Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
What is important to you?
Climate Change
Poverty
Oil Fields – Iraq 1991
90% of war casualties are civilians
“Landmines have been called 'the perfect soldier' - they never sleep and they never miss.”
Nuclear Weapon StatesNuclear Weapon States
USA
Russia
France
China
Britain
10,300
20,000
510
550
265
Israel
India
Pakistan
200
100 to 150
25 to 50
In Hamilton, a single mother with a 7yr old daughter will receive a maximum of $957/month from social
assistance.
Calculated cost of food = 218, Rent = 696
Amount left over = $43/month
REFUGEES
HIV/AIDS
950,000 people are HIV+
500,000 have access to HIV drugs
North America
28.5 million people are HIV+
30,000 have access to HIV drugs
Africa
MEDICINE SHOULDN’T BE A LUXURY
8000 People will die of AIDS today becausetreatment is not cost effective
As Medical Students and Future Physicians……
We are in a unique position to:
• Speak out and be heard
• Raise awareness
• Build community
• Access resources
Physicians Reaching Out
“Numerous physicians have taken it upon themselves to fulfill their roles as medical professionals committed to speaking on behalf of those whose voices cannot be heard”
Dr. Samantha Nutt Dr. James Orbinski
Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford Dr. Erik Hoskins
Dr. Joanna Santa-Barbara
Physicians are in one of the most trusted positionsin society. Therefore it is important to have moral
character to meet this expectation.
“We found a significant decrease in the moral development of medical students over 3 years of
medical education” - CMAJ, April 1, 2003;168 (7)
How can medical students facilitate this development?
Strengthening our Ethical Development
Physicians for Global Survival
• PGS is the Canadian affiliate of International
Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW);
• Over 60 active affiliates around the world;
• Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 for its work
to educate health professionals, political leaders
and the public.
• Out of concern for global health, PGS is committed
to working towards the following:
• PGS provides opportunities for medical students and physicians to incorporate these issues into their career development.
Social Justice
Environmental Sustainability
Prevention of nuclear war
Non-violent conflict resolution
Physicians for Global Survival
What can students do in PGS?
• Learn about issues not emphasized in the medical curriculum;
• Share local and international personal experiences;
• Actively raise awareness;
• Build a community with people interested in similar issues.
What Are We Doing?
• High school Presentations• Discussion Series on health and poverty,
environment, and peace • Reading Electives• Peace and Health Conferences• Open letter from concerned medical students on Iraq • Medical Student Conferences • Music for Peace Concert
Why are we here today?
• Share ideas about how we, as medical students, can incorporate these issues into our training and career development
• Build a community of concerned physicians across Canada
The balance we achieve throughout medical school, reflects the balance we will have in the future.
“ Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul” E. Abby
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world…indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” –M. Mead
Making your passions part of your life work