IFMSA-NL discusses the Millennium Development Goals with West-African Medical students and the WHO

Dana Yumani and Nathan Fidder

 

In the year 2000 the United Nations (UN) set ambitious goals to be reached by 2015: the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This was a commitment to relieve the world from extreme poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease. The UN also set targets to establish gender equality and empowerment of women, environmental sustainability and a global partnership for development. These objectives should have a major impact on our lives, especially on those of people living in developing countries. During the annual meeting of the REMAO (Réseau des Etudiants en Médecine de l’Afrique de l’Ouest), five members of the Dutch delegation of IFMSA-NL (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – The Netherlands) got the chance to interview five West-African medical students and dr. Zombre and dr. Kielem, two delegates for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Burkina Faso about the MDGs.

 

Although only two of the five students were familiar with the MDGs, all the students seemed to be involved in attaining the targets. Keita, for example, teaches voluntarily at secondary schools and Richard works for a vaccination programme. Christian has consciously been working on the objectives by making posters and organizing events to create awareness about the environment.

 

Despite the cultural barriers, he also tries to discuss issues as female genital mutilation (FGM). Abdalah had a totally different approach to this theme. He created a dance in which he represented an excised girl, after his performance the spectators started a discussion about the risks and traditions of FGM.

The WHO, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local governments have been working hard to achieve the targets by 2015. We were wondering if students in West Africa actually noticed their initiatives on the local level. They have noticed, there are campaigns to improve maternal health, to achieve free primary education and to combat HIV/AIDS. Christian also mentions that the government in his country is trying to educate people by airing television programmes on protecting the environment and campaigns to improve people’s knowledge about their surroundings. The students are quite critical about these initiatives. Even though primary education is free of charge, it does not ensure many children to go to school. For example, in northern Cameroon, children have to stay at home to work on the land or do chores.

Richard: Free meals would motivate parents to keep their kids in school, especially in time of harvesting. Christian thinks that the government’s credibility plays a role. Some people are convinced that the government is only taking action to increase their chance on reelection. Keita adds to that: This is Africa - there are a lot of false promises.

The students are not sure the MDGs will be reached by 2015. The proportion of people in Sub-Saharan Africa living on less than $1.25 a day has dropped from 58% to 51% between 1999 and 2005. Halving the proportion of this group by 2015 therefore seems rather unlikely. Furthermore, access to healthcare is limited due to financial obstacles. Because the costs of a medical consultation are too high, most Africans visit a doctor if the disease is already in an advanced stage. Combating major diseases therefore brings on a heavy task. All students agree that the key to achieve the MDGs is sensitisation and education of the entire population, from school children to the elderly.

 

Dr. Zombre and dr. Kielem inform us that a lack of resources in Sub-Saharan Africa makes it difficult to properly register the MDG-indicators. Estimations are mostly made by extrapolation; therefore the course cannot be monitored precisely. From the information available it is unlikely that all the goals will be attained in time. The incidence of malaria should have declined with 50% by 2010 compared to 2000, yet in Burkina Faso cases increase continually. The reduction in child mortality is not likely to be achieved either, although the reduction in maternal mortality is reaching the adjusted goal. Most objectives are aimed at the developing world, but the MDGs are committed by all UN member countries. Which role should developed countries play in achieving the goals? Richard and Keita think that investments in human resources are most important. If the developed countries want to invest in Africa, they should invest in people who know how to use their funds properly. The WHO delegates agree on that. However, they believe it is necessary to transfer technological skills as well. For example, mosquito nets are now being impregnated abroad and have to be imported into Burkina Faso subsequently. In 2010 the country will need up to seven million nets; it would be a lot more cost effective if they could be impregnated locally. Abdalah considers a good cooperation with the developed countries crucial to development. However, remember the African saying: the owner of the house knows best where the roof leaks. Christian adds that people are thinking that they live today and that it doesn’t matter what happens afterwards. Africans must wake up and take their own responsibility.

 

About the authors

Dana Yumani and Nathan Fidder are fourth year medical students from Amsterdam and Utrecht, respectively.

Further reading

• http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals

 

References

1. The Millennium Development Goals report 2009