------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Give the gift of life to a sick child.
Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/h8TXDC/6WnJAA/HwKMAA/igXolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
There are 7 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. A momentous day???
From: "Claire.Procter" <Claire.Procter@newcastle.ac.uk>
2. Re: A momentous day???
From: Lawrence Loh <lawrence.loh@alumni.uwo.ca>
3. ;-D Would you like to host EuRegMe III??? ;-D
From: Nathalie A. Rodríguez McCullough <nathalietf_aieme@yahoo.es>
4. Volunteer needed in Rwanda
From: Nkurunziza Ryarasa <josephnziza@yahoo.com>
5. Offline
From: Lara El-Zahabi <president_lemsic@yahoo.com>
6. WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES: ADOPTS KEY RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
From: "Joseph A. Afriye" <joculx@yahoo.com>
7. Second Biannual Cultural Show!
From: Lawrence Loh <lawrence.loh@alumni.uwo.ca>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 23:56:45 +0100
From: "Claire.Procter" <Claire.Procter@newcastle.ac.uk>
Subject: A momentous day???
Hi folks
Just thought I'd update you on what's been in the news in the UK today. I
thought it was a huge day in the whole of Europe until I saw that no other
country is including it in their news!
Today the EU made pledges regarding their aid budget. They plan to double the
spending on aid and all 25 countries committed to reaching the 0.7% target by
2015. This is great as long as they meet it!! Certain countries are apparently
already saying they may not be able to do it - Germany and Portugal being the
ones mentioned and we know what politicians are like for not sticking to their
promises!
There is also a lot of talk today because the UK government's plans for the G8
in Gleneagles regarding fair trade and poverty reduction are being blocked by
the US. Other rich countries are also not joining Europe on this committment
to poverty. The US and Japan being the crucial ones they're talking about.
We are doing what we can here in the UK to work on Make Poverty History and
our government is listening but it needs other governments to work with us. I
know a lot of you are doing great work taking on the white band campaign but I
just wanted to encourage you and say how crucial a campaign it is. We need you
to get involved and make your government work with the EU on this. The whole
world can help!
Also, if you want to come and get involved in the G8 rally in Edinburgh on 2nd
July it would be great to have you join us - please contact
president@medsin.org We have lots of plans for what Medsin will be doing but
it would be great to have internationals with us.
FOr more info check www.whiteband.org on how to get involved and the BBC have
been talking about this lots so check their website for more details of what's
been happening today.
Lets really take action on global health!
Claire xx
Claire Procter
President, Medsin-UK
Global Health through Local Action.
Address: 6 Roman Way, Wantage, OXON, OX12 9YF
Mob: +44 7788 906708
Tel/Fax: +44 1235 770993
Email: president@medsin.org
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 12:44:26 -0500
From: Lawrence Loh <lawrence.loh@alumni.uwo.ca>
Subject: Re: A momentous day???
Hello everyone,
This is great news from the EU. From another G8 country, good news as well!
Oddly enough, the fractious parliament in Canada made it very easy for the
Canadian government to agree to 0.7% (after years of nibbling about at
0.28-0.3%). In order to save his minority government and remain in a
coalition with one of the opposition parties, our Prime Minister recently
had budget C-48 passed here, which included the following stipulation:
- $500 million for foreign aid to bring Canada in line with promise of 0.7
per cent of GDP.
Read the whole story here
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/26/martin-layton050426.html
Greetings from Canada!
Lawrence
----- Original Message -----
From: "Claire.Procter" <Claire.Procter@newcastle.ac.uk>
To: <ifmsa-general@yahoogroups.com>; <ifmsa-nmos@yahoogroups.com>;
<whiteband@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:56 PM
Subject: [ifmsa-general] A momentous day???
Hi folks
Just thought I'd update you on what's been in the news in the UK today. I
thought it was a huge day in the whole of Europe until I saw that no other
country is including it in their news!
Today the EU made pledges regarding their aid budget. They plan to double
the
spending on aid and all 25 countries committed to reaching the 0.7% target
by
2015. This is great as long as they meet it!! Certain countries are
apparently
already saying they may not be able to do it - Germany and Portugal being
the
ones mentioned and we know what politicians are like for not sticking to
their
promises!
There is also a lot of talk today because the UK government's plans for the
G8
in Gleneagles regarding fair trade and poverty reduction are being blocked
by
the US. Other rich countries are also not joining Europe on this committment
to poverty. The US and Japan being the crucial ones they're talking about.
We are doing what we can here in the UK to work on Make Poverty History and
our government is listening but it needs other governments to work with us.
I
know a lot of you are doing great work taking on the white band campaign but
I
just wanted to encourage you and say how crucial a campaign it is. We need
you
to get involved and make your government work with the EU on this. The whole
world can help!
Also, if you want to come and get involved in the G8 rally in Edinburgh on
2nd
July it would be great to have you join us - please contact
president@medsin.org We have lots of plans for what Medsin will be doing but
it would be great to have internationals with us.
FOr more info check www.whiteband.org on how to get involved and the BBC
have
been talking about this lots so check their website for more details of
what's
been happening today.
Lets really take action on global health!
Claire xx
Claire Procter
President, Medsin-UK
Global Health through Local Action.
Address: 6 Roman Way, Wantage, OXON, OX12 9YF
Mob: +44 7788 906708
Tel/Fax: +44 1235 770993
Email: president@medsin.org
----------------------------------------------------------
www.ifmsa.org
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS
Privacy Statement: www.ifmsa.org/site/privacy.htm
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 23:04:37 +0200
From: Nathalie A. Rodríguez McCullough <nathalietf_aieme@yahoo.es>
Subject: ;-D Would you like to host EuRegMe III??? ;-D
Deadline for presenting candidatures to host EuRegMe III (during the last week of April – 1st week of May 2006) will be Monday, 25th July.
Hello All! ;-D
This is a call for candidates that would like to host EuRegMe III, the 3rd European Regional Meeting!!! According to what we came up with during the 1st EuRegMe, the dates should be the last week of April, 1st week of May 2006.
All candidatures should be sent on the IFMSA-Europe server. The deadline for submitting the candidatures will be Monday, 25th July, that is one week before the GA. The voting will be done during the Regional Meetings at the GA in Egypt (so that’s already one point on the agenda, isn’t it? ;-b)
The guidelines (that we came up with during EuRegMe I) you should follow for holding this meeting, are:
· Accommodation: sleeping bags and mattresses are ok. There shouldn’t be more than 6 people per room.
· At least 7 meeting rooms
· 1 computer per 30 participants and be able to plug in laptops
· Showers (in decent conditions)
· 7 flipcharts and one projector
· Food for vegetarians
· Transport from arrival points
· Visa information
· Participation fee: 50 € maximum
· 150 participants, 5 from each country in first round
· The OC should aim to support 1 person from each country coming for free.
If any of you have any doubts with anything, don’t hesitate to ask!
Looking forward to seeing lots of interested people! ;-D
All the best!
Nats ;->
Medical Students Worldwide
Nathalie A. Rodríguez McCullough
Regional Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia
IFMSA
Avda. Ramón y Cajal, 7
C.P. 47005 VALLADOLID
SPAIN
<mailto:rceurope@ifmsa.org> rceurope@ifmsa.org
<http://www.ifmsa.org> www.ifmsa.org
tel:
mobile:
+34 983 42 30 20
+34 696 913 714
<https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=8590571575&v0=1259002&k0=1691088354> Add me to your address book...
<http://www.plaxo.com/signature> Want a signature like this
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 23:50:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nkurunziza Ryarasa <josephnziza@yahoo.com>
Subject: Volunteer needed in Rwanda
Hope you are doing a great Work over there. I have the pleasure of inviting a volunteer to Rwanda this summer( July-August). The volunteer is need in terms of capacity building of our NMO (MED.SA-UNR). Our NMO is nine years old.
We would like to strengthen our NMO by puting more emphasis on students still in their lower years. The Volunteer should be well versed with ifmsa and have some knowledge in computer (ICT)where by he/she can be able to provide some training in accessing the ifmsa.net files for the various standing committees.
The Medical Students association at the National University of Rwanda (MED.SA) will provide full accomodation, meals, social hours during his or her stay in Rwanda.
We shall be very pleased for your support towards insittution building.
Any interested person can send hisor her the following details to medsa_president@yahoo.fr or josenziza@yahoo.fr
Name;
Sex;
Passport Number;
NMO:
University:
Country;
Arrival date;
Duration in Rwanda;
Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza
National University of Rwanda
Faculty of Medicine
P.O.Box 30 Butare -Rwanda -Africa
Tel:+250-08451287
Fax:+250-530328
email:josephnziza@yahoo.com
josephnr@doctor.com
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 26 May 2005 00:52:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lara El-Zahabi <president_lemsic@yahoo.com>
Subject: Offline
Dear All,
I am sorry i was not checking my emails in the last couple of days , i was out of town, i have my finals this week i wont be able to reply to your emails until the 7th of June. If you need anything urget please sms me to my phone.
Huggs anfd Kisses
L
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lara M.N. El-Zahabi
President
Lebanese Medical Students' International Committee-LeMSIC
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations-IFMSA
American University of Beirut - Medical Center
P.O.BOX: 11-0236/E20
Mobile: +961 3 702635
Fax: +961 1 805152
Email: president@lemsic.org
Beirut - Lebanon
---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new Resources site!
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 17:54:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Joseph A. Afriye" <joculx@yahoo.com>
Subject: WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES: ADOPTS KEY RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES: ADOPTS KEY RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Geneva - The World Health Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), wrapped-up its fifty-eighth session today. More than 2200 people from WHO's 192 Member States, nongovernmental organizations and other observers attended the meeting which took place between 16-25 May.
Ms Elena Salgado, the Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs of Spain was elected as the President of this Assembly. WHO Director-General Dr LEE Jong-wook encouraged delegates to determine the best ways to bring available health solutions to everyone who needs them. Invited speakers included the President of the Republic of Maldives His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who spoke of the recent devastation caused by the tsunami and the continuing efforts to reconstruct homes, communities and lives. Bill Gates, the Co-Founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also addressed the Assembly on its first day, underlining his hope for the future, which he said rests on the "astonishing miracles" of science and technology. Ms Ann Veneman, the Executive Director of UNICEF stressed the importance of child survival in a world where almost 11 million children die before their fifth birthday. A quartet from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra spoke with music, and played in the opening ceremony
before being appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador.
Highlights of the Assembly included the adoption of the revised International Health Regulations (1), which govern national and international response to disease outbreaks, the approval of the Proposed Programme Budget for 2006-2007, which includes a 4% increase in the Regular Budget and the establishment of World Blood Donor Day (2) as an official annual event to be celebrated every 14 June.
This news release summarizes decisions taken at the 58th World Health Assembly. Please note that full texts of all documents including resolutions are available at http://www.who.int/gb/.
The Assembly reviewed progress made so far in polio eradication and identified what needs to be done to interrupt the final chains of wild-type poliovirus transmission worldwide by the end of this year. The Assembly also noted the progress made in scaling-up treatment and care within a coordinated and comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS and discussed smallpox vaccine reserves and research on the smallpox virus (3).
Recognizing that too many people suffer and die in crises and disasters as a result of untreated and often preventable health problems, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on health action in crises and disasters, with particular emphasis on the earthquakes and tsunamis of 26 December 2004. The resolution calls on WHO to provide early warning of disease outbreaks, improve access to clean water and sanitation, and increase the availability of health care for people's physical and mental health. It also urges Member States to formulate disaster preparedness plans and pay more attention to gender-based violence as an increasing concern during crises.
The Assembly also underlined the importance of influenza pandemic preparedness and response by adopting a resolution calling on all Member States to develop and implement national plans for pandemic-influenza preparedness and response that focus on limiting the health impact and economic and social disruption. The resolution also calls on the WHO Director-General to seek a solution to the current global shortage of influenza vaccines. In a related resolution, Member States noted that the containment of microbiological agents and toxins in laboratories is critical to preventing outbreaks of diseases such as SARS, and adopted a resolution to enhance laboratory safety.
To address the more than one million preventable deaths caused by malaria each year, the Assembly adopted a resolution calling for stepped up efforts to fight the disease. It calls on WHO to intensify its collaboration with Member States to reach internationally agreed malaria control goals, including the possibility of WHO undertaking bulk purchases of insecticide-treated nets and antimalarial medicines. The Assembly also addressed the increasing number of cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and worsening morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive tuberculosis patients, by adopting a resolution on sustaining financing for tuberculosis prevention and control. The resolution calls on Member States to set up collaboration between TB and HIV programmes and to integrate the prevention and control of TB in the mainstream of their health development plans.
The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution welcoming an ambitious new Global Immunization Vision and Strategy, which provides a framework for planning and implementing national immunization programmes during 2006-2015. The aims included in the Strategy are to achieve greater vaccination coverage and equity in access to immunization, and to include other interventions, including insecticide-treated nets and vitamin A supplements when people are immunized.
In response to the rising levels of cancer worldwide, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to promote cancer prevention and control (4) strategies for all Member States. While many countries have or are developing cancer control programmes there remains a significant gap between existing knowledge and current practices, especially in many developing countries. The resolution calls for improved cancer prevention measures, better early detection and treatment, and increased palliative care. WHO will develop a cancer prevention and control strategy which will help countries address this growing health crisis, and represents an important new initiative for WHO.
The Assembly adopted a resolution on "Accelerating the achievement of the internationally-agreed health-related goals including those contained in the Millennium Declaration", urging developed countries to make efforts to scale-up official development aid to 0.7% of gross national product and African countries to fulfil their commitment made at the African Summit in Abuja in 2001 to allocate 15% of their national budgets to health. The resolution also identified specific issues for immediate action: the crisis in human resources for health and ensuring better health of the poorest people in countries, particularly those emerging from conflict and crisis. In a separate resolution, the Assembly stressed the importance of promoting the health of women, newborns and children, in meeting the development goals contained in the Millennium Declaration. The resolution urges Member States to commit resources and to accelerate national action towards universal access and coverage with maternal,
newborn and child health interventions, through reproductive health care.
Infant and young child nutrition was also discussed, and the Assembly adopted a resolution calling on Member States to continue to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life as a global public health recommendation. Member States are also urged to inform health care workers, parents and other caregivers on the best practices for preparation, use and handling of powdered infant formula in order to minimize health hazards and that powdered infant formula may contain pathogenic microorganisms and must be prepared and used appropriately.
The Assembly also addressed the issue of international migration of health personnel, particularly highly trained and skilled health personnel moving from developing to developed countries. A resolution was adopted, requesting the WHO Director-General to strengthen WHO's programme on human resources for health. The issue of development of human resources for health will be the theme of the 2006 World Health Report and World Health Day 2006. It will also be a key area of work in WHO�s General Programme of Work 2006-2015.
More than 1000 million people will be over 60 years old by 2025, the vast majority in the developing world, and this figure is expected to double by 2050. The World Health Assembly reviewed the progress made regarding implementation of WHO's policy framework on ageing and also adopted a resolution on strengthening and promoting active and healthy ageing. The resolution calls on the newly formed Commission on Social Determinants of Health to consider issues related to active and healthy ageing among its policy recommendations. The Assembly also approved a resolution on disability aimed at substantially improve the lives of some 600 million people living with disabilities. The resolution calls upon Member States to promote the rights and dignity of people with disabilities; support community-based rehabilitation; and include a disability component in national health policies and programmes. WHO will support Member States in these efforts and will collect more reliable data on all
relevant aspects of disability as well as support research on the most effective responses.
The World Health Assembly has taken note that iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a leading cause of brain damage in childhood, and is calling for renewed efforts to eradicate the problem in the Member States with a high incidence of iodine deficiency. A lack of iodine intake during pregnancy and early childhood results in impaired cognitive and motor development in young children. WHO estimates 2 billion people are at risk of becoming iodine deficient. The solution to IDD is simple and cost-effective as iodine can easily be added to table salt. A resolution has been accepted which urges a renewed cooperative effort to eliminate IDD.
Recognizing the increasing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, the Assembly adopted a resolution to improve its containment, particularly through the rational use of medicines. Resistance is increasing faster than the development of new drugs and current effective medicines for infections cannot keep pace. The resolution calls on Member States to develop a coherent, comprehensive and integrated approach to contain resistance, to encourage the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, and monitor the use of these agents and the level of resistance occurring. It also urges WHO to strengthen its leadership role in containing resistance, to establish surveillance and patient education systems, and to collaborate with relevant programmes and partners to promote the rational use of medicines.
The Assembly has adopted a resolution calling on WHO to examine public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol. Changing global drinking patterns, rising rates of consumption, and drinking to excess particularly among young people are some of the factors which contribute to the harmful use of alcohol becoming one of the leading risks to health. It now results in 4% of the global burden of disease as a causal factor in more than 60 diseases, including cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, road traffic injuries and death, and high-risk behaviours. In consultation with a range of stakeholders, WHO will conduct assessments of these public health problems and develop effective policies, strategies and interventions to assist Member States to address and reduce them.
The World Health Assembly expressed concern at the deterioration of the economic and health conditions as well as the humanitarian crises resulting in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Assembly adopted a resolution on this subject.
Noting that health-financing systems in many countries need to be further developed in order to guarantee access to necessary services while providing protection against financial risk, the Assembly adopted a resolution on sustainable health financing and universal coverage and social health insurance and urged the Director-General to provide support to Member States to evaluate the impact of changes in health-financing systems on health services as they move towards universal coverage.
Noting the potential impact of advances in information and communication technologies, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution encouraging more work on eHealth. eHealth is the cost-effective and secure use of information and communication technologies in support of health and health-related fields, including health-care services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education. The resolution urges Member States to endeavour to reach communities, including vulnerable groups, with eHealth services, and requests the WHO Director-General to continue the expansion of mechanisms such as the Health Academy, which promote health awareness and healthy lifestyles through eLearning.
Recognizing that high-quality research, and the generation and application of knowledge are critical for improving the performance of health systems and attaining equity in health, the Assembly adopted a resolution acknowledging the Mexico Statement on Health research resulting from the Ministerial Summit on Health Research.
The Assembly also discussed the United Nations reform process and WHO's role in harmonization of operational development activities at country level and agreed on a resolution calling on the WHO Director-General to ensure that WHO continues to implement country-level activities in accordance with Member States' priorities, and to coordinate the activities of WHO with those of other organizations of the UN system and with relevant actors working to improve health outcomes.
The President of the World Health Assembly was Ms Elena Salgado of Spain. There were five Vice-Presidents: Mr Saley Key of Eritrea, Dr M. Fikri of the United Arab Emirates, Dr Annette King of New Zealand, Professor Suchai Charoenratanakul of Thailand and Dr Miguel Fern�ndez Galeano of Uruguay. The Chairman of Committee A was Dr Bijan Sadrizadeh of Iran and the Chairman of Committee B was Dr Jerome Walcott of Barbados.
Joseph Ayew Afriye
(Bsc.MedSc.MBChB)
Liason Officer to the World Health Organisation(WHO)
International Federation of Medical Students' Association(IFMSA)
C:+233 244 780359
Email:lwho@ifmsa.org
IFMSA General Secretariate
c/o:World Medical Association BP63,
01212 Ferney-Voltaire
Cedex,France
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 18:37:23 -0500
From: Lawrence Loh <lawrence.loh@alumni.uwo.ca>
Subject: Second Biannual Cultural Show!
Hello everybody!
Hot on the heels of the success of the first-ever cultural show in Turkey, the EB and Officers would like to announce the Second Annual Cultural Show to be held in Egypt at AM 2005!
If your country is interested in putting together a wonderful act like we had in Turkey, please e-mail me!
Repeat performances are welcome but countries will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis, and preference will be given to countries that did not perform at the last cultural show!
Many thanks,
Lawrence and Nora
Co-cultural Show Coordinators AM 2005
--------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence C. Loh
Regional Co-ordinator 2004-2005
(N., S. and C. America and the Caribbean)
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)
Tel: +1 (519) 495-6288
SMS/Text: +1 (519) 991-8179
E-mail: lawrence.loh@alumni.uwo.ca
rcamerica@ifmsa.org
Schulich School of Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario
London, ON N6A 5C1
CANADA
Visit us at www.fmd.uwo.ca
IFMSA General Secretariat
(c/o World Medical Association)
Boîte Postale 63
01212 Ferney-Voltaire CEDEX,
FRANCE
Visit us at www.ifmsa.org
----------------------------------------------------
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------
www.ifmsa.org
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS� ASSOCIATIONS
Privacy Statement: www.ifmsa.org/site/privacy.htm
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ifmsa-general/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ifmsa-general-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on 1,768 reviews. 
