET and T4PE sessions that took place in the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Braga. Organizing the PET and T4PE for the same day and the same city provided more outgoing exchange students with the opportunity to attend these events where they were given the chance to share ideas and make travel plans with others. After the sessions participants generally felt better prepared for their exchanges.

For more information please contact: neo@anem.pt or nore@anem.pt

Venezuela: Introducing FEVESOCEM, IFMSA-Venezuela’s new Local Committee! Who are we? FEVESOCEM is the Medical Students’ Association at Los Andes University in Táchira State; we practise science and bring smiles to people. In the past two years we have had many great achievements, among which are community activities such as giving gifts to children in poor communities, and screening for hypertension in San Cristóbal, Táchira’s capital city. One of our main foci is on emphasising the importance of research to Los Andes’ medical students. In the last few years our medical students have published more and more of their work and have performed well at both national and international congresses.

Unconditional support: We must acknowledge our consultant, psychiatrist Dr. Oscar Medina, who has over the years given us his unconditional support. Dr Medina has been the basis of many of our achievements and community relationships; he has allowed us to realise that research is simple and that it just depends on the flame that burns inside us. We also want to thank our school coordinator, Dr. Rafael Labrador, who has always reached out to us and allowed us to carry on with activities that are beneficial to our students.

Unconditional support: In the course of the next year we have many new activities planned, including the “Fundamentals Workshop” for students in psychiatry; the Scientific Academic Conference (ACUEM); “Táchira Community Service Days”; and workshops in surgical techniques, management of trauma patients, electrocardiogram interpretation and many other topics. Our ultimate aim is to help more Venezuelan medical students join our IFMSA family.

Regions

ASIA-PACIFIC: September 2012 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting in Malaysia By Dr. Vincent Khor (Regional Coordinator for Asia-Pacific; OC Chairperson for APRM 2012) The Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) 2012 was held successfully from the 13th to the 16th of September 2012, at Bayview Georgetown Hotel, Penang, Malaysia, and was attended by 258 medical students from around the region. The theme for the APRM was “Transitions 2012: Doctors-in-Training Changing the Global Health Landscape of Asia-Pacific”. Asia-Pacific is a rapidly evolving region whose countries are striving to transform their health systems, adopt new medical technologies, address emerging health threats, and reduce lingering health inequities. Indeed, the entire Asia-Pacific region is in itself a health system in transition. The region’s medical students should join this massive transformation. Now more than ever, we need a new generation of doctors with a deep understanding of the complex changes happening in global health, both in the region and in the world at large. Furthermore, the 21st century Asia-Pacific doctor must be at the forefront of action in addressing these transitions, committed to achieve the global health future that we all profoundly want and deserve. The first day of APRM 2012 commenced with a welcome orientation and welcome lunch, followed by the Standing Committee sessions. Dr. Tikki Pang (the former Director of Research and Cooperation at the WHO) delivered a keynote lecture, after which delegates were treated to the gala dinner officiated by the Honorable Lydia Ong, Penang’s State Assemblyman. The delegates had a great time and ended the night with an “Oppa Gangnam Style” dance. The highlights of the second day were the Asia-Pacific Global Health Fair and Exhibition, Global Health Debate and Global Health Film Festival. During the exhibition, representatives from a number of Global Health NGOs spoke with the delegates about their work. And at the Health Fair NMOs had the opportunity to educate others about their respective country’s health care system through posters and other multimedia methods. In the evening the first-ever Global Health Debate in IFMSA’s history took place, following which was a sumptuous buffet dinner at the Revolving Restaurant, and the Global Health Film Festival. The third day started with a parallel forum comprising the following sessions: (1) Transition in Medical Education and Research; (2) Epidemiological Transitions: Non-Communicable Diseases in Asia-Pacific; (3) Global Governance of Health. The forum was followed by a Student Panel on Comparative Global Health which allowed participants to give presentations about their respective country’s health care system. Since the third day fell on September 15th - the International Day of Democracy - the National Food and Drink Party, and Cultural Night were combined in order to celebrate our diversity and recognize democracy as the path to “health for all”. The night was capped off with the Penang Hawker Festival, reflecting the vibrant culinary heritage of Penang - the food heaven of Asia! On the last day, delegates participated in the Penang Heritage Trail Tour and enjoyed the farewell lunch and closing ceremony where delegates took part in singing the theme song “Doctors of Tomorrow” while viewing a slideshow of photos from the previous 3 days – a truly nostalgic moment! Pre-APRM workshops were held from the 10th to the 12th of September at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Two workshops were organised: Social Determinants of Health & Global Health Equity, and Training New Trainers; and a public forum “Global Health - Why Bother?” was opened to Pre-APRM participants and Malaysian medical students alike. The forum discussed why Malaysian medical students should care about global health; what the links are between local health and global health; and what our role as doctorsin-training is.

AFRICA: December 2012 African Regional Meeting in Tanzania

By Waruguru Wanjau (Regional coordinator for Africa 2012-2013)

This December the IFMSA Africa region will hold its 8th African Regional Meeting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is known for its scenic views and is the hub of the East African Community. The ARM is hosted by TAMSA Tanzania, and the organizing committee is headed by Florence Mwitwa who is also the Co-DA for NMO development 2012-2013. From the 14th to the 23rd of December medical students from around the region will interact and inspire each other with the aim of thinking “regional” and going back home to act local. The regional assistants are working hard, together with the standing committee directors, at preparing engaging sessions. The theme event this year will be “Health Crisis in Africa” with the subthemes of health policy, human resources for health and health infrastructure. The subtheme of human resources for health will provide future physicians from the region with an opportunity to discuss “brain drain”, a topic that will affect them directly as they make their future professional decisions. The IFMSA Team of Officials has put together 5 pre-ARM workshops: 2 TNTs, AfriPET, Projects workshop and a Think Global workshop based on the post-MDG agenda. The sessions at the ARM will be tailored to a foundation for NMO activities in the 2012-2013 term, and it is hoped they will provide participants with information and skills they can take back to their NMOs. The regional team also hopes that the new skills and ideas generated will serve as the fuel needed to have a more active African region within IFMSA. For more information please visit the website www.arm2012arusha.com and look out for photos, updates and tweets from the African Regional Meeting 2012 this December !

AMERICAS: January 2013 PAMSA Regional Meeting in El Salvador

By Alheli Calderon Villarreal (Regional Coordinator for the Americas)

Hello IFMSA family! The Americas Region is really looking forward to our next IFMSA meetings in the Region (RM13 El Salvador, MM13 USA, AM13 Chile). We will start 2013 celebrating PAMSA’s 10th anniversary with our Regional Meeting in El Salvador! The RM will be held in Los Cabanos, El Salvador from the 6th to the 11th of January with the theme “Health Systems in America and the Caribbean” and supported by PAHO. The Pre-RM has four wonderful workshops: Exchanges, PaPET, TNT and Global Health Equity; and the unique post-RM will take place in 2 Central American Countries: San Salvador (El Salvador) and Antigua (Guatemala). Let´s continue Rocking!

Project Division

Project Support Division Online Archive The Projects Support Division believes that the path to a bright future is best achieved through motivation that is aided by a realistic plan of action based on past achievements. Based on this belief, the Division has worked on creating the first online archive for Transnational and Initiative Projects. This archive contains all of the Division’s official documents including project proposals, half-year reports, IFMSA letters of recommendation, past applications for Project Fairs and Project Presentations, and publications materials. The current plan is to use the archive as a tool to aid in the handover process and to monitor the progress of Transnational and Initiative projects over the years. It is hoped that this information will be made available to NMOs in the near future to keep them updated with regards to the objectives of each adopted project. For more information please contact: projects@ifmsa.org

Transnational Project Coordinators Selection The Projects Support Division has ensured that a standard application procedure is in place for all Transnational and Initiative Project Coordinators (as per IFMSA bylaws). Transparency is also ensured with regards to methodology and selection criteria. NMO presidents and IFMSA members can view these criteria on the IFMSA server. According to the methodology, if no Transnational Project Coordinator (TNP) applications are received for a particular project, urgent review is carried out to investigate the lack of interest and to highlight any weaknesses that need addressing. For sustainability and standardisation purposes, this protocol will soon be incorporated into the Division’s Internal Operating Guidelines. Currently the Division is working on ensuring a smooth handover process between the outgoing and incoming Transnational Project Coordinators through the newly-created PSD archive and the TNP yahoo server.