As part of the series of curricular and extra-curricular activities that the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) – An-Najah University’s Branch, the Federation has accomplished a number of projects over the last month including the Teddy Bear Hospital project which was implemented in cooperation with the Al-Ruwwad Schools.

The Project aimed to overcome the barriers that exist between doctors and children, as well as reinforcing mutual trust and enhancing the physicians’ skills in dealing with children. As part of the Project a delegation from the IFMSA visited Al-Ruwwad School where they conducted a number of activities with the first grade students. The activities were assigned to 5 different groups in the first of which the students received simple information about dealing with emergency situations. In the second and third groups the students conducted simple medical activities that included bandaging wounds, measuring temperatures, and listening to heartbeats. In the fourth group the height and weight of every student was measured and written down. In the fifth group face painting was carried out. At the end of the project certificates of appreciation and gifts were given to the children.

Other projects and activities included the Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop in which more than 150 students from the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing. During the project a documentary about breast cancer was screened to the participants to raise their awareness regarding the nature of this disease, diagnosis and detection. The documentary also presented a number of real-life experiences along with statistics on this disease in Palestine and the world.

Hadi Rabee’ and Bilal Abu Samha delivered a lecture about the anatomical structure of the breast along with explaining other related concepts. Dr. Rami Zagha, Instructor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Assistant Dean for Basic Biomedical Sciences Phase, delivered a lecture about breast cancer, prevention methods, self and early examination, treatment methods and recovery.

Another project was the Happy Kids Day project which was organized by the IFMSA in cooperation with the Women Union in Nablus. The project aimed to bring happiness and entertainment to children in Palestine; a group of students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at An-Najah conducted a field visit to the kindergarten which is run by the Women Union. During their visit to the kindergarten the students implemented a number of entertainment activities and games which the children joined.

The International Federation has got all of its administrative systems turned into electronic ones including the registration and evaluation programs of the Student Exchange Program at the Federation thanks to the great efforts made by the IFMSA’s Vice President, Razan Abu Khaizuran, and the IFMSA’s Secretary, Haneen Rabee’.

Dr. Waleed Basha, IFMSA’s Coordinator and Head of the Immunology and Microbiology Department at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said he was impressed by the level of advancement that the IFMSA has achieved and hoped it would continue to make further success.

The IFMSA and its members thanked Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah, Professor Anwar Dudin, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr. Khalil Isa, Head of the Department of Medicine, and Dr. Rami Al-Zagha for their continuous support of Federation and its projects.