RADICAL INCLUSION LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND
ALHASSAN ARSHA BARRIE Candidature for President Sierra Leone Medical Students’ Association #ChangeMaker 2022
“We will lead not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example”
TABLE OF CONTENT Motivation
-3
Plan of Action
-6
Curriculum vitae - 18
#ChangeMaker
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Motivation Letter
Young people are shaping the world. We are 1.8 billion. 1.8 billion dreams, 1.8 billion ideas, and 1.8 billion actions. Dearest SLEMSians, What a journey it has been!! In November of 2015, if anyone would’ve told me that I will come thus far in Med school related politics, I would have certainly considered that to be an overstatement, for a skinny kid raised by a single mum, who grew up and spent his entire life prior to college in the Eastern part of Freetown, such a dream was so far fetched. Now don’t get me wrong, I left high school as the star pupil of my era, a senior school prefect, the best graduating student of my time, the head of publications for the school speculum press, and have always been of the firm conviction that change is created when people with visible and implementable ideas, positive momentum and right work ethics are given the mantle of leadership devoid of sentiment. But as with every other freshman that have gained admission into Med school, I came with the premeditating idea that you come to read books, make good grades and graduate top of your class, with extra curricular including student related politics reserved for students in other areas of studies. Seven (7) years on, I am more than proud to say that SLEMSA and IFMSA have not only changed my perception, but have mounded my character into one which I never imagined upon my arrival. This I must say is a lifetime honor.
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I am Alhassan Arsha Barrie, a proud household name of our beloved NMO, IFMSA-Africa and COMAHS at large. Describing myself as a modern day medic, I very much believed in the positive impact of people’s lives via the diverse applicable means available in today’s world, ensuring that the younger generation is much more motivated and capacitated, a vivid representation of our association and federation’s objectives through capacity building. I have always been a people’s person, a team player, an extrovert who cares deeply, and an inspiration to many. These virtues have resulted in well established relationships between myself and colleagues, as well as with partners (nationally and internationally) from all walks of life. Relationships which we will use to impact lives and broaden our working spectrum in the nation’s health sector. I have lived and breathed SLEMSA. From becoming the 1st SLEMSIAN to put the Green white and blue on the official Medical student magazine for Africa, to representing “salone” at 3 International General assemblies, 2 Regional meetings, and many external events both Nationally and internationally. I have certainly seen it all, given it all, and lived it all. Rest assured that it can only get better from here! Academia has always been an important aspect of my life. This has clearly manifested in the past 6 years of study, maintaining a great academic score, despite my involvement in countless other activities; an achievement that is based solemnly on the idea that I need endless self- evaluation of my activities more than how I need endless teaching and learning. If we have crossed paths, you would describe me as a very intelligent, motivated, talented, disciplined, creative and diverse individual who always strives for excellence in whatever he sets his soul on,an integral part of who I am and who I have become. As much as education plays a significant role in my life, extra curricular has always remained a major entrenched fiber in my DNA. I have been involved in a series of maneuvers ranging from the cultural history, politics and languages of countries and global health policies, to the modern dynamism of our rapidly growing world. These extracurriculars have over the years served as a buffer between career path and passion. These qualities I believe will be of utmost relevance in serving in such a capacity as we strive to change the face of our association and our country as a whole.
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Serving our beloved SLEMSA all these years has been a lifetime privilege. 7years on, despite several requests in the past from members to run for office, I wholeheartedly believe that the time can never be right as it is now. This is an opportunity to not only expand our horizons while doing something I love, but a once in a lifetime honor to serve as your leader and be able to impact Sierra Leonean lives while building the capacity of our future physicians. Here I am; standing as one, but with 10,000 stories. 10,000 ideas, 10,000 dreams, and 10,000 actions to change the trajectory of SLEMSA for good. Let’s make History together! Alhassan Arsha Barrie The Gentle Genius! #ChangeMaker
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PLAN OF ACTION
Bolstering
Building
our legacy
from within
Building around
Becoming the
and beyond
face of Africa
#ChangeMaker
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1. BOLSTERING OUR LEGACY An association that has existed for over a decade, on the solemn ideology that we are stronger together than we are when divided. -I (probably the only place in this candidature where you’ll see this pronoun) will ensure to work, to the best of my ability, with whomever is elected by the General house here today. Unity is strength, and when there is teamwork, wonderful things can be achieved. WE ARE LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND! - Ensure to create a comprehensive handing over/ transitional scheme together with the outgoing Executive. An effective handing over will not only help us in appreciating the work done by the ASAP led Executive, but as well bring forth reasons and solutions to problems they encountered, ensuring such problems are avoided going forward. - Maintain a functioning Supervising Council (as demanded by our constitution) that will serve as a check and balance to our executive work.. - A functioning Alumni that can not only provide guidance but as well be actively involved in our capacity building working scheme -SLEMSA 2022 - 2025 National Priority scheme : A group of focused areas in which our work scheme will be focused On.
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-Secretary General: - A comprehensive plan is made to issue ID Cards to the general membership, continual implementation of the “go green initiative” (constant use of the SLEMSA Website and the SLEMSA mobile APP) and ensure the smooth implementation of his/her work plan. -We will not only relaunch the SLEMSA Journal club, but ensure it becomes fully active. As an internationally recognized writer, I have seen many talents within med school not been optimally realized in the writing context. We will ensure that the purpose of the journal club is served! Writers given the opportunity to express themselves and students getting exposed to research opportunities.
-Treasurer: -Work closely to not only ensure that the finances of the association improves drastically, but also provide SLEMSians with better offers of the association’s stocks.
-Vice President: We will ensure to delegate responsibilities to his/her office that usually rest on that of the presidency, while supporting him/her in achieving his manifesto promises.
-Public Relations office The PR office is and will remain the face of our association. We will ensure to power this office with all we’ve got so as to keep the public (nationally and internationally) well informed about our SLEMSA.
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2. BUILDING FROM WITHIN “The competition is never between yourself and your classmates, but rather between yourself and the rest of the world” ~ Arsha Capacity building being the bedrock of our association and our federation, we will not forget to remind ourselves that we are students, and ensuring that our members are well capacitated in Lieu with the rapidly changing and diverse global health sector is and must be the priority of every elected executive. Medicine is changing from the normal self-patient centered care to a public health centered one, and we will ensure, to the best of our abilities, that our members are well exposed and given the necessary training to face the rest of the world.
-Standing Committees: I am very much optimistic that those running for the positions of Standing Committee Director are competent people who have had vast knowledge and ideas about the functioning of their respective standing committees, as they are the backbone of SLEMSA. We will also ensure to select competent Standing Committee Directors and Assistants (where necessary) to continue with the normal capacity building and leadership training scheme. Ensure that quarterly work plans are submitted by each standing committee director, so as to prevent clashes and also help in proper planning of the various activities.
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With the help of the TO, we will ensure to create project proposals (in lieu of the work plans that would’ve been submitted) within the 1st quarter of officially taking over office. This can help in seeking assistance and funding from sponsors and partners. We will, to the best of my ability, ensure that the various SC Directors are given the best of support in implementing whatever projects or activities that are of utmost importance to the committee and general membership.
-leadership training As I present this candidature, let me hastily mention that serving as your Organizing Committee chairperson for the 6th National General Assembly brought us so many opportunities beyond my own imagination. We were for a long long time able to partner with not only the Ministry of Health, and other government run Departments and agencies, but with top notch NGOs in Sierra Leone. The presence of trainers from the CDC, WHO, etc. in last year’s NGA was a clear manifestation of how bright the future really is. We were able to establish contacts with UNFPA, UNDP, THE EUROPEAN UNION,THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, THE RAINBOW INITIATIVE, DFID, USAID, ONE HEALTH DIRECTORATE, to name but a few, all of which have a vast array of Human Resource who we will ensure deliver state of the art trainings on “out of classroom topics.” We will ensure that our members are capacitated, with the rest of the world’s standard ‼️
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-IFMSA Regional And Global Priorities.. The global priorities are a group of focus areas and overarching concepts in which the internal and external work In IFMSA standing committees will be focused on. The following priorities were approved in the just concluded ARM in Kampala: -Universal Health Coverage -Maternal Health SLEMSA being one of the most active NMO in IFMSA, my executive will ensure to focus our activities under the above mentioned priorities, thereby providing a common interest with the federation, while ensuring a vast array of knowledge is made available to our membership.
-Establishment of A WELFARE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.. One phrase that is synonymous with medical students in Sierra Leone is that of stress and emotional instability. We’ve been taught that pressure is virtue, and that we can only thrive as Doctors based on how well we can absorb. This is a myth that must change! We will therefore ensure to create a functional welfare committee, that will solemnly be responsible for identifying trauma prone students, follow up on their academics and personal challenges, and swiftly offer solutions to them. We are leaving no-one behind!!
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3. BUILDING AROUND AND BEYOND Building around: We’ve witnessed quite a number of partnerships with other students' bodies within Sierra Leone over the past year. As an incoming executive, we will surely maintain these established relations, and strive to create new ones with other student-led organizations and associations in and around Sierra Leone. By this, we will be able to swiftly increase the spectrum of our work, as well as decentralize our implementable projects beyond the shores of Freetown. We will also ensure to partner with Civil society based organizations and community based organizations so we can be able to increase the number of projects implemented and by extension the number of lives transformed.
Building Beyond: SLEMSA has clearly restored its mark as a leading student run organization in Sierra Leone, even though some may argue that it is yet to be reflective on its members. Over the past 2 years, we have not only partnered with the Government of Sierra Leone (through the office of the Vice President, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry Of Health and Sanitation, the Freetown city council, and other Departments and Agencies) but has created long lasting relationships with NGOS in Sierra Leone. The presence of trainers and dignitaries from the above-mentioned NGOs and organs of government in our 6th National General Assembly clearly manifested the trajectory our beloved association is on, and being your OC
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chairperson, I cannot be happier knowing all those long meetings and countless follow ups paid off. With project proposals created and submitted from various Standing committee directors, we will ensure to explore concrete partnerships with the above mentioned institutes to ensure that projects are implemented, and SALESIANS trained. Projects and training which are in line with their global priorities- eg: Anti- Microbial Resistance in the context of One - Health global policy for WHO, strengthening global workforce for CDC, and curtailing Gender and Domestic based violence for rainbow initiative. The ARM 2020 served as an eye opener and a cornerstone for our association’s exposure to the outside walls of COMAHS, and being one of the most active members of the organizing committee as well as the planning committee set up by the Government of Sierra Leone, i can attest to you all that with the right leadership, we have the powers to achieve the unthinkable. For the first time in a long term, we partnered with ORANGE -SL, the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Rokel Commercial Bank, NP- Sierra Leone Limited, Onlime Telecom, establish contacts with GT Bank, Mercury international, UBA etc. many of which were keen on a long term partnership with the association. We will ensure to work with them and see the swift implementation of our work plan over the next year.
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Diversifying our activities. if there's one thing COVID-19 has confirmed -it's that the health of anyone, anywhere, is the health of everyone, everywhere. The relevance of such statements and the subsequent role of medical students in achieving Universal health coverage in the Sierra Leonean context cannot be overemphasized. The health and well being of a farmer in Kailahun or Kambia is the concern of a six figure earner in Freetown, and as we strive towards achieving sustainable development goals - 3 (Good health and well-being) it is mandatory upon us as future physicians that we cater for all. Most (if not all) of the projects that SLEMSA has embarked on over the years has primarily been based in Freetown and its outskirts. We will therefore ensure to decentralize our activities and subsequently target communities in the provinces
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4. BECOMING THE FACE OF AFRICA For the first time in our association’s history, we had a SLEMSiAn who became a member of the IFMSA- team of officials. This progress made by previous excos in ensuring that we become a powerhouse in Africa must, and will continue. We will ensure that we have suitable SLEMSians vying for positions both at regional level and at the federation’s global political arena.
-improve external representation: In 2016/2017, under the Bella led Executive, we had a total of 23 students who represented SLEMSA in international conferences (8 to Burkina faso, 6 to Tanzania, 6 to the IFMSA SRT in Abuja, 1 to a UN high summit meeting in New York and 2 to Kigali for the WHSS). This took a massive turn in 2018/2019 (under the JTJ led executive) with only 3 external representatives (IFMSA August meeting in Taiwan). In 2019/2020, a total of 9 delegates (2 to Malawi and 7 to Rwanda) represented SLEMSA at international meetings, and this number drastically increased after covid struct, as the world shift to a “new normal” of online meetings (16 for OAM, and 18 for the Online ARM). Myself and 11 others represented the association last year in the 17th ARM in UGANDA, and despite the challenges involved in travelling, we will very much ensure that we have a maximum number of students attending not only IFMSA based meetings, but as well be able to attend external functions of Governmental MDAs, and other NGOs within Sierra Leone.
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-Establishment of the Travel Assistance Fund (TAF) This is one area that most (if not all) presidents have promised to activate over the years, and has been a major challenge to past executives. The TAF as inscribed in our constitution “is a fund that aims to support committed and deserving members of weak financial status to attend IFMSA meetings. In a bid to not only increase external representation but also to pay back dedicated and hardworking SLEMSIAN throughout my tenure, my executive will for the first term create a TAF scheme that will assist members with some (if not all) amount of funding so that they too can experience the IFMSA dream. I have spent close to $4,000 dollars from my own personal funds to represent SLEMSA at international assemblies in just 2 years,and as such know how difficult that can be. Enrollment of our Activities into IFMSA - Programs’ scheme. It is very much certain that SLEMSA as an NMO has undertaken countless number of projects since 2011, ranging from the Kick Ebola out campaign to the recent covid-19 sensitization tour. But sadly, only a few have gained international recognition over the years. The importance of enrolling our activities (be it projects, campaigns, celebrations, workshops, events, training or theme-based publications) and projects with IFMSA cannot be overemphasized. Such benefits includes:
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● Support from the program coordinators. ● Eligibility for different IFMSA opportunities and grants, ● International recognition. This is an area that my executive will explore to its fullest.
-ARM 22 Sierra Leone: Living the dream! This section would be incomplete if I failed to acknowledge the amazing work done by Dr. Abdul KARIM Bah, Foday Abdul Koroma, and above all, the rest of the ARM 2022 Bidding team that went to KAMPALA, UGANDA. Dr. Bah’s executive ensured that we live the dream despite the tumult brought forth by Covid-19, and I can promise you today that come December 2022, we will realize the ARM SIERRA LEONE Dream, and show to all of Africa the hidden treasure on the west coast.
Let’s make history together‼️ #ChangeMaker!
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Education
Alhassan Arsha Barrie Medic beyond the white coat. Global health and Foreign health policy enthusiasts
DOB: 2nd May Address: 74 Jabbie Street, Calaba Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone Phone: +23278 820823 Email: alhassanbarrie2@gmail.com
Languages
Holy Family Senior Secondary School WASSCE - 2015 College of Medicine And Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University Of Sierra Leone - 2015/16 - present University Of Ibadan, Nigeria - Environmental Neurotoxicity, the challenges and therapeutics International Brain Research Organization, VLTP - COMAHS -Neuroplasticity Young African Leaders initiative Network -Effective communication for healthy outcomes - Understanding Human rights Griffith University - Virtual - Plagues, pestilence and pandemics London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine - Virtual -Disease outbreak in low and middle income countries - Health crises in Humanitarian settings - Global health and disability - Covid-19: tracking the novel coronavirus Oxford University - Virtual - Autumn school in Neuroscience
Krio (pigeon English) English - Official
Achievements
Socials
-Ambassador - BrainBook Charity, United Kingdom Alumnus - International Brain Research Organization Network Member - Young Africa Leaders Initiative Network. SLEMSIAN of the year - 2019/2020
Fb: @Al Hassan Arsha Twitter: @barriealhassan2 LinkedIn: @ Alhassan Barrie Instagram: @Al_Hassan_Arsha
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IFMSA EXPERIENCE
Alhassan Arsha Barrie Medic beyond the white coat. Global health and Foreign health policy enthusiasts
DOB: 2nd May Address: 74 Jabbie Street, Calaba Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone Phone: +23278 820823 Email: alhassanbarrie2@gmail.com
General delegate (Scome Sessions) -69th IFMSA MARCH MEETING 2020 - Kigali, RWANDA. General Delegate - 17th AFRICA REGIONAL MEETING 2021- Kampala, UGANDA President session’s Delegate - 69th IFMSA AUGUST MEETING 2020. President session & NMO Management sessions delegate - 16th AFRICA REGIONAL MEETING 2020. President Sessions Delegate - 70th IFMSA March GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2021. Publicity Strategist- 16th Africa Regional Meeting Organizing Committee Head of Logistics and Technical Support 16th- 18th Africa Regional Meeting Organizing Committee Auscultate Magazine Publications July 2019, September 2020, September 2021.
SLEMSA /NMO WORK OC- Chairperson- 6th NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OC- Chairperson- 5th White Coat Ceremony. Editor In Chief - SLEMSA- Sierra Leone newsletter 2019 Editorial Board Member - SLEMSA- Sierra Leone newsletter 2020 Editorial board member - SLEMSA - Sierra Leone Newsletter 2021 SLEMSA- Sierra Leone Newsletter publications - 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Sub- Committee head - SLEMSA- Sierra Leone SCOME week and retreat. National General Assemblies - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021.
Languages Krio (pigeon English) English - Official
Socials Fb: @Al Hassan Arsha Twitter: @barriealhassan2 LinkedIn: @ Alhassan Barrie Instagram: @Al_Hassan_Arsha
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“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
SLEMSA will be in good hands...🤗 #ChangeMaker #ChangeMaker
Una Tenki
♥️
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