s t n e t n o C
2
Know IFMSA
5
Messages
8
Heart Attack
9
Mistakes on a Healthy Diet
10
A Man with a Mission
12
HU-LC+JUST-LC
14
Alzheimer's Disease
16
IFMSA-Jo Alumni
18
UJ-LC+MU-LC
20
Cell Therapy Center
22
A Peek into WCTOH
24
Diabetes
26
National Projects
28
Early Detection of Disease
29
Living with a Chronic Disease
30
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
32
COPD
34
Physical Inactivity
36
More About IFMSA-Jo
IFMSA - International For more than 60 years, IFMSA has existed and been led by medical students worldwide. The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) was founded in 1951. It is the world’s oldest and largest independent organization representing associations of medical students internationally. It currently maintains 123 National Member Organizations from more than 100 countries across six continents with over 1.2 million students represented worldwide. IFMSA is recognized as a non-governmental organization within the United Nations’ system and the World Health Organization and as well, it works with the World Medical Association.
- Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE): promotes the cultural understanding and the cooperation among medical students and other health professionals, through international exchanges.
The Executive Board governs the organization, the liaison officers build external relations, and the standing committees, initiatives, support divisions and regions lead the programming of the organization. The national member organizations (NMOs) are the official decision making body, where members from each national member organization meet bi-annually to vote on IFMSA’s policies and elect the team of officials.
- Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (SCORP): To educate students and professionals in the health care system about refugees, internally displaced people’s and other vulnerable populations’ health.
IFMSA was created to impact the world and to empower its members in taking their vision and ideas, and making them a reality. IFMSA has inspired generations of medical students to develop the leadership abilities and skills to take on challenges and to improve the world around them in a crucial period of their career. Engaging in IFMSA encourages both professional and personal collaborations irrespective of geographical, social, cultural, religious, racial, sexual and political differences. As a result, future doctors are becoming more culturally aware and sensitive physicians.
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Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE): to develop both culturally sensitive students and skilled researchers intent on shaping the world of science in the upcoming future.
Standing Committee on Medical Education (SCOME): to implement an optimal learning environment for all medical students around the world and promote modern medical education.
IFMSA unites medical students worldwide to lead initiatives that impact positively the communities we serve. And, IFMSA represents the opinions and ideas of future health professionals in the field of global health, and works in collaboration with external partners.
“A world in which all medical students unite for global health and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally” is the global vision of IFMSA, and this vision is carried out through six standing committees: - Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including Aids (SCORA): Within SCORA, medical students from all over the world work on issues concerning Reproductive and Sexual health, Whether that be through advocacy work, projects, or through peer education. - Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH): Works towards ensuring a healthy global society that is empowered through its knowledge, skills and opportunities to live a life of complete physical, mental and social well-being. IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 2
www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA - Jordan It was 2006 when the Jordanian National Member Organization joined the IFMSA global entity. Ever since then, IFMSA-Jordan has committed to the service of our community through public health and medical awareness campaigns, serving orphans, the elderly and even tending to the environment. In addition, there is a focus on students in different schools of medicine in Jordan guiding them to a path of community contribution and voluntarism through several projects and campaigns that are based on honesty, transparency and mutual respect. The local committees of IFMSA-Jordan are currently well established at Jordan University of Science and Technology, University of Jordan, Hashemite University and Mutah University, and involve more than 3000 medical students. All of the four aforementioned committees are active in IFMSA-Jordan with a major focus on students, awareness campaigns, international exchange programs, conferences, workshops and assemblies.
the creation of responsible future physicians. All members of IFMSA-Jordan are provided with the opportunity to discover the world of IFMSA and medicine from endless exchange and research programs that guarantee exposure to different cultures and societies, to promoting and facilitating professional and scientific exchanges that enhance medical knowledge and expand clinical concepts. Also, our members have the chance to represent Jordan through attending the global biannual general assemblies of IFMSA which are considered a cocktail of cultures and resemble the dynamics of the modern world. Development and advancement of the health in Jordan, spreading medical awareness across the country, and raising the standards of our medical education are the targets through our scope, and IFMSA-Jordan is known for its passionate, motivated and inspiring members that work on accomplishing all the missions and reach the targets needed to leap with our medical system to a whole new era.
The goal of IFMSA-Jordan is to serve the society and medical students in Jordan by empowering its members in using their knowledge and capacities for the benefit of society, and providing a link between members, medical students’ associations and international organizations to encourage the cooperation between them for the ultimate establishment of a well-educated community. The IFMSA community creates a pool of ideas, opinions and beliefs that are discussed, evaluated and exchanged, thus enhancing the overall skills of its members to better serve the healthcare system of Jordan. IFMSA-Jordan makes sure to achieve these goals without political, religious, social, racial, national or any other forms of discrimination. We aim to promote humanitarian ideals among medical students which will contribute to
www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 3
Meet the Team of Officials Executive Board
Vice President for Internal affairs
Vice President for External affairs
National Officers
Hala Batayneh
Yahya Mazari
Eman Hassan National Officer on human
National Officer on
Rights and Peace
Medical Education
Ghaith Al-Dairi
Saif Ghishan
Osama Al-Odat
National Officer on
National Officer on
National Public
Reproductive Health & AIDS
Research Exchange
health Officer
National Exchange Officer
Support Division Directors
Emran Etier
Sura Mubarak
New Technology Support
Projects Support
Division Director
Division Director
Ramez Halaseh
Mohammed Swaiti
Publications Support
Training Support
Division Director
Division Director
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 4
www.ifmsa-jo.org
Mohammad Hamidi IFMSA-Jo President
Messages..
Message from the President
Fellow IFMSAians, It’s been always a big honor writing you these humble words in our respected biannual magazine, probably my last message as the National Member Organization President for the term 2014/2015.
express how dedicated you were! I can’t thank you enough for your efforts, but I can assure you all that a bright future is waiting ahead.
My journey with IFMSA-Jo started four years ago as a second year medical student looking for a place that offers skill building and personality refinement challenges. I really don’t regret any moment I spent sparing my time towards this organization, why? Because I won’t be standing where I stand now without going through this fabulous experience. And yes, I won’t stop! I will always continue to learn and gain from my work with IFMSA.
I am sure that the upcoming terms of IFMSA-Jo will keep rising and shining even further, because our organization is full of highly experienced, ambitious, talented medical students, healthcare leaders and skillful future physicians.
Through this message, I would like to dedicate a big applause for those who were the perfect building bricks polishing and decorating this fruitful term. Allow me to be more specific mentioning those heroes:
Wish you all the best and luck
And last but not least, the IFMSA-Jo Local and National Supervising Council, keeping open eyes on such nonstop working officials was never an easy task.
Keep translating your dreams into goals; this is the only way to achieve them. «Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan» Tom Landry
IFMSA-Jo volunteers and behind the scene workers, thank you for your extraordinary efforts IFMSA-Jo team leaders, you were the perfect example for setting sky high standards for our projects everywhere. IFMSA-Jo Local Teams of Officials, professionalism, dedication and endless efforts were your theme in leading our lovely local committees. IFMSA-Jo National Team of Officials, it was one of my greatest opportunities working with you all. Words won’t ever
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 5
Messages..
Ramez Halaseh Publications Support Division Director
Message from the Publications Team
This term has been a very long one for all of us in terms of workload, yet it has been the most productive and organized term for IFMSA-Jordan. Goals were reached, missions were accomplished and tasks were fulfilled. This huge success in the history of IFMSA-Jordan couldn’t have been accomplished without the great and endless efforts of our members, who give all they have to ensure the success of all campaigns and projects. For September 2015, I would like to introduce our second edition of IFMSA-Jordan Magazine that focuses on the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases, and how they are able to slowly ruin our national health, hence called “Transition”. You will find several articles and interviews talking about different forms of NonCommunicable Diseases and trying to further raise awareness about the importance of early detection and simple lifestyle changes in the fight against the spreading of these diseases. In this edition we continue to highlight the most influential activities done by our members on the local, national and international level through several descriptions and pictures that showcase the huge success of such remarkable activities. Finally, I would like to say that it is an honor to be part of IFMSA-Jordan that was able to unite medical students across Jordan and ignite our hidden talents making us more productive and responsible doctors to our community. As for the Publications Team or “Harmony Team” as I like to call, a thank you is not enough for all your efforts, dedication and endless enthusiasm. The Harmony Team was able to smoothly organize everything and made sure that IFMSA-Jordan magazine between your hands, to be published and finished in the best way possible.
Abdulqadir Chief Writer
Working with the publications team was a great challenge, but quite rewarding at the end, because we became like a second family! We wrote, worked hard and laughed. I have learned a lot from everyone in the team, and I hope we can work together again in the future.
Ahmad Chief Editor
I’ve worked as part of quite a few teams in the past, but the publications team was something special. Not only was I given a much appreciated chance to do what I love most; write, I was also given an opportunity to meet some amazing people!
In all honesty, I think I took part in one of the best teams I’ll ever take part in, and personally I wouldn’t choose any other team members to represent the Publications Division besides this team. It has been a pleasure so to say, and my honor to represent this team.
The Publications team is extremely important yet somewhat neglected in IFMSA-Jo. This year, however, with Ramez as director, I believe he lead the team to a whole new level of sophistication and proficiency. To the next director: you have huge shoes to fill!
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 6
Zeina Chief Editor
Zakaria Chief Writer
What was it like to be part of IFMSA-Jo Publications Team 2014 - 2015?
www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA International
Messages..
Dear members of IFMSA-Jordan, It has came to our ears that the first message we sent you was highly positively received, and we are pleased to address you for the second time of the year! We thank you for allowing us the space to share a bit of our story and what the Federation means to us with you. As IFMSA Team of Officials for 2014/15, we are here to serve our national member organizations - like IFMSA-Jo - and to provide an optimal environment in which you can grow as health leaders. The 64th March Meeting General Assembly, held in Turkey, March 3rd to March 9th 2015, was memorable in all aspects. Delegates were able to actively participate and engage in the several parallel sessions, and the theme event of disasters and health emergencies, including refugees, was a powerful call for action. March Meeting 2015 also marked the definite shift to IFMSA Reform, with the election of a new executive board with a different structure, composed of seven members: President, Vice-President for External Affairs, Vice-President for Capacity Building, Vice-President for Public Relations and Communications, Vice-President for Finances, Vice-President for Activities, and Vice-President for Members. Updates were also given on the implementation of the 3-year strategy implemented at the beginning of our term. Furthermore, the first ever IFMSA Programs were adopted during this general assembly, www.ifmsa-jo.org
Message from IFMSA International Team of Officials
including one on healthy lifestyles and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This program was developed from the premise that medical students should join the fight against NCDs, and actively work to reduce this global burden mainly by addressing risk factors. NCDs, and more generally unhealthy lifestyles, pose a major strain on every nation’s healthcare system, and take a central part of their health programs, including public health and preventive measures. Often young people, particularly medical students, are left aside in the discussions, and aren’t as involved in shaping and implementing effective programs as they should be. The main objective of this new IFMSA Program is to raise awareness in the general population on the importance of healthy lifestyles - so to decrease the main risk factors, and on early detection and treatment of NCDs. We in IFMSA believe that medical students should understand the drivers and solutions to NCDs, and be educated to successfully convey their knowledge to populations without a medical background. Lastly, IFMSA will continue to invest efforts in advocating for appropriate governmental programs and international frameworks to tackle NCDs, while ensuring that youth is included in the process. A recent example of our advocacy work on NCDs is our active participation in the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs where IFMSA raised the importance of an explicit focus on youth to achieve the objectives of the Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020. Also highlighting that the prevalence of NCDs is related to unhealthy behaviors and practices typically initiated in adolescents, which will have a direct effect on their risk of developing NCDs later in life. Medical students can be powerful actors in global health, both on the international and local levels. The initiatives you are starting at home, the projects you are doing to reach out to local groups, and all of the after school hours spent in voluntary work definitely carry the spirit on which IFMSA was created, “the impossible we do tomorrow, miracles may take a little longer”. We can only wish that you will continue in this path to create a healthy social change in the communities that surround you in Jordan. We hope the Federation will continue to inspire you as much as you inspire us to achieve more. Best of luck in all of your endeavors
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 7
Zakaria Shkoukani UJ-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Articles..
Oh, Another Heart Attack? by Zakaria Shkoukani
At one point in our life, we’ve all heard of someone who had a heart attack, or was admitted to hospital for an open heart surgery in order to have a stent implanted. But have you ever wondered why so many people, especially in our region, suffer from such conditions? Or why exactly such manifestations appear and why surgical procedures are required to mend them? Then question yourself no more! The leading cause of all heart diseases including heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases, is a condition called Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood). It is a slow, progressive disease that may start in childhood. In some people the disease progresses rapidly in their 30s. In others it doesn’t become dangerous until they reach their 50s or 60s. However, it is normal to have some hardening of the arteries as you get older. What damage does Atherosclerosis cause, you ask? Plaque may partially or totally block the blood’s flow through an artery in the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms or kidneys. Some of the diseases that may develop as a result of atherosclerosis include coronary heart disease, angina (chest pain), carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic kidney disease.
fat builds up within and around these cells. They also form connective tissue. The arterial wall becomes markedly thickened by these accumulating cells and surrounding material. The artery narrows and blood flow is reduced, thus decreasing the oxygen supply to the region. The reason so many of our close and distant relatives suffer from Atherosclerosis is because of the sedentary lifestyle that most people choose to live
Two things that can happen where plaque exists are: A piece of the plaque may break off, or a blood clot (thrombus) may form on the plaque’s surface. If either of these occurs and blocks the artery, a heart attack or stroke may result. So how does Atherosclerosis start, and how does it progress? It’s a complex process. Exactly how atherosclerosis begins or what causes it isn’t known, but some theories have been proposed. Many scientists believe plaque begins to form because the inner lining of the artery, called the endothelium, becomes damaged. Three possible causes of damage to the arterial wall are: elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. Smoking greatly aggravates and speeds up the growth of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, the aorta and the arteries of the legs. Because of the damage; fats, cholesterol, platelets, cellular debris and calcium accumulate over time in the arterial wall. These substances may stimulate the cells of the artery wall to produce other substances, resulting in the accumulation of more cells in the innermost layer of the artery wall where the atherosclerotic lesions form. These cells accumulate, and many divide. At the same time, IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 8
in nowadays, in addition to the fact that the Arabic culture is known for its many dishes and desserts that people indulge in on almost a daily basis, which is extremely unhealthy and aids in the accumulation of cholesterol and sugars in the body, which can ultimately lead to many different diseases including the commonly spread Atherosclerosis. The only way we can help put a stop to such a disease is by exercising, and improving our diets to include more healthy alternatives. So start now, before it’s too late! www.ifmsa-jo.org
Faris Kamal HU-LC, General Member
Articles..
A healthy diet makes people feel better, look better and is a major way of preventing non-communicable diseases. But sometimes, people may be tricked in what might have some drawbacks on one’s health and here are 5 of them: 1) People often replace their regular sodas with «Diet Sodas» to assist with weight loss goals and improve health. Shockingly, a recent study in The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that people who drink diet soda are likely to GAIN, not lose, weight. This was confirmed by another study in Purdue University finding that rats fed artificial sweeteners gained more weight than rats fed “sugary food” So you might need to think twice before opening another can of diet soda! 2) Some would over exercise in an attempt to lose weight or stay healthy. «People think that if they exercise they will magically lose weight, and then they get frustrated» says the internationally recognized, award-winning registered dietitian Manuel Villacorta in an interview with Health Magazine. And he adds on “In fact, about 80% of dieting time and energy should be focused on nutrition and 20% on exercise».
5 Common Mistakes You Do on a Healthy Diet by Faris Kamal
order to be metabolically effective for our cells, we need to have fat in our diet. Fat is especially important at every meal when you’re dieting. Fat helps you stay full. It satiates you. If you cut all of the fat out of your diet or have very little fat, your blood sugar won't stay stable for a long period of time and you notice that you’re hungry sooner. 4) Cutting carbohydrates out of your diet is a prime example of mistakes frequently made. Carbs are the primary source of energy for humans, and no less than 40% of our diet should be carbs. 5) Skipping meals to lower the total calorie intake is common, and might have some damaging effects to your body on the long run. A world first study conducted by Menzies Research Institute Tasmania in Australia has shown that skipping breakfast over a long period of time may increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. By comparing individuals who ate breakfast to those who didn’t, the ones who skipped the most important meal of the day had a larger waist circumference, a higher fasting insulin, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), which are all risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. All in all, a healthy diet includes a sufficient amount of nutrients of different food groups, with natural components 3 times a day. Furthermore, a healthy diet is about moderateness. So taking things to the extreme might backfire.
So, a balanced diet is much more important than exercise in maintaining a healthy weight line. 3) Fat free diets are yet another mistake. There was a time when «low-fat» and «fat-free» were dieters’ choice. Food manufacturers catered to the «low-fat» and «fat-free» trends by introducing trimmed-down versions of their products, such as fat-free cookies and low-fat salad dressings, and many people promptly went overboard. But doctors and dietitians stress that fats are good for us. We need them as fat is a component of every cell in the body. In
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 9
Dr. Feras Hawari
Interviews..
As part of our theme for this magazine we decided to interview Dr. Feras Hawari, a physician renowned for his strong ambitions against smoking and his influence over smoking cessation in the country. Dr. Feras is the Chief of Pulmonology and Critical Care, the Director of Cancer Control Office and the Director of Respiratory Therapy Service at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC). He attended medical school at the University of Jordan, and carried on to do multiple fellowships along with his residency in the United States. He has been working at KHCC for 11 years now. So why did you decide to become a pulmonary specialist? Dr. Feras: Actually I decided to choose this field not because of the pulmonary side of it but mainly because of the critical care aspect, I love critical care as it allows you to keep in touch with all aspects of medicine, all systems and specialties. Also, because it goes very well with the fellowship I did in clinical pharmacology, as this combination is very efficient when working in that environment. Clinical care is an exciting field which is constantly changing and developing. What do you consider your mission in KHCC? What does it mean for you to be part of such an inspiring organization? Dr. Feras: Working at a cancer centre with a Middle Eastern family and environment requires certain dedications and personality. There are lots of challenges; it requires that one should be very patient and compassionate, and shows a lot of empathy. Working to heal cancer patients as well as to prevent cancer in Jordan is very important and that’s why as part of the pulmonary and critical care we work on the sickest group of patients; however we have managed to contribute significantly and have published our data concerning our improvements to critical care. Our survival rates as well as our length of stays in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is comparable to international standards, we have state of the art equipment which can provide the best quality care for our patients. On the other hand, we are also IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 10
A Man with a Mission working heavily on the preventative aspect of cancer; how we can avoid its development in order to reduce the mortality/morbidity rates of cancer. What are your visions or expectations about cancer? Dr. Feras: Cancer in Jordan is expected to rise continuously over the next few years, as we continue to move into the western type of lifestyle, as well as the increase in the risk factors in the region, namely the spread of tobacco and obesity. Currently, we have around 5,000 new cases every year, and the burden on health care systems because of cancer is expected to increase significantly. In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that the toll for cancer over the next 15 years for low/ middle income countries will be $3 trillion, which is a significant number. What makes you so interested in being an activist against smoking? Dr. Feras: My interest in smoking actually came as part of what we do in the cancer centre. Tobacco is not only a risk factor for cancer, patients who have cancer and continue to smoke whilst taking treatment are at risk of receiving sub-optimal treatment in terms of radio or chemotherapy. Furthermore, the side effects of radiotherapy will be higher in those who smoke. The chance of survival is also less, and the chances of recurrence and metastasis are higher. So smoking cessation in cancer patients is essentially a critical component of the overall treatment, and is extremely important in patients’ survival. However, we also have to focus on preventing cancer from the beginning; and that’s why we are reaching out to the community and the government to try to implement rules on the use of tobacco among the population
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of Jordan. As head of the Smoking Cessation Clinic, what should patients expect when they visit you? Dr. Feras: Smoking cessation is a challenging field, in fact the time required to see a patient in this clinic is triple the time I need to see a patient with lung cancer. You need to spend a lot of time with your patient. The treatment consists of two components: the psychotherapy component as well as the pharmacology component. It is critical that you do a lot of motivation for your patient, emphasize on the importance and boost his/her confidence, make it clear to them why it is important to quit smoking, so that they don’t fail, and at the same time you need to select the proper pharmacotherapy to help control the symptoms of craving, as well as the withdrawal symptoms. We heard you are currently conducting research on water pipe (Argeelah) smoking, what exactly is the study about? Dr. Feras: What we would like to show the youth is the harm of the water pipe. We have actually managed to publish our first study on the effect of smoking a single session of water pipe for 45 minutes on the lung function as well as their exercise capacity. So these subjects were young, aged 18-26, they had a normal baseline of exercise capacity and lung function, however after allowing them to smoke a single session we measured the numbers and showed that there was airway reactivity with airway constriction specifically small airway obstruction, and they had reduced exercise capacity, so the subject functioned as his own control. And the current project which is actually recently done - we presented the preliminary data to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) meeting in the US and the data shows that those young subjects have significantly higher respiratory symptoms as well as impaired cardiopulmonary exercise testing by exercise time and oxygen consumption. So we are hoping through this dedicated and focused research that we can use it as a tool to fight against the spread of water pipes in Jordan.
www.ifmsa-jo.org
Were there any students involved in the research? Dr. Feras: We always involve students in our research projects. IFMSA-Jo members have been very helpful in our projects whether it’s related to the water pipe study or the tobacco studies, and we always encourage them and are always proud to have them with us. What do you think of the fact that many health care providers are smokers? Dr. Feras: Doctors are the role models, and unfortunately this is affecting the lifespan of our physicians. The Jordanian Medical Association say that the life expectancy for a male physician in Jordan is around 59 years, which is significantly less than the general population which is about 72. Our doctors are dying at a young age, more than 80% of them smoke, and we are talking about male doctors, if we talk about both genders, more than 40% of physicians in Jordan smoke, which is still higher than the rate of the general population which is around 30%. Unfortunately this is impacting patient care because those doctors who are smoking are less interested in counseling their patients to quit smoking, less effective, and less interested in becoming someone who provides smoking cessation for their patients. Do you have any advice for smokers? Dr. Feras: They need to quit as soon as possible, and try quitting on their own, however the success rate is 3-5% of the cases, so it really needs to be handled as a disease, where you seek medical treatment and help. It is never too late to quit smoking, and if you haven’t started smoking, don’t even try it! Do you have any advice for medical students? Dr. Feras: I think that our current medical students are better than the way they were in the past years, they are more involved in community service. We can see now IFMSA-Jo members are involved in immense amounts of voluntary and community work. I would encourage our students to be involved in research early on in their career so they can build on their interests and their skills, and definitely to do what they can to focus on all kinds of specialties because all kinds of specialties are required in our region. So we need to do careful planning on how we manage our students and how we direct them in terms of what specialty to go into. Medicine is a very difficult field, it is continuously evolving. Don’t worry about scoring high marks and finishing the curriculum, medicine is not about scoring high marks but scoring the right impressions and right attitudes with patients, and providing what is needed for them. I seriously encourage our students to build on their clinical skills rather than their theoretical skills, and keep yourselves attached to the patients, learn more clinically in order to be more successful in life. IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 11
Hashemite University Local Committee
Local Activities..
HU-LC Profile - Date of establishment: 2013 - Number of active members: 550 - Number of projects done: 90 - Number of NGAs done by the LC: 2 - Facebook group link: www.facebook.com/groups/hulcjo/ - Official contact email: president.ifmsa.jo.hulc@gmail.com Birth Control: Birth control, also known as contraception and fertility control, are methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy. Planning, provision and use of birth control is called family planning. From here stems SCORA’s role to tackle this important issue. We have addressed the problem through many steps reaching many individuals involved in birth control. We started with lectures for mothers and games for kids in 4 governorates, then ending with a huge campaign in Amman’s busiest areas, Al Saha Al Hashemeyyah.
Hashemite University Local Projects From these solid facts, we focused our consideration to raise awareness about chronic liver diseases in many ways; the first step was an orientation session to the organizers of the campaign, followed by an awareness and blood donation campaign held at Hashemite University and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Blood Bank and ending it with an awareness campaign at Galleria Mall. People with Disabilities: Around 10% of the world’s population, or 650 million people, live with disabilities, so we as medical students are entitled to stand up for these people and promote their rights as human beings. And so, in collaboration with Arab City Care Center we have organized a training session for medical students given by professionals and researchers on how to deal and treat disabled individuals, on various aspects ranging from social, medical, psychological rehabilitation to physical therapy. After that we have organized an entertainment day with disabled kids to bring the smile and happiness to their faces and hearts.
Chronic Liver Disease: Statistics taken from the World Health Organization (WHO) prove that more than 240 million people worldwide are living with chronic liver infections, and around 19% of all alcohol drinkers suffer from liver diseases that eventually lead to liver cirrhosis and even death!
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 12
www.ifmsa-jo.org
Jordan University of Science and Technology Local Committee
Local Activities..
JUST-LC Profile - Date of establishment: 2006 - Number of active members: 487 - Number of projects done: 79 - Number of NGAs done by the LC: 2 - Facebook group link: www.facebook.com/ groups/ifmsa.jo.just/ - Official contact email: president.ifmsa.jo.just@ gmail.com Nano-medicine Revolution Conference: Nano-medicine is a medical revolution and it is believed to hold the hidden future of diagnosis, treatment of different diseases, methods of drug delivery and new surgical approaches. SCOME at JUST-LC decided to hold a conference regarding this important topic to ensure the involvement of our students in the future developments in this field, to provide a platform where researchers can present their work and consultation with experienced scientists and try to integrate nanotechnology into the undergraduate curriculum as an elective course. In this conference we will target physicians, medical students, pharmacists and researchers. The conference will be divided into lectures, workshops and visits to the nanotechnology Centre in JUST.
Jordan University of Science and Technology Local Projects important topics kept a taboo in our conservative community. The project was divided into 3 branches based on age groups: « »وكبرتيis focusing on young females from 4th to 7th grades. « »بلقيسis focusing on 8th and 9th grades. « »أريدك أنثى استثنائيةis focusing on 10th to12th grades. The first step of the project was done covering around 1000 school girls through 7 campaigns and 46 volunteers. Human Doctor 5th Medical Mission: From the 15th to the 18th of June, SCORP at JUST-LC conducted a medical mission under the Human Doctor Project that aimed to give free medical treatment for both refugees and people from less fortunate areas. This is considered as the 5th medical mission of the Human Doctor Project in less than a year. This mission took place in collaboration with Flying Doctors of America and around 1000 patients were treated. Three main sites were covered: Za’atari and Al-Hamra -both located in Mafraq- and Irbid. Twelve doctors flew over from the United States and were assisted by local pharmacists and volunteers from our local committee to achieve this amazing project.
: لتلك اجلديلة Empowering women is empowering society. Since a change in women’s life is sustainable over the generations, for this reason the great project “ ”لتلك اجلديلةwas established to teach young females across schools in Irbid some www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 13
Ghadi Al-Wazani JUST-LC, General Member
Articles..
A Brain's Wrought Barricade Against Alzheimer's by Ghadi Al-Wazani
«We can end Alzheimer’s» a motto Fisher’s Center for Alzheimer’s research foundation brandishes in the face of a war waged against the disease that is feared, and scorned, right after cancer.
have their highest degree of effectiveness, rationally, during early stages. Not only attempts treating the symptoms, but also altering the course of the disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD); an army whose cannon bombs are plaques that are aimed at and around neurons, and neurofibrillary tangles formed within the neural cells themselves, rendering the brain with loss of its structural and functional unit; neurons. The aftermath of which, results in the destruction of memory. Gradually starting with short-term memory so that the recent events are wiped out from the brain, proceeding to problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing to self-care, behavioral issues, withdrawal from the people and the world in general, then three to nine year after diagnosis the patient surrenders to its assault as his/her body loses its function, and death ensues.
But then if a probable patient knew a way to barricade Alzheimer’s attack, terminating it before the other way around transpires; she/he wouldn’t be in need for treatment in the first place. Given that we’re all subjected to this disease as we’re all subjected to old age a sensibly potential question would be: How to armor our brains from this fatal assault? Abundant studied means were declared
This chronic degenerative disease, accounts for 60-70% of dementia with an estimation of 30+ million people living with Alzheimer’s worldwide today, development of the disease every 68 seconds within another person, and expectancy of 60 million people to have the disease by 2030. Not to leave out the datum that the causes of this lethal disease is poorly understood, but nonetheless believed to include 70% genetic factor, high/low blood pressure, abuse of alcohol and nicotine, circulatory disorder, hormonal disorders (thyroid problems and menopause), and brain tumors. Different treatments, on the other hand, were studied and offered, but none of which could stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms. These struggles did not end the search! A traditional healer, Robert Kopf, suggests treatment with homeopathy, Schuessler salts (homeopathic cell salts) and acupressure and explains his suggestion in his book, «Dementia - Alzheimer’s disease treated with Homeopathy, Schuessler salts (homeopathic cell salts) and Acupressure: A homeopathic and biochemical guide». Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s, the research foundation, states that there are different treatments available for Alzheimer’s disease which works differently on people and IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 14
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by the aforementioned Fisher’s Center for Alzheimer’s, including: Preclinical Stage Diagnosis: As it was stated formerly, in the early stages, the effectiveness of the treatments at hand is at its best. Thus, a preclinical stage diagnosis would aid in taking the required precautions. Fortunately, it can be accomplished by spinal taps which may detect biomarkers of the disease even in its preclinical stage, but with no 100% accuracy.
Olive oil: A study by scientists at The University of Louisiana College for Pharmacy revealed that a component in olive oil is capable of speeding up the removal of beta-amyloid (the toxic protein that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims). Moreover, it was stated that the 30 million people living with Alzheimer’s today are of lower prevalence in the Mediterranean countries including Greece, Italy and Spain, which are known for the usage of olive oil; a fact that was proven by a study which was made by the scientist Amal Kaddoumi and her colleagues.
Physical fitness: The importance of exercise is demonstrated in its capability in decreasing harmful cholesterol levels in the body that could cause high blood pressure, thus leading to damaged brain vessels.
Living with a feeling of purpose: Doctors in Sweden made a study that proved that the people who are outgoing and social are less likely to develop the Alzheimer’s disease than those with antisocial/ shy personalities, as well as those who are conscious on one’s purpose and going after it.
A study that was made on 19,000 men and women in Dallas, Texas who were devoted to physical exercising and were checked for their overall health, which was showed to be a perfectly good one. Twenty-five years later these men and women were tested for Alzheimer’s disease, and the result was negative.
Large hippocampus: A large hippocampus means more nerve cells, so that even after the death of some of the functional neurons, others will remain intact. Therefore, even if plaque riddled, the brain would function normally. A study which was made by The American Academy of Neurology, proved the accuracy of this factor. An autopsy was made on 35 bodies, 12 people who died with sharp memory, had AD plaques, while the other 23 people had the same number of plaques were diagnosed with AD before death! The only difference, however, was in the size of their hippocampus.
In addition to physical exercise, others have linked a lower dementia risk to specific activities like dancing.
How to increase the size of your hippocampus? You can’t, but you can stimulate new neural pathways by completing a puzzle, learning a new language, doing a crossword puzzle….etc. Foods that help thwart AD: - Nuts - Fish - Tomatoes - Poultry - Cruciferous vegetables (such as mustard and cabbage) Fruits - Dark and green leafy vegetables These foods are good to not only the brain, but other parts of the body which, consequently, affect the activity of the brain Other factors include years of schooling and drinking coffee (only moderate drinkers: 3-5 cups). Hence, there are copious ways one might outpace AD, all that is needed to do is to find these, and armor our brains up.
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Fuad Habash IFMSA-Jo Alumni IFMSA-Jo President 2013-14
Interviews..
Why did you decide to join IFMSA-Jo? I wanted to be part of a student organization that has an effect on the community. I always wanted to be a volunteer and IFMSA-Jo gave me that chance. How did IFMSA affect your life? IFMSA has been a great impact on my life, I was always joining events and helping others in organizing projects. What did IFMSA change in Fuad Habash? I believe IFMSA has changed a lot in me. I got used to working in a team and has strengthened my team leading capabilities. I had to take decisions on many issues and that is quite essential in the life of a doctor. IFMSA opened my eyes on social and health related problems, especially working with refugees. Why did you choose to run for IFMSA-Jo presidency? I have been in IFMSA for about 4 years before running for presidency. Before that I have been truly active on many of projects, and I was quite oriented on the role of a president in relation to international relationships. The passion and care for the organization has driven me to take the lead. What do you think it takes to make a good president? A good president needs some good mix of leadership, decision making, and to be devoted to achieve the best of the organization. A president should know a bit of every aspect of the organization if not more. What do you think was your main contribution for IFMSA-Jo? I was president during the time when students cared more about Local Committees rather than for the national entity. I have been empowering my colleagues to work together from different universities on big projects rather than doing small local projects. Accordingly, I raised the motto “All for the best of IFMSA-Jo”, to remind ourselves that we are volunteering for the organization and not for our own benefits. I also contributed to our recognition internationally and that helped us get more exchange contracts. What kept you working all these years with IFMSA-Jo? And what challenges did you face? Perhaps the most important thing was satisfaction, the feeling that you get when you aim, plan, do and succeed. Another thing is the number of friendships I have made from IFMSA. IFMSA was technically my second family.
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A Veteran Speaking Up Yes, I have always faced challenges but that didn’t stop me from working for IFMSA. I remember I had to repeat one of the rotations during weekends as I was the registration coordinator for EMR9 in Amman. My supervisor was very angry and didn’t accept the reasons. That didn’t stop me at all, I worked it out and fulfilled my tasks in both! How could you manage IFMSA work and studying? Do you think IFMSA affected your medical education positively or negatively? It’s all about time management. At some points I had to push myself study more on some days to cover for other days. Also, anticipation of what is coming up makes you prepared, and by time you will get used to it. IFMSA gave me opportunities to raise awareness on medical issues, help refugees and get training on different medical aspects. It definitely affected me positively! I can even feel its effect on me right now while doing my residency training. As an IFMSA-Jo Alumni, do you recommend first year medical students to get involved in IFMSA community? Why? And what should they get involved in? Yes definitely, especially first year medical students! Join from the beginning. Meet your colleagues from other levels. Try to learn and experience as much as you can. An advice for current IFMSA-Jo members? Try to be involved in projects as much as you can, it will pay off at one point. Spend time building friendships rather than demolishing others. Do what is the best for the organization and so I can’t but repeat “All for the best of IFMSA-Jo” Where do you see IFMSA-Jo in 10 years? I see IFMSA-Jo being totally approved, supported and respected by universities’ faculty. I believe we will be having more impact on our society. I can also predict the huge number of opportunities that IFMSA would give to our students from exchanges, experience and interpersonal skills. I am really eager to come back in ten years and check on my second family.
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University of Jordan Local Committee
Local Activities..
University of Jordan Local Projects
UJ-LC Profile - Date of establishment: 2007. - Number of active members: 900 - Number of projects done: 75 - Number of NGAs done by the LC: 2 - Facebook group link: www.facebook.com/groups/31724979534/ - Official contact email: President.ifmsa.uj@gmail.com Jordan Matters Medical Trip: In cooperation with a group of medical students coming from the United States of America,UJ-LC organized the Jordan Matters Medical Trip which targeted poor refugee camps in different places around Jordan. The events were held over four days in which there were free medical examinations and distribution of medications in different areas. We were able to reach Jabal Al Nadif, Jarash Gaza Camp, Sweileh, and Al Zarqa Camp. We were also able to distribute food packages to poor families in the different areas we reached.
Step 2: Fundraising event (Wonder Fight), which was held in Siralgon Park. Step 3: General screening in 6-6-2015, in cooperation with Al Hikma Pharmaceuticals and a group of doctors. Thanks to the generous donations and sponsorship, anyone who needed medications, were prescribed immediately after the screening. :في عيونﻬﻢ ﺣياﺓ Stemming from our believe that no one should be homeless, and that many children are forced to live this life, we decided to start a campaign against child begging and labor organized by University of Jordan Local Committee aiming to cover these children and their families in many aspects, mainly health and education. Since launching the campaign in April, 3 steps have been done: Promotional Video, « »في عيونهم حياة بازار خيريand «Faiha Center Visit» where organizing committee members paid a visit to the care center for beggars in Madaba. On the 28th of June, we held « في عيونهم حياةcharity Ramadan iftar», where the Minister of Justice, Former Minister ofSocial Development, deputy of parliament, business men, medical workers and students gathered at one place to make donations for this campaign.
Start With Your Health Campaign: Start With Your Health Campaign is a medical campaign organized by University of Jordan Local Committee, targeting the residents of Gaza Camp Jerash. It has many steps each concerned with a specific health issue: Step 1: Providing Eyeglasses and eye medical examination for all those who need it.
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Mutah University Local Committee
Local Activities..
MU-LC Profile - Date of establishment: 2014 - Number of active members: 62 - Number of projects done: 43 - Number of NGAs done by the LC: 1 - Facebook group link: www.facebook.com/ groups/ifmsajo.mu/ - Official contact email: president.ifmsajo. mu@gmail.com Ethics of Research Day: SCORE at MU-LC has been able to provide many different research opportunities for its students, therefore we decided to hold a workshop through which we teach our students about research ethics and raise awareness about the ethical issues encountered while doing research. On the 15th of December 2014, SCORE held its first Ethics of Research Day with Professor Amal Al-Mashali. Twenty five students were selected to participate in this one-day workshop. Once the workshop was completed, the participants received certificates and now have a better understanding on responsible conduct of research and have a more ethically comprehensive approach to research.
Family Planning and Counseling: The project was held at Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Teams provided counseling sessions to women of reproductive age (15-49) who had recently www.ifmsa-jo.org
Mutah University Local Projects delivered or were admitted for a planned Caesarean delivery. Our project aimed to spread awareness and enlighten women of our society about the various methods of family planning, to correct any misconceptions concerning the use of family planning methods and to help women choose the most suitable methods for her after thorough counseling. A practical training session was conducted to teach the participants one of the best approaches to counseling women according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Then, over a period of three weeks, the participants were involved in direct patient contact at Al-Karak Hospital providing counseling sessions to every woman individually under the supervision of the project leader. Women were given educational brochures, and were encouraged to have their postpartum visits at 1 and 6 weeks after their deliveries.
Stop the Resistance: Stop the Resistance is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about the threat of antibiotic resistance and prudent antibiotic use to public health. Keeping antibiotics effective is everyone’s responsibility, thus we targeted the general population, doctors and other healthcare professionals in Al-Karak. The 1st step was a clinical workshop which was held by the antibiotics department of health for the health care professionals to improve antibiotic prescription. The 2nd step was an awareness campaign in public clinics where we reached over 200 families and collected data from over 80 individuals. Trying to prevent going back to the (pre-antibiotics era) we approached the new generations -school students- hoping that this worldwide problem won’t further develop in the near future.
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Cell Therapy Center
Interviews..
Bringing the Future to Jordan
After having interviewed Dr. Abdullah Abbadi in the previous release of IFMSA-Jo magazine, through which we explored his vast achievements throughout his lifetime as a professor and doctor, this time we decided to revisit him and ask about the newly founded Cell Therapy Centre which he played a crucial role in establishing. Dr Abdullah, without further ado, give us an insight into the newly established Cell Therapy Centre: It’s a comprehensive centre; it contains a day care unit, operating room, out-patient department, and hopefully a 3-dimensional (3D) MRI on the way, in addition to a medical waste disposal unit. The centre has 15 laboratories that are ready and functioning, and 2 that are still in the process. It has a central production area which we call the ‘factory’, which has 4 Biospherix isolators – the elite in terms of sterility. The centre is capable of handling a large number of patients. In addition we have several other imaging labs, separation labs, identification labs, gene sequencing labs, gene arraying labs, etc. We have a large number of scientists currently being employed, hopefully soon we are planning on recruiting more. We are currently working on 10 clinical research projects, and 4 nonclinical research projects. We are also supporting many research students; there are 4 master’s students and 7 PhD students in the centre. The centre is literally a hub for all scientists in the Kingdom as well as the region, and we hope that it will reach its full clinical output and potential by the end of the first half of 2016. We think the centre is ahead several years compared to other institutions in the region, and we are among the first to apply some of the new technologies to humans, and therefore soon you will see many publications coming out of the centre in this region. The centre also has multiple collaborations and agreements with many universities outside Jordan including memorandum of understanding bilateral agreements, and we have several consultant visitors who come to us from Italy, UK, and USA, and we consult with them in many aspects regarding our research as well as future directions. The centre currently is in the last stage of being completed, the scientific equipments and furnishing actually come from the Saudi Fund of Development donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to whom we are very appreciative; they donated approximately 14 million dollars to aid in initiating the project, and hopefully we will receive an additional 7 IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 20
million to aid in finishing the production units as well as the 3D functional MRI. We are very excited about the future, we think we can solve medical problems which have not been solved for many years, and our strength is dominant in the bones, joints, skin, many neurodegenerative and neuro-inflammatory disorders, but on the way we will have accelerated to gene therapy in the retinal diseases as well as in skin diseases. What is the main goal of the centre? The centre is a non-profit organization aiming at developing and generating new therapies for conditions which have not yet been solved by current medical practice. Have you come to achieve much since establishing the centre? We already accomplished a great deal
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in knee osteo-arthrosis, we have already established two products which will hopefully be made available to the public by next year. Similarly we have a product for skin ulcer regeneration specifically in diabetics which will also be available next year. We have many other products related to autoimmune conditions basically in skin, and many other areas which will all be available in the coming year. What effects might the centre have on healthcare in Jordan? It will have an immense influence on the improvement of the care we deliver to patients because we are a production and development centre but the main user will be at the hospital so we will collaborate with other public institutions and hospitals, as well as private ones, in addition to hospitals outside the country. So the therapy we offer will be a great attraction for medical tourism, people in the private sector will use our services heavily and will advertise it abroad to bring more people to use it. But most importantly the Jordanian patients who have been suffering for decades because we had no medical therapy worldwide, will be able to have new alternatives and new hope for treatment. What non-clinical projects do you work on at the moment? There are 4 non-clinical projects at the moment; some of them have been completed. We were investigating the sources of dental stem cells and we are about to publish a couple of papers on that topic. We are working on comparing
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the origins of stem cells, we already initiated work on this one. We are also looking at the content and release rate of some stem cells and their potential applications in clinical practice. We are looking at several markers in many of the stem cells and differentiating those which are more beneficial for clinical use. And now we are about to start a project on the role of phagocytes in cancer immunology. What do you think was the most challenging part of establishing this centre? Everything was challenging really, it took us a long time to convince people who were responsible for the site to give us the land, it was challenging to find a donor who would support such a large project, but we were successful in convincing donors that we are worth supporting. We hope to see the prospects of this new and advanced centre flourish in the coming years to help provide the best medical care for our Jordanian community and perhaps even the world in the near future!
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Ahmad Abbadi JUST-LC, Chief Editor at Publications Team
Articles..
A Peek into the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health by Ahmad Abbadi
“WE, the 74 youth delegates from 40 countries got together at the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, with a vision for ‘No More Tobacco in the 21st Century’. The goal was to identify youth-led strategies to end the use of tobacco and to recommend global action policies to protect current and future generations from the hazards of tobacco use.” In the heart of Abu Dhabi, activists from all over the world gathered, because of their passion to change, their care for health and their concerns for the future, all in hope to crystallize the efforts to fight for and achieve a tobacco free world. The conference is a call for a collective resolution to fight tobacco by working together and integrating tobacco control into agendas for achievement of our common health and development goals. The theme of the conference is Tobacco and NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), stressing on the fact that all forms of tobacco use are the major contributors to non-communicable diseases, namely cardiovascular diseases, chronic pulmonary diseases, diabetes and cancer. The problem doesn’t stop here. Tobacco use is growing in low and middle income countries, and accordingly, NCDs are on the rise. The sad part is that those deaths are preventable, and most of the risk factors are modifiable, on top of them is tobacco use.
was critically prevalent, and I was blessed with the opportunity to attend this conference, and be part of the changing force. 74 young people were selected based on strict criteria from 40 countries, in belief that it’s time for the youth to carry the message and raise the flag of change. The youth are the main target of tobacco companies, and if left alone, they are doomed to remain victims. In order to fight back, we need the teamwork and cooperation of the youth, to be empowered with skills, knowledge and motivation to take the lead and make that difference we seek in the world. Participants were obligated to attend a two day pre-conference workshop, where many great activists and call makers took the lead to help and develop the skills of the youth. This includes Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Dina Mired, Dr. Wael Al
This conference is special because youth participation
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Mahameed - Head of the Cardiology Department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, His Excellency Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi -the Minister of Health in South Africa, and Dr. Vivek Murthy -the Surgeon General of USA. The Pre-conference workshop involved lectures, team building training, media projects, project management and international insight about youth led activities. Through the workshop, HRH Princess Dina launched the Facebook page: “No More Tobacco in the 21st Century”, to serve as a platform for all youth to gather and discuss, work and debate, and make productive changes. All these efforts come from the hope for a 21st century free from Tobacco and a future where our children would never hear of it, apart from books and documentaries! The workshop provided all participants with documents and files to raise awareness and develop necessary skills to carry such a mission. One of the most important documents was the workshop manual that Skander Essafi - SCOPH Director - helped create. It contained publications from Medical Student International, IFMSA worldwide activities, and contacts of all youth participants to promote the collaboration between them in the future. Thanks to his brilliant work, many members from IFMSA were able to attend, not as representatives of IFMSA, but of their countries. At the end of the Pre-conference workshop, a plenary was held and major
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contributions were made. A unique one was made by Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, about the ultimate goal of WHO to make tobacco an illegal product in the future! The following days of the conference were life changing because every participant got the opportunity to meet world leaders on tobacco control, including professors, researchers and key organizations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Lung Foundation, and the World Heart Association among many others. During my stay at the conference, I met and discussed with HRH Princess Dina future plans and goals of IFMSAJo on tobacco control, and our main event for next year, the 12th Eastern Mediterranean Regional Meeting (EMR12). HRH generously accepted the invitation to give us her patronage for the conference. In addition, Dr. Feras Hawari from King Hussein Cancer Center generously agreed to provide Smoking Cessation Management Training to Pre-EMR12 participants in a 3 day workshop. My participation in the conference was enriched by engaging in several other sessions. I managed to attend many sessions on different aspects of tobacco control, and effects of tobacco on different aspects like substance abuse, mental health, HIV/AIDS, poverty, income, agriculture, climate and economical sustainability. But what took me off guard and was much to my surprise is that during the conference, our National Smoking Awareness Campaign named “Put It Out! Before It Puts You Out” received honorable mention as one of the most influential campaigns led by the youth worldwide! The final day was challenging, as the youth were expected to create a powerful finale and carry their voice to the world. We needed something creative and can be carried to the world, yet understood by everyone. Kristina (IFMSA-Serbia) and Cynthia (IFMSAKenya) volunteered to sing “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson, while the rest practiced plays, wrote speeches, and made videos to feature the world development and youth participation. The end result was spectacular and inspired all attendees to “be the change they wish to see in the world”.
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التي تفتقر للجلوكوز ,وهنا يأتي دور املستقبالت املوجودة على سطح اخلاليا ,بحيث يقوم كل مستقبل باستقبال جزئ واحد من االنسولني .وما ان يرتبط باالنسولني حتى حتدث تغيرات على سطح اخللية تؤدي في نهاية املطاف الى فتح قنوات خاصة متر من خاللها جزيئات اجللوكوز الى داخل اخللية ,ليتم بعد ذلك تكسير اجللوكوز وحتويله الى طاقة. ثالثا :انواع مرض السكري: يقسم مرض السكري الى ثالث انواع رئيسية تختلف فيما بينها مبسبب املرض او بطريقة حدوث املرض ,إال انها تُفضي جميعها الى ارتفاع تركيز السكر في الدم. -1النوع االول-: يتميز هذا النوع من املرض بعدة مزايا لعل من اهمها انه غالبا ما يصيب صغار السن (الذين يقل اعمارهم عن 20عاما ً) ولهذا يطلق عليه البعض اسم (سكري االطفال) ,و يشكل هذا النوع ما نسبته %5من اجمالي مرضى السكري وفق احصائيات املركز االمريكي ملرضى السكري .تكمن املشكلة في هذا النوع بانه بعد استشعار البنكرياس بإرتفاع منسوب السكر في الدم, يبدأ مبحاولة تصنيع االنسولني أال انه يفشل في ذلك, فيرتفع مستوى السكر بالدم في حني ينخفض تركيزه داخل اخلاليا فتنخفض كمية الطاقة املتاحة للخلية الواحدة فتصبح غير قادرة على القيام بعملها -2النوع الثاني-: يشكل هذا النوع ما يزيد نسبته عن %90من العدد االجمالي ملرضى السكري وهو عادة ما يصيب من اعمارهم تزيد عن الـ 20عاما ً .تكمن املشكلة في هذا النوع من املرض بوجود «مقاومة» ضد االنسولني بحيث ان ارتباط االنسولني باملستقبل املوجود على سطح اخللية ال يؤدي الى فتح قنوات اجللوكوز وبهذا ال يدخل اجللوكوز الى داخل اخلاليا بل يتكدس بالدم ,وهذه «املقاومة» غالبا ما تكون
ناجتة عن وجود خلل في املستقبل على سطح اخللية. -3سكري احلمل-: تشير الدراسات الى ان %15من النساء احلوامل حول العالم يصابون مبا يعرف بسكري احلمل ,وهو ارتفاع في تركيز السكر في الدم عند املرأة احلامل بعد االسبوع الـ 13وحتى نهاية احلمل وتختفي أعراض السكري من هذا النوع بعد الوالدة .وتشير بعض الدراسات ان %50–20من النساء اللواتي يصنب بسكري احلمل سيصابون بالسكري من النوع الثاني بعد الوالدة مبدة من الزمن. رابعا :مضاعفات مرض السكري: اجملموعة االولى(:مضاعفات النوع االول والثاني من السكري)قصيرة املدى :وتشمل هذه املضاعفات حدوث ارتعاشات واختالجات مصحوبة بغيبوبة لدى مصاب السكري ,وهذه املضاعفات ال ميكن السكوت عنها بل ويجب عالجها باقرب وقت ممكن. طويلة املدى :وتشمل حدوث امراض في القلب واالوعية الدموية ,امراض االعصاب ,اضطراب الكليتني ,ولعل من ابرزها حدوث مشاكل بالعينني وحدوث تقرحات في القدمني واجللد والفم .ونضيف الى ذلك مشاكل العظام و املفاصل. اجملموعة الثانية(:مضاعفات السكري احلملي)على االم :وتشمل تشنجات في مختلف انحاء اجلسم ,مع خطر حدوث سكري احلمل في املرات القادمة من احلمل .وايضا ما قد تؤول اليه االمور بعد احلمل من اصابة بالسكري من النوع الثاني. على الطفل :قد يصاب الطفل بتشوهات وإعتالالت لعل من اهمها زيادة مفرطة في حجم الطفل ,حدوث متالزمة الضائقة التنفسية ,اليرقان, السكري من النوع الثاني في مرحلة متقدمة من العمر ,وقد ينتهي بوفاة اجلنني. خامسا :التعايش مع املرض: لعل من اهم اخلطوات التي يقوم بها الشخص بعد معرفته بأنه مصاب مبرض معني هو التثقيف ,فاملعرفة مباهية املرض وفهم آليته تكوَّن عند الشخص الوعي الالزم حملاربة املرض واالنتصار عليه .وإذا ما حتدثنا عن مرض السكري فإنا جند ان املرحلة الثانية بعد التثقيف هي وضع خطة– قد تكون طويلة االمد–للشفاء من املرض و يكون ذلك غالبا مبساعدة الطبيب ,يلي ذلك حتفيز وقوة تنبع من داخل الشخص نفسه تدفعه نحو االلتزام باخلطة التي وضعها حتى لو اشتملت على منط غذائي قاسي او محروم .يلي ذلك مرحلة مراقبة النتائج وإجراء التعديالت الالزمة الى ان يحني موعد اخبارك بأنك شفيت بإذن اهلل تعالى. سادسا :الوقاية: كما هو معلوم أن الوقاية خير من قنطار عالج ,فاالولى بنا ان نقي انفسنا وان نعتني بها فهي اغلى ما منلك .وملا كان مرض السكري يصيب ما يزيد عن %34من االردنيني الذين تزيد اعمارهم عن الـ 25وفقا لدراسة حديثة أجريت عام ,2014كان لزاما علينا جميعا ان نقي انفسنا من هذا املرض بشتى الطرق املمكنة ,من حرص بالغ على انقاص الوزن الزائد ,الى زيادة النشاط البدني ألكبر قدر ممكن .إال ان اخلط االول للوقاية يبقى نظام تغذية سليم و متوازن ,وبهذا فإن منط احلياة الصحي على درجة عالية من االهمية لنحفظ انفسنا من طاعون العصر (السكري).
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Articles..
عامر أبو شنب اجلامعة األردنية -عضو عام السكري هو مرض من األمراض التي ذاع صيتها كثيرا ً في العقد األخير. ليس فقط في منطقتنا ال بل في العالم أجمع .فوفقا ً إلحصاءات أجرتها منظمة الـصحة العاملية فإن ما نسبته %9من سكان االرض الذين تزيد أعمارهم عن الـ 18مصابني بهذا املرض ,في حني تتوقع املنظمة أن أعداد املصابني سيرتفع إلى 36,600,000عام 2030وهذا العدد ال ميكن تصوره. إجتمع العلماء على التعريف العام ملرض السكري ,أال وهو إرتفاع عام مبستوى (تركيز) سكر اجللوكوز بالدم .ما هو السكري؟ وكيف يصاب
طاعون العصر (السكري) إعداد عامر أبو شنب طاقة اخلاليا فيما بعد. استخدام السكر: كما اسلفنا فان معظم ما يتناوله االنسان يتم حتويله الى جلوكوز؛ وهذا اذا دل على شئ فانه يدل على مدى اهمية اجللوكوز خلاليا اجلسم. يتكون اجلهاز االمني لدولة اجللوكوز –ان صح تسميتها– من ثالث عناصر رئيسية: -1اجللوكوز -2اإلنسولني -3مستقبالت اجللوكوز على سطح اخلاليا بحيث تتصل هذه العناصر بطريقة متناسقة ومتكاملة للحفاظ على مستوى اجللوكوز داخل الدم واخلاليا ضمن النظام الطبيعي لالنسان السليم ومن هنا حدد العلماء التركيز الطبيعي للسكر بالدم في حالة الصيام ملدة 8ساعات بـ 99–70ملغرام/ديسلتر ,في حني مت حتديده بأن يكون أقل من 140ملغرام/ديسلتر بعد تناول وجبة بساعتني. عند وصول اجللوكوز الى الدم ,يستشعر البنكرياس بوجود ارتفاع في كمية اجللوكوز بالدم فيقوم بدورة بإنتاج وإفراز «اإلنسولني» ,والذي يقوم بقيادتها نحو االنسجة
الشخص السليم مبرض السكري؟ ما انواعه؟ مضاعفاته؟ طرق الوقاية منه؟ وكيف يتعايش مريض السكري مع حالته؟ السكر في الدم: تقسم املواد التي يتناولها اإلنسان في وجباته الثالث اليومية الى: كربوهيدرات ,بروتينات ,دهنيات وماء وفيتامينات ومعادن ,بحيث يتم تكسير املواد الثالث األولى (كربوهيدرات ,بروتينات ,دهنيات) في اجلزء االوسط من اجلهاز الهضمي (املعدة و االثني عشر). ينتج عن التكسير النهائي للكربوهيدرات سكر اجللوكوز االحادي والذي يُنقل بدوره الى الدم ليتم ادخاله بعد ذلك الى خاليا اجلسم اخملتلفة ليتم استخدامه في انتاج الطاقة الالزمة لعمل كل خلية ,اما البروتينات فيتم تكسير جزء منها الى سكر اجللوكوز ,ومن اجلدير بالذكر ان اجللوكوز الناجم يتم حتويله الى الكبد ليقوم الكبد بتخزينه بداخله على شكل غاليكوجني ليتم استخدامه وقت احلاجة ,واذا ما نظرنا الى الدهون ,فانه يتم تكسير وحتويل كمية من الدهون املتناولة الى جلوكوز ليتم استخدامه في انتاج IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 25
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National Activities..
The main purpose of the program is “to promote cultural understanding and co-operation amongst medical students and all health professionals, through the facilitation of international student exchanges. SCOPE aims to give all students the opportunity to learn about global health, and attains this partly by having its exchanges accredited by medical faculties across the world”.
Medical Education
Committee on
Standing
IFMSA-Jo National Projects
IFMSA-Jo National Projects
SCOME was one of IFMSAs first standing committees from the beginning of its foundation in 1951. It acts as a discussion forum for students interested in the different aspects of medical education in the hope of pursuing and achieving its aim. Today, SCOME works mainly on medical education capacity building. SCOME provides several platforms and methods to educate medical students worldwide on various medical education issues.
To prepare traveling students before starting their exchange is one of the most important goals in the SCOPE exchange program, because it is our aim to provide outgoing students with the best available exchange experience. To achieve this goal, SCOPE introduces students not only to the exchange program, but also to the Global Health vision of IFMSA and it supports students by dealing with personal and professional challenges which they may encounter during their exchange. Furthermore, it aims to improve the students’ skills needed during a clerkship in a foreign country. PDT included several trainings like intercultural communication training and teambuilding training.
Exchange
Professional
Committee on
Standing
TEDx IFMSA-Jo: To be a human being means that you have the right of thinking and being creative which you need to exercise to the fullest. From that perspective we felt the need to give the great young minds we have a chance to shine! For this reason, we contacted the famous TED organization and we are planning on making a TEDx event so we can spread life changing ideas and awaken the creativity within our members. Once we get our license we will be hunting down some of the fresh great minds with the brightest of ideas. And who knows? If this works out, we might make this an annual tradition! Just remember your ideas make up who you are and what you give the world.
Pre-Departure Training: The first Pre-Departure Training (PDT) in the history of IFMSA-Jo was held on the 17th of June.
The first standing committee within IFMSA was the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE) in 1951. The SCOPE exchange program is a quality educational and cultural experience organized entirely by medical students with the help of their medical faculties.
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For the past two years, SCOPHeroes (i.e. members of the committee) are implementing, maintaining and improving a wide variety of community based projects on the local and national level. Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH): The problem of DDH is often very underestimated, quite unmatched by the extent of its prevalence. Actually, in some countries there is a rising threat of an epidemic! Unfortunately the majority of our societies are unaware of this major problem. The reason of such a low social awareness of this issue is the lack of widespread information and knowledge, even in the medical fields. The current ongoing national DDH project aims to unite medical students in a widespread awareness of this hip dislocation. Some of the main goals are educating medical students about the prevalence, treatment options and prognosis in a variety of cases; especially that prognosis is determined by the age at which treatment is begun.
Peace
Human Rights and
Standing
Committee on
Public Health
Standing
Committee on
The Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) brings together medical students from all over Jordan to learn, build skills, cooperate, explore and share ideas when it comes to addressing all issues related to public health: global health issues, health policies, health promotion and education, and evidence based medicine among others.
is the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace and one of the six Standing Committees of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). It was founded in 1983, as the global plight of refugees came into the limelight. It was forged in 1994 because of the urgent need to have sustainable solutions for the prevention of conflicts and human rights abuses. SCORP understands peace as, person to person, group to group, state to state, having international solidarity, tolerance and respect for human rights. SCORP Camp: Reflecting back at the camp today, It feels like it has taken place ages ago! From the moment the Organizing Committee began plotting and planning, then replanning, and maybe re-planning a few times more, the whole event felt like a far-fetched dream. However, as time flies, the big day approached and it all became reality. From receiving as many as 75 international students from 16 different countries into our beloved hometown, to hosting trainings, sightseeing, and mansaf-servings, it was all rated as a 5-star event by attendees, their friends, and our IFMSA groups. The event hosted 4 trainings: 2 Training New Trainers trainings, 1 Training New Human Rights Trainers training, & 1 International Peer Education Training, which all took place at Al-Fanar Hotel, Amman, Jordan. The event was unique in its multiculturalism which reflected beautifully upon the input in trainings and our cultural events; such as the NFDP (National Food & Drink Party). Leaving behind the most wonderful of memories, 50 of our participants took part in our post-program which included Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea. IFMSA-Jo is very proud to have been the 2nd international host for this camp after its initiation in Bratislava, Slovakia and we wish IFMSA-Sweden the best of luck for this year’s event!
Through the Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip project, we want to expand our activities to reach more communities, and develop collaboration between international medical students.
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 27
Zeina Abu Orabi JUST-LC, Chief Editor at Publications Team
Articles..
When Was Your Last Doctor’s Appointment? by Zeina Abu Orabi
We often hear doctors and healthcare professionals stressing on the importance of early detection of various diseases, especially when it comes to cancer. The vitality of early detection is mainly concerned with better prognosis, but what is early detection and how are we supposed to know when it’s time to go see a doctor?
term uncontrolled increase in blood sugar levels can possibly lead to dysfunction of the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. As for chronic hypertension, you are primarily at risk for heart and blood vessel conditions, and kidney diseases on the long-term.
Early detection of disease is divided into two major aspects: prevention and screening.
So, after reading the above, how can we protect ourselves? - Be sure to screen against certain diseases you may have in your family. Some types of cancer are familial, i.e. inherited. If you have a relative with a certain type of cancer, you may want to ask your doctor whether or not you should be screened for it. For example, women at risk of breast cancer are scheduled for frequent mammograms. - Get a general checkup done once a year. If you’re leading a healthy lifestyle, yearly blood and urine tests should still be mandatory. - Lead a healthy lifestyle! Sunday shouldn’t be the day you start cutting on junk; it should be right now. Exercising on a regular basis does wonders for your immune system. And most importantly, drink loads of H2O! - Don’t ignore warning signs. If you get the flu too often, or feel extremely fatigued even though you haven’t really been doing much could be your body telling you something! So never ignore warning signs, and book that doctor’s appointment now!
Prevention involves leading a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, for example, is a risk factor for several cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs, and infections of the respiratory system. Maintaining a fit body is also important because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a link between obesity and many types of cancer such as esophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. However, the equation doesn’t end here. Many factors still contribute to our well-being including pollution, exposure to radiation and many other carcinogens. Screening, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to the use of simple tests across a healthy population in order to identify individuals who have disease, but do not yet have symptoms. Of course, screening is not only done for cancer, people are also screened for several chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The main advantage behind early detection is controlling the disease before other unwanted manifestations occur. In the case of diabetes, a long-
A lot of diseases are described as sporadic, which basically means that we still don’t know what’s causing them. However, the earlier we detect them, the better. One cannot stress enough on how statistics have proven over and over again that people with healthy lifestyles not only have a lesser incidence of disease, but also better outcomes after treatment. Eat well, exercise often and stop smoking! IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 28
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Leen Younis UJ-LC, General Member
Articles..
Adapting to a new lifestyle after finding out that you have a chronic disease becomes your new normal. These diseases are long lasting and often without a cure, which means that better habits and a healthier lifestyle are needed to maintain good health. The most crucial aspects to fully adapt with the new lifestyle include the following: 1. Education: First and foremost, it is important that you learn about your disease: what caused it? How to avoid progression of the disease? What to expect? What complications you might encounter? 2. Self-Management: Know your medications and their right doses. Self-management is the key when it comes to these diseases; it’s about the part that you play in taking control of your disease, in addition to the regular checkups with the physician. Integrating a better diet as well as an exercise routine can significantly manage the symptoms, and make you feel generally better. Workouts differ from person to person depending on the type of condition and the physical status.
Living with a Chronic Disease by Leen Younis
happen by limiting your thinking to the downsides of the disease and wrongly managing it, so make sure you maintain your positive thoughts and know that you can still live a beautiful life doing what makes you happy. 4. Involve others: Educate family and close friends about your condition and their role in it. You can rely on them on being supportive and understandable and they should even be willing to make adjustments in their lives that suit you. Finally, as people are getting more educated on different diseases they are prone to, there’s an increased interest in improving the quality of life worldwide. No matter how hard it is right now, know that millions of people have used their struggles as a base for spiritual, emotional and relational growth. Just remember to stay healthy and positive, live your life as there are many things you can still do, and don’t forget or underestimate your medications.
3. Emotional Intelligence: The emotional and mental part of the disease is probably the toughest to deal with as you’re instantly filled with mixed emotions, these can make it harder to manage the lifestyle changes that you want. Do not let the disease define you and it is OK to be sad, but never blame yourself or anyone for it. New research show that chronic disease and mental health are strongly interrelated and about one third of people with a serious chronic condition develop depression. This can www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 29
Zakaria Shkoukani UJ-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Articles..
The Ice Bucket Challenge Hype by Zakaria Shkoukani
In 2014 – around August and September - many of us began to notice the majority of our friends, families, and siblings indulging in what is commonly known as the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’. As the name suggests, this ‘challenge’ was literally just the act of audaciously pouring a bucket of freezing cold water with ice onto oneself, filming the act, posting it on social media, and then nominating a couple of friends to do the same. The funny part is, most of the people who did the challenge didn’t actually know the idea behind it, and merely did it ‘because everyone else did’. Since many of you may have wondered why your brother, sister, son or daughter, friend or whoever it may be decided to film themselves being drenched in ice cold water, I thought it would be interesting to give you an insight into this challenge and a little about the science behind this viral internet sensation.
neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Its name may sound a bit complicated, however it’s actually quite simple; A-myotrophic comes from the Greek language: «A» meaning no, «myo» referring to muscle, and «trophic» meaning nourishment – add it all up and you get «no muscle nourishment.» When a muscle has no nourishment, it wastes away. The second word in the name; «Lateral», identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates, it leads to scarring or hardening – «sclerosis», in the region. In other words, it’s a disease in which certain nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord
Before diving into the science of the matter, some of you may be wondering how exactly this ice-bucket challenge started. The ice-bucket videos actually started off early in the summer of 2014, by a Massachusetts resident who had a severe neurodegenerative disease known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) since 2012. He had filmed himself pouring an ice bucket over his head, and shared it with some of his friends in the neighbourhood to do the same, as a means of raising awareness about the disease around the area. However, to his surprise, the ice-bucket videos soon went viral as millions of people all around the world, including famous celebrities and figures like President Obama and Bill Gates started doing the same. Soon enough the process was termed the ‘ice-bucket challenge’ and hundreds of thousands of people started donating money to ALS research institutes. In a matter of 2 weeks after the beginning of this challenge, ALS research institutes had received ten times the amount of donations they had received the year before! So what is this ALS disease? And why all the fuss? ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 30
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slowly die away, and these nerve cells control our muscle movements. So as you probably would have guessed by now, people with this disease slowly lose the ability to use their muscles, and in very late stages complete paralysis and respiratory muscle failure culminate in death. Other names for ALS include motor neurone disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease after the name of the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.
at the age of 21, predicting he wouldn't live long enough to see his 25th birthday. But now, almost a half-century later, Hawking is the director of research at the University of Cambridge Centre for Theoretical Cosmology, after spending 30 years as a professor at the school. Whether Hawking's longevity is a result of exceptional care, his own biology or the variability of the disease, one thing is certain — he never let ALS slow him down. In fact, even he himself participated in the Ice-Bucket Challenge!
ALS does not affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear or recognize touch. In fact, most of the time, patients at even the latest stages can control their eye muscles, bladder and bowel functions. Life expectancy is two to five years from the time of diagnosis, but with advances in multidisciplinary care, some patients live longer nowadays. The disease has affected many famous figures in the past; including Lou Gehrig as mentioned earlier, and the famous mathematician and physicist Stephen Hawking who had many contributions in recent quantum mechanics theories. While most are diagnosed with the disease after the age of 50, doctors diagnosed Hawking
So why throw ice cold water over our heads and risk pneumonia? The sensation of ice water over the body is said to be similar to the numbing effect experienced by those with ALS, so the process aims to influence people and encourage sympathy towards those who have the disease, and hence many people sent donations to the ALS research associations to aid in finding a cure for this unpleasant illness. But what do these associations plan on doing with all these donations? The ALS Association (ALSA) said these funds won’t just be saved for ‘a rainy day’; they have pledged it will be spent on research to find the cause of ALS and develop effective treatments. The actual cause of ALS has not been identified yet, and only 10% of the cases are genetic, while the other 90% occur for unknown reasons. So far, a single drug has been approved for use with ALS, however it has proven to be ineffective as it only prolongs the life of the patient by 2-3 months. But ever since the ice-bucket challenge and its $100+ million donation contribution, the ALS research associations have been working hard to reveal the causes and treatments of this daunting sickness. This comes to show that even the simple act of drenching yourself with a bucket of ice cold water and posting a video of it on the web, can raise lots of awareness and aid in finding cures for a disease that was barely recognized before!
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 31
Call the Cops and Arrest COPD! by Abdulqadir Shanti, Ahmad Abbadi & Zakaria Shkoukani
Zakaria Shkoukani UJ-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Ahmad Abbadi JUST-LC, Chief Editor at Publications team
Abdulqadir Shanti HU-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Articles..
This is the third time Malek is admitted to the hospital this month. His Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is getting worse by the day, and he is not compliant with his prescribed medication. He is barely able to breathe, and the worst part is that he is losing weight. He will have to be admitted for a week now until his fever and lung infection subside. If he doesn’t stop smoking and begin taking his medications properly, I don’t think he will be able to live for long. It’s becoming a routine for him to come to the hospital and stay for days. I don’t know if he just doesn’t care about his life, or if he’s too addicted to quit. I referred him to the smoking cessation clinic, but apparently he failed to quit. If things remain as are, we will have to break the bad news to his family. It’s only a matter of time till he develops heart problems, and pulmonary hypertension. By that time, we won’t be able to do anything for him, except wait for him to pass IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 32
away, with palliative care as our only resort. COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes decreased airflow in the lungs, due to emphysema (destruction to the air sacs or alveoli), and narrowing and inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi). It develops by chronic exposure to irritating gases like cigarette smoke, noxious stimuli or air pollution. What characterizes this disease is that it’s progressive, and early diagnosis, medical management and lifestyle modifications like quitting smoking are essential for a good outcome over the years. COPD is generally used to describe a group of lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis. Quite often, people with COPD have a combination of these conditions at the same time. It’s also possible to have an asthma component with the disease, which is an important factor when considering treatment. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), what happens physiologically to your lungs when you have COPD is not completely understood. Playing a major role is that of chronic inflammation in the cells that line the bronchial tree in the lungs. Smoking and other airway irritants perpetuate an ongoing inflammatory response that leads to hyperactivity of the airways, whereby the smooth muscle of the airways constrict and narrow excessively. This causes the airways to become swollen, excess mucus to be produced and the cilia responsible for removing this excess mucus to function poorly. As
the
disease
progresses,
many
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patients find it increasingly difficult to clear their secretions, developing a chronic, productive cough, wheezing and dyspnea (difficulty breathing), the hallmark symptoms of COPD. Once the lungs start producing too much mucus, it begins to pool in the airways, providing a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. This leads to even more inflammation, the formation of pouch-like sacs called diverticula in the bronchial tree, and frequent bacterial lung infections. So what are the risk factors for such a daunting condition? If you thought ‘smoking’, then you are most certainly correct! The most significant risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. In fact, the American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that 80-90% of people diagnosed with COPD are either chronic or former smokers, however this does not mean that non-smokers do not develop the disease. You may then ask yourself; how would nonsmokers develop this disease? Once again smoking prevails! But this time, secondhand smoking is the cause. Other causes may include indoor or outdoor air pollution due to nearby factories and work-related exposure to coal mine dust, silica, asbestos, cotton, and even grain dust. So how can we know if someone is showing signs of COPD? And when should we take them to a doctor?
different kinds of treatment doctors’ offer can certainly help slow the progression of the condition and reduce the symptoms mentioned above, long term oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation are such types of treatment as well as the usage of bronchodilator inhalers, steroid inhalers or mucolytic tablets or capsules. Often, COPD patients may have to take a combination of medicines, in addition many patients tend to keep different medicines close by in case of a flare-up, especially when symptoms are bad. However, several actions can be done in order to improve care, health outcomes and future costs, as well as the potential to improve work productivity. Programs as such can include the better improvement of diagnosis (i.e. receiving proper care and early diagnosis will reduce future costs which is extremely essential in reducing the progression of COPD in heavy smokers) pertinent to this is education (i.e. increase in awareness campaigns can lower several speculations surrounding COPD symptoms, e.g. chronic cough along with excess sputum production is not a normal part of growing up rather one of the hallmark symptoms of COPD) as well as, smoke-free work sites with careful adherence to certain policies (e.g. the usage of masks in industrial areas) along with patient programs, which include counseling and rehabilitation in which the patient receives guidelines on the important of compliance to medication and the ways to use proper medication/inhalers. These effective measurements can help control the management of COPD, thus improve prevention and quality of care, leading to a bright foreseeable future where COPD becomes no issue.
The hallmark symptoms of COPD include breathlessness with any type of activity, chronic cough, increases in sputum production, wheezing, fatigue, chest tightness, and frequent lung infections. Additional signs and symptoms that may accompany the more severe stages of the disease include weight loss, anorexia, and fatigue. Ankle swelling may occur as a result of medication side effects or co-existing heart problems. Anxiety and depression are common emotional symptoms for COPD for which additional treatment may be necessary to improve quality of life and lower the risk of COPD getting worse! So if you notice a family member, relative, friend, or whoever it may be showing the aforementioned signs, be sure to accompany them to a doctor to confirm diagnosis and aid in treatment. Although there is no cure for COPD, the www.ifmsa-jo.org
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 33
Abdulqadir Shanti HU-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Articles..
A Different Life by Abdulqadir Shanti
“Physical inactivity is said to be the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality; that is 6% death globally, being named the biggest public crisis of the 21st century.” Let’s take a moment to comprehend this, it means an estimate of 3.2 million deaths globally, a number to reflect back on and an understatement people are oblivious to. Physical inactivity is partly due to insufficient participation in any sort of physical activity during leisure time as well as an increase in sedentary behavior throughout life, a phenomenon mostly seen in the 21st century. Pertinent to this, humans themselves play a role in this through a perplexed behavior that is influenced by health, mobility issues, genetic factors, and the social and physical environments in which people live in. These factors undoubtedly exert a potential role to engage in sedentary behaviors and physical inactivity, both of which fall under the influence of different biological mechanisms.
lifestyle, one of which is that there’s an increase in time waste spends in the colon in sedentary people allowing the colon to be exposed to possible carcinogens for a longer period of time. Physical activity can help things move through the colon faster. Breast cancer can also occur more often in women who are physically inactive. According to the National Cancer Institute, hormone levels may be lowered with regular exercise decreasing the chance of breast tumors developing. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, occurs when insufficient levels of insulin are produced or when resistance to insulin develops (the hormone that allows your body to use sugar from the carbohydrates in the food you eat for energy). Being obese, physically inactive, and smoking are the major contributors for developing type 2 diabetes. Complications of diabetes include kidney and vascular diseases, as
Lack of physical activity contributes to most to the world’s major non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers, as well as its the leading cause of many adverse health conditions. The risk of developing heart disease is often accompanied with physical inactivity; the chances of developing high cholesterol levels are increased in persons with physical inactivity as coronary blood flow is mostly impaired. Exercise helps lower LDL cholesterol levels (the bad cholesterol), and helps to increase HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol) that helps to protect against heart conditions. The colon is the part of the large intestine that absorbs water and stores the remaining waste material as feces before removal by defecation. The contribution to the risk of colon cancer can occur in many ways in an inactive
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 34
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well as eye and nerve damage. In a new study, depression and anxiety as well as negative emotional effects are likely to develop more with physical inactivity. Being active helps to fight against both depression and anxiety by production of brain ÂŤfeel-goodÂť endorphins that help reduce stress and improve mood. Furthermore, consequences of lowered physical activity can also impact lifestyles. An increased chance of hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop, which is widely known as one of the main risk factors of developing a stroke or kidney disease, physical activity such as exercise can help the heart to become strong and pump more blood throughout the body. When the heart does not have to work as hard, blood pressure becomes lower. Change and prevention of health effects due to physical inactivity can be reversed and altered, however this can occur in two different spectrums, the individual and the societal spectrum.
the use of stairs instead of escalators as a start, the need of a school-based physical education to enhance students on the beneficial effects of being active, and creation or increase of access to facilities or places for initiating physical activities, as well as leading competitions such as track and field competitions to better improve lifestyles for good. On the other hand, the individual spectrum tends to be involved with lifestyle changes on a personal level, like adding regular exercise on a few days of the week is ideal and sufficient to prevent health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a week as well as the need for strengthening individual knowledge and needed skills to lead a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. Moreover, adequate levels of physical activity can help in weight loss and reduce the risks for vertebral and hip fractures as a parson grows older. Unlike other contributors for diseases, such as gender and age, physical inactivity is modifiable and is therefore liable to change, a change which leads to a different life full of prosperity and achievements.
The societal spectrum needs to be approached in depth especially in Jordan in order to avoid major public health problems. An approach involving community-based campaigns and endeavor to lead an active physical lifestyle, such as decisions to encourage
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 35
Salameh Al - Habashneh Vice President for External affairs
IFMSA-Jo..
The VPE Sharing His Experience
Salameh is IFMSA-Jo’s Vice President for External affairs (VPE), and a medical student at University of Jordan. What about your past? I studied in a public school throughout my primary education in Al-Karak, then moved to Amman and continued my education till 10th grade in public schools there. After that, my family supported me to go to the Universal School to finish the last two years there. When and how did your journey with IFMSA-Jo start? It started in 2013 and my first experience was “لستم 4 ”( وحدكمYou Are Not Alone step 4). I heard about it from a friend of mine, who told me to try volunteering with IFMSA. At that time, I didn’t know what IFMSA was or what they did. Nevertheless, I went along to try it out. This campaign made me fall in love with IFMSA. It was a joint project between University of Jordan and Hashemite University. The aim of that project was to host an Iftar for Syrian refugees in Mafraq, during the holy month of Ramadan and distribute food packages. It may seem simple in principle, but the spirituality, the feelings and the hard work of all the participants made me see something very different in voluntary work. Then I started, going through local projects as a volunteer, organizer, then a leader. I moved from there to the national level, and continued my voluntary work on both levels. Why VPE? When I started working with IFMSA, I saw great potential and new doors opening in front of me. My participation was chiefly in field work, rather than paper work, and that gave me great knowledge and skills of project management, how to deal with people, how to fundraise an event, how to discuss your projects with sponsors, and how to advocate. All of that introduced me to many companies and call makers, and I thought to myself, why not to benefit IFMSA-Jo with what I have achieved so far? Accordingly, I picked VPE, because of my passion in field work, and my aim to improve in paper work too.
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 36
How did this term go? Did you accomplish any important goals? At the beginning I struggled for a while. I’d never been part of a local Executive Board (EB) or an officer, so I made quite a jump. My first struggle was the amount of paper work I had to do, as I never imagined it would be that extensive! My second struggle was that I didn’t have a proper insight into the technicalities related to the position, because I didn’t get a one-onone handover, and the general outlines of the position weren’t drawn yet. After that, I faced the issue of coordinating between the local and national activities, as both needed fundraising and contacting companies for sponsorship. To overcome this obstacle, I made a database and based on it I have built bridges with every local committee and the national team. Fruitfully it came, because no conflict between campaigns happened during this term, and hopefully till the end of it, no conflicts would happen, and I consider this the greatest achievement so far. The position was very vague at the beginning, and that lead to many wasted efforts and trials, but now I have drawn better outlines about how the work should proceed and be done, and hopefully the future VPEs would add up to this and structure it in a better way. Through this term, we have made several great collaborations, like King Hussein Cancer Center/Foundation and Tobacco Free Jordan, All Jordan Youth Commission as I was a volunteer there, Ministry of Health, and Jordan Medical Association. The partnerships we have established are either in a written contract or verbal. Although we aim to switch
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all verbal contracts into written ones; in reality, it is harder than it seems. My work wasn’t achieved solely by myself, as I got assistance from many members in IFMSA-Jo, and I don’t want to mention names because they are too many! But even now, the publications team are a prime example of that, as you are trying to show to the whole world what IFMSA-Jo is, and what it has achieved so far, and I’m looking forward to the September edition, because I was stunned by the March edition, as it was really well prepared and designed.
increase the next term. The website was a challenge to us, because we don’t have a clear statement of who should be in charge of it, but I hope the next VPE would take a role in this, through cooperating with the next secretary general and new technology support division director to make a new database for all members on the website. Finally I hope that the next VPE will continue and fulfill the plan that I made with the current national treasurer, as some parts have not been accomplished yet, but I hope the next VPE will be able to achieve them and improve the plan to include new strategies and approaches.
IFMSA-Jo page has reached 7,000 likes! This was part of the team’s plan of action, and I’m very happy that we were able to reach this very critical milestone. Now we are proceeding to become an officially recognized Non Governmental Organization (NGO), and this requires lots of work and preparations, and major part was put on my shoulders as a VPE, but hopefully during the next few months this long-sought goal will be achieved. Another thing to add is that the very first corporate identity and IFMSA booklet are almost ready, and hopefully before the NGA it will be available, with some parts in Arabic. Where do you see the VPE next year? To be honest, I believe the next VPE will have to carry much on their shoulders, because the next VPE has to continue the NGO work that we started, improve the corporate identity and booklet to match the change into NGO, increase the likes on the page, work to increase our partnerships and collaborations, and try to best represent IFMSA-Jo in the next term. I will try my best to support and assist him/her during and after the handover, and I will inform them about the verbal collaborations we made, because this was a grave mistake, as we didn’t include them in the handover, and some were lost because of that. I hope the next VPE would give media a great focus, because I confess that I didn’t give it enough attention, and accordingly, we were only hosted a few times on TV and radio stations, but I hope this would
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IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 37
Yara Khater MU-LC, General Member
IFMSA-Jo..
Why Be an IFMSAian?
No matter how well prepared you think you are for medicine, it won’t take you more than 3 months to find yourself asking: What have I gotten myself into? Yet while discovering how stressful and pressure forcing medicine is - specially during the basic years - you come across something that makes you see the light in the dark, the full half of the cup, and reminds you with the reason that got you into medicine in the first place which is devoted for helping others despite how busy you are or complicated life has gotten. The one that makes you feel like the knowledge you are taking is blossoming in the most beautiful way for others to benefit, it is the place where you find yourself growing as a doctor and becoming more mature as a person. No doubt all IFMSA members will tell you how much good of an impact IFMSA work has left upon them, it gives you the chance to know colleagues of all years and universities, even from other countries, people you never thought you would get the chance to meet! It provides you with a brand new knowledge, one that you will never find in books, the social one that you will only obtain by experience. IFMSA surly never fails to open the doors for you. It trains you for the upcoming years and gives you the chance to practice, before being put into real life. After my very first IFMSA project - which was only 3 months after enrolling in university - I was told: «Welcome to the great family of IFMSA». Now, almost a year after I feel like I know what it means, there is nothing better than living in a healthy atmosphere, based on mutual respect and reciprocal knowledge. So in the end, why be an IFMSAian? Simply because, it is the only way to learn while giving.
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 38
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Sura Mubarak UJ-LC, Projects Support Division Director
IFMSA-Jo..
Introduction: There may be a lot of questions that you will have about starting a project - What is the first thing to do? - From where can I have the materials? - Will I organize the whole project by myself? - What are the most important points that I need to do to have a successful project? By the end of this guide you will have clear idea about how to organize a project and the steps that you need to follow to reach your goal. Idea: When you put your mind to work, don’t be afraid of what you think. You may stumble upon something brilliant! Your education is an opportunity to discover and let your mind wander. Will your ideas fit in with what has to come with current reality?
How to Start a Project? by Sura Mubarak The right person in the right place at the right time makes all difference Good reliable communication method ensures smooth progress; you can use E-mails, meetings, a Facebook group or even mobile phones to stay in touch What items do you need? You need to write down a list of your required items (examples include transportation buses, banners, projector, syringes, papers etc.), because it is easy to forget things. Finally, create a financial file including all expenses to set a clear vision of how much money the project needs. First meeting: The main goals of this meeting are: - To discuss the idea of your project - To update the proposal with new suggestions - To put the action plan for the whole project - To assign tasks to the team members. Sponsorship: Sponsorship could be monetary, non monetary, or media coverage.
Without ideas, progress isn’t made, change doesn’t happen, and much of human development stops.
Create a list of your suggested sponsors in cooperation with the concerned Vice President for External affairs (VPE)
Proposal writing: Use project proposal templates (Arabic and English editions) which are to be provided by the concerned officer. Then submit it to your the Executive Board for the approval.
Monitoring: Follow up with the team and be updated with the progress.
Assemble your team: - How to choose a suitable team? We usually use Google Forms as an application method. Use objective selection criteria: what are you looking for in your team members? It is recommended that 30% of your chosen team is experienced Bear in mind: Having an appropriate number of members will give more efficiency to the work
Documentation: Reporting (Check report template) Feedback forms for target population feedback) Feedback forms for volunteers and the OC
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Execution: It is time to call for volunteers and get things done.
(public
Thank you letters: Showing gratitude by sending appreciation letters and giving trophies to parties of great contribution.
IFMSA - Jordan Magazine (September 15' Edition) 39
Meet the Writers Abdulqadir Shanti
HU-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
Ahmad Abbadi
JUST-LC, Chief Editor at Publications Team
Amer Abu Shanab
Faris Kamal
Ghadi Al-Wazani
Leen Younis
Sura Mubarak
Yara Khater
Zakaria Shkoukani
Zeina Abu Orabi
UJ-LC, General Member
JUST-LC, General Member
UJ-LC, Projects Support Division Director
UJ-LC, Chief Writer at Publications Team
HU-LC, General Member
UJ-LC, General Member
MU-LC, General Member
JUST-LC, Chief Editor at Publications Team
This Magazine is Dedicated to IFMSA-Jordan from the Publications Team
Designed by Amer Abu Hussein
E: amer_g.designer@hotmail.com