Hobart becomes centre for global health as medical students learn how to make a difference
30 June 2010
Over 430 medical students from around Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific region will converge on Hobart for The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) sixth annual Global Health Conference will occur from 1 July to 4 July 2010.
Eminent figures in global health such as The Reverend Tim Costello, one of Australia’s most well-known advocates on global social justice, health and development issues, will join other speakers in discussing the pertinent issues in contemporary global health.
The AMSA Global Health Conference Co-Convenor, Alexandra Frain said that the conference will ensure the attending future doctors come away armed with the skills, knowledge and motivation to implement change for the better in the global community.
One of the focus areas of the AMSA Global Health Conference is child and maternal health.
“Child and maternal health are high profile issues within the Millennium Development Goals and while recent statistics show moves in a very positive direction, we must maintain our momentum in getting proven and cost-effective solutions to those most in need.
“The World Health Organisation estimates that every minute at least one woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. The vast majority of these deaths occur in the developing world and are easily preventable. Delegates at the AMSA Global Health Conference will be assembling birthing kits with items such as gloves, gauze and sterile scalpel blades, bound for women giving birth in these developing countries.
“We will also be discussing climate change, indigenous health, the millennium development goals, human rights and many more topics,” she said.
Other notable speakers include Senator Bob Brown, Parliamentary Leader of the Greens; Dr Helen Caldicott, passionate anti-nuclear campaigner; Associate ProfessorNgiare Brown Aboriginal child health and international Indigenous Affairs expert and many more.
