The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), founded in 1951, is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organizations. It represents, connects and engages every day with an inspiring and engaging network of 1.3 million medical students from 123 countries around the globe. Palestinian Medical Students’ Association (PMSA) is the National Member Organization representing Palestine within IFMSA. PMSA holds a multitude of activities including training, exchanges, awareness campaigns and many rights-related activities to train future leaders of the healthcare system to further improve Palestinians’ health. Democratic elections are held annually to preserve the students’ rights in choosing their representatives and assuring sustainable development within the organization.
An-Najah National University hosts a Local Committee (LC) of PMSA-Palestine named PMSA-Nablus. The structure of this LC is based on 16 positions divided into the Executive Board, Standing Committees and Supporting Divisions
The general tasks of these positions are as follows:
Position
| Role |
President | Coordinates the activities of the team of officials, calls meetings and monitors the execution of development plans. |
Secretary-general | Responsible of the archives, meeting minutes, scoring system and availability and continuity of the Constitution and Bylaws. |
Vice president of internal affairs | Forms the internal system of communication within the team of officials and addresses all related issues in a professional manner in addition to capacity-building efforts. |
Vice president of external affairs | Represents the organization within Palestine to various corporations and sign professional contracts and partnerships. |
Treasurer | Responsible for all financial administration, fundraising and assets control. |
Standing Committees
| Position | Role
|
| Standing Committee on Medical Education (SCOME) | It provides students with the opportunity to contribute to advancing the medical curriculum and education and trains students on advocacy. |
| Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE) | Provides students with the opportunity to promote cultural understanding and co-operation amongst medical students and all health professionals, through the facilitation of international clerkship student exchanges. |
| Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE) | Provides students with the opportunity to experience research and diversity in countries all over the world to develop both culturally sensitive students and skilled researchers intent on shaping the world of science |
Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) | It provides students with the opportunity to be in contact with the community, so as to learn about its needs and requirements, discuss them in projects to convey them to the health system. |
Standing Committee on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV & AIDS (SCORA) | It provides students with the opportunity to participate in projects that aim to raise awareness about reproductive health and AIDS among people in the community and promote sexual rights and equity away from stigma or discrimination. |
| Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (SCORP) | Provides students with the opportunity to participate in activities that promote and empower human rights among the nation through advocacy, awareness-raising and capacity building. |
Supporting Divisions
Position
| Role |
| Publication Director | Edit Facebook and pther social media posts and promoting all publication in addition to design and photography skills. |
| Training Director | Capacity building efforts including coordinating training within different areas of focus according to IFMSA. |
| Projects Director | Coordinating with standing Committees’ officers and student selection for activities in addition to providing logistical support. |
| Social Director | Contacting media outlets, centers, companies and other agencies for IFMSA-related work along with social promotion of PMSA between medical students. |
| Database and Technology Director | Creating Google forms or any other methods of registration for IFMSA Nablus activities and helping Secretary General in archives and scoring systems. |
Provided are pictures of select activities including awarenss campaigns, trainings and exchanges:
Picture.1: NorPal Sawa, an exchange program hosting 10 Norwegian medical students in Nablus, rotating between hospitals and hosting a summer camp for children in Balata Refugee Camp.
Picture.2: Participating students in IFMSA trainings held in Turkey.
Picture.3: An educational tour of Najah National University Hospital for 1st- and 2nd-year students.
Picture.4: Training held my SCORE (Research Exchange Committee) to enhance students understanding of basic lab skills.
Picture.5: Introductory fair on PMSA-Nablus, its organization and activities.
Picture.6: “It is my right to know my right” fair to increase awareness on International day of Disables Persons, Declaration of Human Rights and Social-Based Violence.
