AMSA SG
AUG 2021
I
F
turns
M 70
S
A
ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE, AND ABOUT RUNNING Poem by Rachel Brandão e Mendes Pinheiro, IFMSA Brazil
The young breathe better when they are running. It’s part of youth, to comprehend the capacity in your lungs – The pace of your heartbeat. The young have the spirit of fire inside their ribcage; and they feel, and they know, and they learn. And everything is harder, everything is better: happiness comes stronger, sadness hits harder. The young are the power of humanity embodied. What wounds them, cuts deep. What wounds them, it’s an emergency. The young cannot stop running – They cannot be stopped. Whatever makes them bleed, it bleeds over the entire world. But when they shine like starlight on a dark sky; when they rise and they speak and they paint pictures of a better future – everything glows, sunlight streaming to the galaxies. Let the young run.
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IFMSA TURNS 70!
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IFMSA TURNS 70!
foreword
many factors.
global health, and I hold a high regard for IFMSA members all over the globe
It is with great delight that I
who have followed our predecessor's
present to you our inaugural AMSA
footsteps
SG IFMSA newsletter. First of all, I
inclusive, sustainable and resilient
would like to thank the AMSA SG
healthcare.
to
shape
a
universally
IFMSA committee for their active involvement in the past year, and
IFMSA unites over a wide range of
all AMSA SG members who have
health priorities which are revised
come alongside us to support our
every
efforts.
communicable
Especially
in
this
term-
Health
Equity,
Diseases,
NonAnti-
unprecedented time of the COVID-
microbial Resistance, just to name a
19 pandemic, it was heartening to
few. It does not stop short at access to
see the team working tirelessly to
care,
push the frontiers of initiating
management, for it looks out for the
meaningful
interconnectedness of health and the
work,
even
joining
disease
as
prevention
well
as
and
hands with overseas partners to
environment
effect positive outcomes locally.
change. The recent relentless wildires
climate
across Southern Europe to the United This newsletter, in line with IFMSA's
States makes it clear - the climate
70th
to
crisis must not be taken lightly, and
highlight the Federation's role and
demands action from all stakeholders
purpose
to preserve the well-being of our
anniversary, as
a
intends
highly
relevant
leverage for youth empowerment and
change
in
know, is influenced by
by Charmaine Toh Vice-President (IFMSA) '20/21
Dear reader,
Health, as we
Earth and the people that inhabit it.
healthcare
worldwide. It takes great courage
I eagerly await the next 70 years to
to stand up, speak out and act
unfold, for the next generation full of
upon our collective vision and
will and burning desire to change the
dream for the future of IFMSA and
world.
The promotion of health must thus be tackled from many anglesrights, access to care, a trained workforce, safe environment... and many more.
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IFMSA TURNS 70!
contents
WHAT'S INSIDE? INTRODUCTION TO IFMSA
5-6
REFLECTIONS FROM THE IFMSA TEAM ASSOC VP, SCOME, SCOPH, SCOPE, SCORP
7-15
WHY JOIN IFMSA?
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INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATIONS (IFMSA) INTRODUCTION
VISION & MISSION
Founded in 1951, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organisations. It represents and connects 1.4 million medical students from 141 National Member Organisations (NMO) in 132 countries around the world.
A world in which all medical students unite for
We have excelled in external affairs with numerous
collaborations
and
IFMSA-
delegations attending meetings at World Medical Association, UN Commission on the Status of Women and World Health Organisation.
global
health,
and
are
equipped
with
the
knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally. IFMSA unites medical students’ worldwide to lead initiatives that impact positively the communities we serve. IFMSA represents the opinions and ideas of future health professionals in the field of global health, and works in collaboration with external partners. IFMSA builds capacity through training, project
and
exchange
opportunities,
while
embracing cultural diversity, so as to shape a sustainable and healthy future.
IFMSA'S OBJECTIVES To expose medical students to humanitarian and global health issues. To
facilitate
partnerships
between
the
medical
student
community and international organizations working on health, education, and medicine. To give opportunities in clinical and research exchanges worldwide. To provide a network that links active medical students across the globe, so that they can learn from and be motivated by each other.
MEDICAL STUDENTS WORLDWIDE
To provide an international framework in which medical student projects can be initiated, developed and implemented. To empower and train medical students to take a role in
IFMSA MOTTO
bringing about the necessary changes to improve the health of all global citizens.
IFMSA TURNS 70!
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IFMSA TURNS 70!
IFMSA STRUCTURE Standing Committees
In order to better categorise and facilitate the work that the IFMSA does, it has 6 standing committees focusing on different crucial health topics and medical student-related interests. Thousands of projects, activities, workshops and conferences are organised annually, allowing students to become agents of change at home. Having these standing committees gives each NMO clearer direction for their work, and allows the IFMSA international team to coordinate the activities being done all around the world. The work of each standing committee is complemented by training, campaigns and advocacy efforts, giving youth space to learn in both formal and non-formal educational settings.
Read more here: https://ifmsa.org/standing-committees/
REGIONAL MEETINGS Variable; Asia-Pacific June/July
Regional Meetings occur annually in every IFMSA region- AsiaPacific, Europe, Africa, America, and
Eastern
Meditteranean
Region (EMR). The Asia Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) is held annually around June/ July. 67th August General Assembly in Montréal, Canada | Credits: ifmsa.org
IFMSA
APRM
provides
an
avenue for IFMSA members in
GENERAL ASSEMBLIES March } August IFMSA General Assemblies are among the biggest youth-led events around the world. Held twice a year – once in March, once in August – they are usually attended by over 800 medical students from 100+ countries. Vote on policies, candidatures, strategies, and more, to chart IFMSA’s path forward Social activities and cultural exchange between students from all around the world All AMSA SG members can apply to be part of our delegation
the
region
to
exchange
knowledge and experience, tackle shared
regional
and
IFMSA-
related issues and to experience the
workings
of
an
IFMSA
General Assembly. Comprising
activities
ranging
from social events, theme events, governance and decision-making sessions to activity, research and exchange fairs, the IFMSA APRM hopes to likewise inspire the next generation of future physicians to become leaders and advocates through the exchange of ideas, networking and learning from the various programming sessions.
NOTABLE FORUMS IFMSA has a non-state actor status at the World Health Organisation. Every year, IFMSA sends a youth delegation to the World Health Assembly.
Youth Pre-World Health Assembly hosted by IFMSA | Credits: ifmsa.org
IFMSA TURNS 70!
Delegations from IFMSA are also invited to numerous other forums such as the High Level Political Forum.
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//
AMSA SG
IFMSA COMMITTEE '20/21
MEET
the team
Note: Photo was taken in compliance with prevailing safe distancing measures
AMSA SG IFMSA COMMITTEE: L to R: Hui Yi • Zheting • Praba • Zheng Hong • Charmaine • Tammy • Ryan • Reo Not in photo: Yuxuan
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IFMSA
ASSOCIATE VP Ryan Chee
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO APPLY FOR IFMSA AVP? I applied for the Associate Vice President role as I wanted to have a bigger picture of how IFMSA branch in AMSA-SG is run and to also help shape the direction of our NMO, considering that we are a young NMO. Being able to also learn from overseas medical students and to see how they execute events in line with causes that they believe in has been eyeopening. Initially, it was really difficult given the online setting of every event and having to navigate through such a big organisation. However, I am glad that the past 1 year with IFMSA has been fulfilling and enriching in both learning about the organisation and from passionate NOs overseas. If you want to learn and see how overseas medical
LEARNINGS & OPPORTUNITIES GAINED:
students think and plan activities, applying as a National Officer provides you with the opportunity to
I learnt how IFMSA organisation is run,
broaden your horizons and also forge friendships
how other NMO run their organisation
along the way.
and seeing how other NOs are equally passionate in pushing for activities and the ideals that they believe in. I had leadership opportunities and being able to contribute to the IFMSA branch of AMSA-SG, and the chance to represent
Singapore
at
the
Online
General Assembly. IFMSA TURNS 70!
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Standing Committee on Medical Education
SCOME Huang Yuxuan | Praba Rajkumar
Four-part webinar series in collaboration with AMSA SG SCOPH, as well as AMSA Hong Kong SCOME and SCOPH covering pertinent topics in Mental Health.
Why did you apply for IFMSA? Praba: I have always been interested in current and global affairs, and joining IFMSA gave me an opportunity to interact with likeminded people from all over the world! By attending GAs and carrying out initiatives with other NMOs, I was able to broaden my perspectives about healthcare in Singapore with regards to the rest of the world.
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Yuxuan: I think the chance to be able to learn from my counterparts from overseas was an opportunity that was too good for me to miss. More than that, I want to find ideas that would help my friends achieve a better quality of life in their medical education. IFMSA provided the mentorship to host a joint webinar session on Mental Health with AMSA-HK to discuss techniques to manage our stressors.
IFMSA TURNS 70!
What opportunities were you offered as a member of IFMSA? Praba: The ability to attend GAs, vote for motions on behalf of Singapore, interacting with and coming up with initiatives with other countries.
Yuxuan: IFMSA offered me the opportunities to hone my interpersonal skills. From crafting emails for guest speakers to Whatsapp-ing with other NMOs after General Assembly activities, I found myself learning to build rapport with different stakeholders. I believe this would make us become better doctors as we would need to learn to speak to different partners (patients and mentors alike) and earn their support.
Yuxuan: Even though COVID-19 was an obstacle for our interactions with other NMOs, we were still to experience the March General Assembly from our own homes. I also had the opportunity to work with another NOME closely for the Mental Health Webinar, so expect to form close friendships with your co-workers!
What were your takeaways during your term? Praba: I learnt how to communicate across language and cultural barriers with people from different countries. I was also able to hone my leadership skills in spearheading initiatives.
Why did you choose SCOME? And why should others join SCOME?
Praba: I chose the Standing Committee for Medical Education as I was interested in learning more about how we are educated in medical school, and possible ways that we can improve certain aspects of our education. By joining IFMSA as an NO, you are given the opportunity to meet people from more than 190 countries, which I feel is an extremely unique experience that no other association offers (in my knowledge). You also have the ability to spearhead initiatives with regards to issues that you are passionate about - both locally and across borders.
IFMSA TURNS 70!
Yuxuan: Medical Education was something personal to me as I think the knowledge we acquire in the first 5 years would mould our thinking as doctors. The issues that we could influence range from mental health/ burnout to patient-involved learning, and they carry relevance to our students in Singapore. If you want to make an impact in the learning of your batchmates (and future co-workers), meet new international friends, and develop close partnerships with your local committee, be part of the IFMSA team :)
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SCOPH chia hui yi • chua zheng hong
Why did you join IFMSA as a National Officer? Hui Yi: I applied for the role of NPO because I felt that I could contribute to the larger community with the skills and ideas I've gained from attending previous discussions/webinars/conferences. Public health was something that I gained a deep interest in and I believe that the relevant activities/opportunities can really valueadd to the experience of a medical student. Zheng Hong: I first joined AMSA SG as part of the IFMSA sub-comm as I resonated with the organization’s goal of empowering members to contribute to healthcare in meaningful ways even in our limited capacity as medical students.
^National educational campaign on screen use among children
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^Webinar on clinical communication
Why did you choose SCOPH? Hui Yi: I chose to join SCOPH because I had an awesome experience in IFMSA Aug'20 GA - the discussions/sharing sessions really broadened my world view and brought to light a lot of issues (about UHC, health inequity, health systems) that I didn't really get to hear about/learn in medical school. And after that I realised that how little I knew about these important topics and how much more I wanted to learn about them - which was the main reason I joined SCOPH + have an avenue to organise activities that can benefit vulnerable communities Zheng Hong: I chose Public Health as I have always been greatly interested in health policy, and the intersection between medicine, governance and social equity. My interest has only been affirmed by the unique experience of starting medical school with the COVID19 pandemic weighing so heavily on public consciousness, and this awareness drove me to pick SCOPH as my SC.
IFMSA TURNS 70!
standing committee for public health What did you learn during your term?
^Medical textbook donation drive
What opportunities were you offered in IFMSA? Hui Yi: 1. Meeting like-minded medical students who are VERY passionate about improving the healthcare scene in their country 2. Gain a broader perspective on the health topics on an international level 3. Join webinars/assemblies with healthcare experts with a wide spectrum of interests and experiences. Zheng Hong: I was given the opportunity to initiate several fulfilling activities with the valued partnership of the other NPO as well as the guidance of the other sub-comm and executive committee members. This has made me a better team player and has also honed my leadership skills, in addition to being able to make friends with students from all 3 medical schools. I was also part of the Singaporean delegation to 2 international assemblies which have been incredibly eye-opening and inspiring. Talking to and hearing from the NOs from all around the world has truly inspired me and challenged me to reconsider the bounds of what medical students can do. Through these activities as well as a projected conducted with AMSA Hong Kong, I was able to make friends with many students from different countries which I believe is a very unique opportunity provided by AMSA SG.
IFMSA TURNS 70!
Hui Yi: 1. Organising/planning activities - a lot of the administrative and background work (though not very glamorous) are crucial in laying down the foundation of a good project 2. Teamwork - you can only get so far by yourself; having a good partner and learning how to rely and work with them/bounce ideas off each other is very useful 3. Outreach - the endless thread of emails...kudos to Zheng Hong who has been tanking this part hahah but networking/finding the right people for the right job who are invested and have the relevant expertise is something that I've learnt during my term Zheng Hong: I was given a global, nuanced perspective on health issues, inspired by the work other medical students were doing, able to hone my skills both as a leader and a team player, learn the basics of starting and maintaining a project, learn to work and collaborate in a huge bureacratic organisation like the IFMSA, make friends with people around the world, etc.
^Mental Health Webinar series
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IFMSA TURNS 70!
SCORP
WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR SCORP? Tammy: Human rights issues resonates deeply with me - it's always been a field that I've dreamt of entering, serving and giving my heart to. Reo: My motivation to apply was mainly the engagement with the international community of medical students, learning from their varied experiences and cultures. Furthermore, I was interested in learning more about Human Rights and Peace issues, and its relation to the medical field. Medicine is after-all a basic necessity and I wanted to better understand the barriers to health in other countries, and applying that knowledge and perspective to the local context. I have achieved these goals by interacting with medical students within the Asia-Pacific region during the monthly meetings. There are workshops, sharings and brainstorming sessions, which allowed me to learn from people of varied backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, together with my committee, we decided to address gaps we saw in the community. We collected second-hand technology devices in a Covid-19 donation drive, and planned an online webinar providing multiple perspectives into the world of medical humanitarianism.
Tech donation drive for economically disadvantaged populations
WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING YOUR TERM? Tammy: I had the open space to push for novel and bold ideas, and the opportunity to learn from many others whilst leading on the human rights front of AMSA. Reo: I learnt to be an independent learner and thinker. When I first joined IFMSA , the learning curve was quite steep, and there was a lot of self-directed learning. Furthermore, given ample freedom to explore, I have learnt evaluate and prioritise our term goals, balancing realism and idealism. Additionally, I have learnt to solve problems in more creative ways. During the planning of our online webinar, there were various challenges, such as the unfocused topic, difficulty finding speakers and striking a balance between content and interaction. It required a lot of brainstorming to find a middle ground that would allow us to provide the best learning experience for the participants.
why should others choose SCORP? Tammy: A NORP fights for the fundamental rights accorded to every human being. Owing to its broad-based coverage, it provides great space for exploration! Reo: I chose the Standing Committee of Humans Rights and Peace (SCORP) as it extends towards a wide variety of issues I am interested in. Given the multi-national and international nature of IFMSA, I saw this as an opportunity to learn about pertinent issues in other countries that I would otherwise not have exposure to. Hearing about these issues first-hand from locals, broadened my perspectives on Human Rights and Peace issues. It allowed me to view certain issues in our local Singapore context with a newer set of lenses and to tackle it in alternative ways. You should choose this SC if you have an interest in Human Rights and Peace issues and are seeking to have further insight into them, in a way that is personal and direct. Especially given the numerous LCIPs and OCIPs in medical school, having further exposure into other humanitarian issues would create synergy in your learning experience. IFMSA TURNS 70!
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SCOPE ZHANG ZHETING NATIONAL EXCHANGE OFFICER
{ why scope } SCOPE held great significance for me as I believe in the power of exposure to novel experiences, open dialogue and exchange of
why did you join ifmsa?
ideas, as well as immersion in
I have always been passionate about medical education and global
exchange opportunities, I hoped to
health issues, and I love to connect with others who share the
similarly empower fellow medical
same interests. I believe that IFMSA offers a one-of-a-kind
students and create experiences
platform for exposure and collaboration with medical students
that will truly open our eyes to
from across the globe. There are invaluable opportunities for us to
what is beyond the classroom and
explore the world beyond the medical school curriculum.
even beyond the local healthcare
foreign environments. By taking charge of research and medical
sector.
I wished, therefore, to contribute my utmost and further promote AMSA SG and IFMSA—both to fellow students in Singapore and on the global stage. I applied for a position in IFMSA due to my ardent interest in international exchange and deepening knowledge and experience beyond the local healthcare scene. The work that IFMSA engages in nationally are also perfectly aligned with causes I believe in, including public health research and initiatives, particularly in the areas of medical education, humanitarian medicine, and advocacy. While COVID-19 has strangled any possibility of international exchanges, we have attempted to organise a regional hackathon
"we should think of designing for impact. size and quantity of a project matters not; it must add value." { opportunities }
with the theme of "Infectious Diseases" and highly relevant
I was offered the opportunity to
subthemes of antimicrobial resistance, vaccination and prevention,
attend the General Assembly (GA)
as well as preparation and response to disease outbreaks. We
and
eventually focused our efforts instead on the Bid for Singapore to
Meeting (APRM). And of course, the
host APRM 2022. This will be a watershed event for AMSA SG,
opportunity to lead, plan my own
IFMSA and the Singapore medical student community, as we
projects, and connect with medical
engage more deeply with other countries/NMOs and bolster our
students from the other medical
standing on the regional and global arena.
schools in Singapore.
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the
Asia-Pacific
Regional
IFMSA TURNS 70!
AMSA Singapore organises a wide variety of exchange programs, local and international events to fulfil its vision of Knowledge, Action and Friendship. Through these activities, AMSA SG hopes for medical students to meet and share their experiences, gaining a more holistic perspective on medical issues. Also, we hope to provide opportunities for local health project leaders to share their insights on an international scale, while gaining new ideas and direction in doing so.
2017 SCORE Exchange Madrid, Spain
2019 August General Assembly Taipei, Taiwan
2018 August General Assembly Quebec, Canada
2019 March General Assembly Portorož, Slovenia
2020 March General Assembly Kigali, Rwanda
The Youth Pre-World Health Assembly is held over 5 days prior to the World Health Assembly (WHA). 50 youth health advocates from all over the world gather to develop skills, gain knowledge, and contribute to collective advocacy.
Be a part of IFMSA today. WHY JOIN IFMSA COMM?
You will be empowered to initiate and lead meaningful activities related to healthcare You will represent Singapore’s medical students on the world stage, not only as delegates to events but also as the point of contacts for other National Officers globally You will have the chance to make friends with people all around the world, and be in regular contact with them You will work closely with Singaporean students from different medical schools and years of study You will learn about health policy, advocacy, and more, and be inspired by the efforts of the other members You will be able to participate in and lead other AMSA SG projects outside of the IFMSA branch
here's what awaits you... Access to all international opportunities provided Access to a global network of motivated medical students and therefore opportunities for collaboration in many areas and activities Delegations to the Assemblies, Regional Meetings, and Forums Exchanges with individual member organisations Organisational and logistical support as well as guidance from the IFMSA Plentiful opportunities to work closely with and to learn from global student leaders in healthcare Rare and valuable learning opportunities through meaningful participation in policy-making advocacy BUY and TICKETS 18
IFMSA TURNS 70!
asian medical students'
association singapore
connect with us!
instagram @amsa.sg
website www.amsasingapore.org
QUESTIONS? contact Vice-President (IFMSA) at vp.ifmsa@amsasingapore.org
IFMSA TURNS 70!
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think global, act local. ...is the mindset we take that guides our decison-making and the roadmap for our term in IFMSA. As we look out for opportunities and learn from others around the world, we ground our efforts in the local community, serving their needs.