SLEMSA-SCORE END OF TERM REPORT 2020/2021

SCORE Research Exchange

T HE SCOR E

SLEMSA JOURNAL What is Inside 1. SCORE research awareness workshop.

2. SCOPE-SCORE workshop.

3. Research and Dissertation proposal writing workshop.

4. Journal Club meeting, online teaching session and paper of the week.

5. SCORE members in youth forward annual meeting.

6. Appreciation of our session coordinators 7. Farewell message from the NORE.

Fatmata Batuly Bah

NORE

Abdul Akim Kamara

Capacity building Assistant

Fatmata Bintu Barrie Souma

LORE

Abubakarr Mansaray Social Media Assistant 2

Abubakar Jalloh

Abdulai Sayni Turay Social Media Assistant 1

Special committe lead.

Tamba J.A. Lebbie

Yusif Tamba koroma

Mary Sathela Kanu

Program Assistant

Assistant on organization development

General Assistant

Iye Pateh Jalloh

Fundraising Asistant

1. SCOPE - SCORE WORKSHOP ACTIVITY SUMMARY: It was a successful event in which the aims and objectives were met. The session attracted medical students from 1st year to final year; from both standing committees, we learnt about the interrelated activities between the two standing committees, our exchange programs, history, current activities, projects, and future collaborations. In between the various sessions, we had energizers and fun activities, food and drinks wereserved, climaxed with networking and taking photos.

IMPLEMENTATION: Class to class visitation was done and a registration link was shared on all platforms. A comprehensive presentation on the structures, types of exchanges, application processes involved, and terms and references of all exchanges, was done by the various session teams; headed by the NORE and NEO.

CHALLENGES: We had to change the proposed venue at the 11th hour because of ongoing lectures and the general attendance was hindered because some classes were having lectures at the same time.

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2. RESEARCH AWARENESS WORKSHOP ACTIVITY SUMMARY: On the 12th June 2021, we organised our first ever Research Awareness workshop at the Nursing School Hall Connaught. The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness about the important of Research in Medicine with the theme "THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS". Our keynote speaker was Dr Issac Olufemi Smalle; Quantitative Researcher, Dean of Faculty Basic Medical Sciences, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association and also an Executive Board member of the Medical and Dental Council. There were other various speakers including: Our former NORE, Dr Chukuemeka Haffner who was tasked with the responsibility to talk about Research opportunities in IFMSA. Dr Sulaiman Lakoh, an Infectious Disease consultant with multiple publications sighted the importance of students engaging in research at an early stage.

OUTCOME: The outcome was great. The purpose of the campaign awareness was achieved and we had a lot of amazing feedback from attendees.

CHALLENGES: There was limited time for the focus group discussions.

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3.THE SCORE JOURNAL CLUB ACTIVITY SUMMARY: The journal club was established some years ago; successive executives has failed to keep up with the task of getting it up and running. As a standing committee with the primary goal of getting students involved into research, we have successfully managed to hold several sessions over the last couple of months with renowned researchers as facilitators.

Facilitators so far: 1. Dr. Mohamed Bella Jalloh 2. Professor Alhaji U N’jai 3. Dr. Mamadu Baldeh

OUTCOME: The experience has been great so far; we have been able to bridge the existing gap and now students are confident and highly interested in research.

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4. RESEARCH AND DISSERTATION WRITING WORKSHOP ACTIVITY SUMMARY: On the 24th July 2021, we held our first Research and Dissertation writing workshop at the 4th year classroom Connaught hospital. The aim of the workshop was to develop the capacity of medical students to be well equipped to undertake independent research rather than waiting till their final year of studies to be introduced to research.

The theme of the workshop was “Unmasking the key to writing Excellent Research and Dissertation Project.”

OUTCOME: The outcome was great.

Participants benefitted a lot and the facilitators advised us to be doing research education sessions frequently.

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5.YOUTH FORWARD PARTNERSHIP The Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE) as part of our ways to capacitate our members, we collaborated with Youth Forward Sierra Leone and Boston College of Social work England. Youth Forward in Sierra Leone provides framework for youth readiness intervention, mental health intervention for war affected youths, research projects and so much more.

On the 9th and 10th of December 2021, a two-day extensive workshop was done on the theme “Children youth and families: Translating research into policies “where our standing committee was well represented and we took vital role in bringing to light how we have worked in the area of research in relation to Youths and Medicine. Our members learnt a lot as seasoned researchers like Dr Jawo Bah, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie and many others paid justice to the theme.

6.POEM BY MARY SATHELA KANU Our African history is known today because stories were told to us Our past, integrity and pan Africanism are kept alive in our hearts and our museums. But truly I say to you, ourfuture, our stability and the black race can only be kept alive with the blood and heart of knowledge, methodologies and research. Have you ever stopped to think about a world where there are no medicines? A world where there are no medical and life saving interventions, no surgical procedures, no medical and rehabilitation therapies? A world was being sick is as good as being dead I believe if that world was a reality. Sickness, pain, death and the stench of agony will swallow up all humanity. But yet when the word research is mentioned, to the ears of many it sounds boring to the heart of plenty it feels tiring. Sometimes I wish we are Only kidding when we play careless about research because we shoot ourselves in the leg whenever we ignore Research. Did you know?

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In 1841 William Henry Harrison the president of the whole United States died of pneumonia. Pneumonia which now can be managed by antibiotics like penicillin. Thanks to research the Marvel comics showed us the Africans that we are Unstoppable with research. Through the king T’challa and his powerful vibranium kingdom of Wakanda.

Now malaria, HIV, heart conditions are curable or at least manageable Thanks to research. Not all heroes wear capes join SCORE in researching the world.

7.POEM BY MAMIE JATU KANNEH THAT THING!

Girls are told to treat their virginity like a diamond, only give it to the boy who's emotionally rich enough to love them. Boys are taught to treat their virginity like a small stone, toss it into the air, see where it goes. Girls are told their body is a temple only kings can enter. Boys are told their private part is a dart Aim for the bullseyes even if you miss, you'll score every time. So, boys spend their youth trying to crack the codes to those private wombs. and rules to these covered loops. Even when she says no! He was taught persistent is rewarded He travels between her legs with guilty trips and broken promises she thinks, its Love but love is one of his Devices. Maybe the root of rape culture is the way boys are groomed if they are taught to love their bodies maybe, they would respect women too.

APPRECIATION OF OUR SESSION COORDINATORS

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8.NORE FAREWELL MESSAGE Serving our dark blue family as a director was a dream I had couple of years ago, it was only possible to achieve this dream because of your support and trust. I want to thank the entire general membership for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity for the Executive Term 2020/2021. Our activities as a standing committee wouldn’t have been possible without your commitment and participation, I want to appreciate the effort of every one who made time to attend our sessions both in-person and online. To our amazing tutors; the success of our standing committee was a result of your commitment and patience in delivering whenever you are called upon. I just want to re-echo that your service has impacted the next generation of health leaders. We are forever grateful!

I would also like to acknowledge our sponsors and well-wishers for their overwhelming support throughout our term, our activities always attract participants because of your support. On behalf of my team, we say a big thank you.

To my team of officials, I would have never done this without your tremendous support.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. To my former boss (Diana), former NORE (Emeka), and former president (Abdul Karim) thank you for always helping out when never I knocked on your doors.

To my family and friends outside medical school, thank you for been supportive throughout my tenure. I love and appreciate you all. I am encouraging you all to please continue your support to the incoming leadership and participate fully in future sessions and programs. Let us try to maintain the standard we have set and push SCORE to higher heights. To the incoming NORE I’m always available to give my advice and support whenever I am called upon, SCORE is my family now. I pray the Lord guide the incoming leadership to achieve more. Big warm Dark Blue Hugs. Fatmata Batuly Bah Outgoing National Officer on Research Exchange.

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