Global Medicine is brought to you by the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations - The Netherlands. (IFMSA-NL)

As each country has its own culture, language and climate, each country  also  suffers  from  its  own specific health problems. Global health is the collective term for the health situation all over the world. IFMSA's mission is to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global health issues. With this we hope to develop culturally sensitive students of medicine and intent on influencing the transnational inequalities that shape the health of our planet. This magazine, produced especially for medical students, will hopefully contribute to achieving  this mission. We hope you will enjoy reading it!

 

IFMSA-NL is an organization for Dutch medical students, situated at each of the eight medical faculties. Around 150 enthusiastic future doctors work together, pursuing one collective goal. IFMSA-NL activities are organized by medical  students, for medical students and the community. Many activities are planned, designed, and carried out each year on local, national and international level.

Experiences

Besides being the Dutch member organization of the worldwide federation called IFMSA, IFMSA- NL also belongs to the European Medical Students' Association (EMSA), which was founded in 1991. EMSA is a European network of medical students for communication and exchange of experiences and focuses mainly on the topics Medical Education, Medical Research and Medical Ethics.

Important

IFMSA-NL organizes projects and exchange programs, as well as workshops and seminars, in the fields of public health, medical education, reproductive health and propagation of a culture of peace, meaning to educate medical students about the most important health care issues nowadays. The  results are very concrete and tangible, and both participants and organizers learn that they are not merely powerless subjects in a rapidly internationalizing world, but that they are valuable individuals with a contribution to make to the well being of the people worldwide.

Student exchanges are an important focus of the Association. Every year IFMSA-NL enables around 100 Dutch medical students to experience the practice of medicine in a different culture, within the different schemes of exchange. (Clinical, Research or Public Health) And each year around 100 students from all over the world come to The Netherlands, where a clerkship, boarding and social program is awaiting them.

Supportive

By involvement in Public Health activities, students seek to contribute to the health of the people of the world, both through health education and by directly supportive projects in areas of need. Projects in the field of Refugees and Peace aim to relieve and prevent the medical repercussions of war by advocating disarmament, promoting tolerance, and enhancing the building of peace after a conflict. One example is the buddy project, which enables Medical students to team up with a young refugee, creating awareness, understanding and friendship.

Awareness

Another major focus in IFMSA is Reproductive Health, with the goal of increasing the awareness of  the  problems  related to AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, both among medical students and the population at large, through workshops and public educational programs, for example at secondary schools.IFMSA has a lot to offer you as a medical student. If you are interested in either becoming an active member or participating in a project or exchange program, check out our website at www.ifmsa.nl or contact the local committee at your faculty.

Think Globally, Act Locally!

www.ifmsa.nl