PAMSA Regional Meeting Panama City, Panama

SCOPH Session
Regional Assistant: Knakita
 Objectives
1. To learn more about the activities of SCOPH in the Americas
2. To gain further knowledge on the following topics
– Vaccination Week in the Americas
– Mental Health Initiative Project
– SCOPH Exchanges
1. To develop greater insight into the small working group topics
and to come up with practical project ideas
2. To learn management skills related to having a successful
SCOPH and in project management
3. To form networks with other NPOs so as to increase the
sharing of information and resources!
 Agenda
• Welcome and Introduction
• NMO and RA report
• How to set up and develop SCOPH in your NMO
• Small working group meetings
• Small working group presentations
• Group photo shoot!
Background

 ACEM is 2 years old, though just in

november 2008 we were registered
with legal rights and obligations.
 SCOPH is one year old!  Baby
SCOPH!!
Location + numbers…

Our NMO has only one

member University, thus,
only one local committee!
The amount of SCOPHians
is uncertain… Everyone
does everything around
here!
Universidad de Costa
Rica We are about 250
members and around 30
You are SCOPHians 
here!
Future Projects

 World Days:
 World Health Day! April 7th
 World No Tobbaco Day! May 31st
 World Enrironment Day! June 5th
 World Day of Older Persons! October
1st
 We would also like to start working on
ISNAH! :)
 World Food Day! October 16th
 We are planning a huge activity
targeting different aspects: right to have
good food, eating disorders and an
iniciative of 5 fruits a day. There is going
to be various stands with information,
medical consultation and FRUITS! There
is also going to be a fund raising in order
to help a children’s “soup kitchen”.
Past Projects
Tobacco Initiative
• World No Tobbacco Day
• Smoke Free areas in our campus
• Strong partnership with RENATA
(National Network Against
Tobacco)
Teddy Bear Hospital
Assistance in Free Clinics: ISL
 We assist International Service Learning’s
free clinics. It is a project from the USA, they
come to CR with medical or nursing students
to attend underserved population. We assist
with translation and other logistics.
World Diabetes Day
 On 2008, we gave this day an educational
approach. 2009, will be a more “hand’s on”
activities!
World No Tobbaco
Day!
Teddy Bear
Hospital
 National Public Health
Officer + Assistant
 NPO
 María Beeche
 mariaferbeeche@yahoo.com

 NPO Assistant
 Cristina Meza
 cmeza11@hotmail.com

We are soooo sorry we couldn’t

make it being soooo close to
Panama….!!!
Any questions or comments
contact us!
PAMSA Regional Meeting Panama City, Panama

SCOPH RA Report
Regional Assistant: Knakita
Plans and
Action
SCOPH Development
 Plan
To determine the status of each NMO SCOPH within the region.
This would be done through a status report form which
would be sent out to each NMO. The purpose of this is to
identify which NMOs actually have SCOPHs, to determine
how active these SCOPHs are, and to do problems/needs
assessment. This will enable us to identify our areas of
difficulties and strengths, which groups need help, and which
groups are doing well and are more able to offer support to
other NMOs.
 Action
• PAMSA has 22 NMOs
– Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia (x2), Peru (x2), Brasil (x2),
Jamaica, Chile, El Salvador, Panama, Bolivia, USA, Canada
(x2), Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela,
Trinidad and Tobago

• PAMSA has 17 SCOPH groups

– Brazil (IFLMSA), Costa Rica, Colombia (x2), Peru
(x2), Jamaica, Chile, El Salvador, Panama, Bolivia,
USA, Canada (x2), Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela
 Action
• I was in contact with 13 NPOs Prior to the regional
meeting
– Brazil (IFLMSA), Brasil DENIM (hopefully to start a new group), Costa Rica,
Colombia (ASCEMCOL), IFMSA Peru, Jamaica, Chile, El Salvador, Panama,
USA, Canada-Quebec, Mexico, Venezuela
– Regular contact through emails and msn messenger to keep track of
SCOPH activities, give advice when needed, and to source informational
resources from the SCOPH international team
• At this meeting contact was made with 3 more
– Bolivia, Peru - APEM, Columbia – ACOME
 Action
• The status report was sent out
however only 7 NPOs sent in reports

 Plan
• To form a group page which would
provide a medium whereby SCOPH
members from all over the region will
be able to communicate with each
other and share project ideas, group
concerns, fundraising ideas, and
publications.
 Action
Before it was
ifmsascophamericas@yahoogroups.com

Now it is

ifmsa-scoph-pamsa@yahoogroups.co
 Plan
• To provide resource packages for
SCOPHs which would include
information on international SCOPH
campaigns, project management and
committee development information,
marketing strategies, fundraising
ideas, and promotional publication
templates.
 Action
• Information and documents given to NPOs
during contact based on expressed needs
• Resource documents and links on some
projects posted on the yahoogroup
• Resource package initially was to be given
out at the regional meeting…
• However SCOPH International will be doing
a similar package for the general assembly
Project Development
 Plan
• To encourage SCOPHs to adopt at
least one international campaign.
• To encourage NMOs to come up with
national campaigns/projects which
address issues particular to their
societies.
 Action
• Based on the reports received and dialogue with
NPOs, most SCOPHs participate in at least 1 SCOPH
international project and all have unique projects
developed based on the specific needs of their
societies
• New SCOPHs were encourage to choose projects
based on their local health situation. However many of
our health issues are the same as all over the world
and so they were also encouraged to participate in
international campaigns
• Project support was promoted for the World Mental
Health Day and World Diabetes Day
 Plan
• To have a regional project which
would be chosen by the NMOs, and
which each would be expected to
support.
 Action
• To be discussed at the regional
meeting
• Steps already taken to start dialogue
on projects unique to our region
– Eg. Projects in SCOPH exchanges and
vaccination week in the Americas
• Project could be based on any health
theme or world health day
 Plan
• To encourage student exchange
(through SCOPH’s exchange
program) so as to get groups to
share in large projects and for
members to gain cultural exposure.
 Action
• Presentation done in SCOPH session
at the regional meeting
• Small working group during the
meeting formed to discuss formation
of a SCOPH exchanges project in
PAMSA
Reporting
 Plan
• Each SCOPH would be asked to
submit regular reports so as to
assess the progress of each group
and to formulate a report on the
overall activity of the region which
will be submitted to the SCOPH-D
and the regional coordinator.
 Action

Still awaiting status reports from
NPOs!

Regular monthly reports dependent on

consensus of group at the meeting
Further Plans
 Plans
• Maintain contact with NPOs and strengthen relationships
amongst NPOs
• Establish contact between NPOs
• Source more resources for NPOs to use in projects.
• Work with the SCOPH-D and Liaison Officer to establish
contacts with externals so as to gain more resources for
NPOs
• To do more PAMSA promotion for certain health days
• To be more active on the PAMSA and SCOPH server to
raise awareness of SCOPH Americas activities
• What else?
Business meeting with the
NPOs
How to start SCOPH
in your NMO
 How to set up SCOPH in your
NMO
1. Appoint an NPO and LPOs.
2. Make a plan of action
3. Inform your NMO, your faculty, and university
about your new group and your plans
4. Recruit members
5. Start projects
 The NPO and LPO
• NPO = National Public Health Officer
• LPO = Local Public Health Officer

• The backbones to SCOPH in your NMO

• They must be accessible, approachable,
reliable, and responsible
 Plan of Action
• Important to decide what you want to do
during your tenure.
• What is your vision for SCOPH and its
impact in your community
Make your Presence Known!
• It is important to let people know your
group exists and what your plans are and
what you have done in the past
• The Students (your NMO)
• The Faculty
• The University
 Recruit Members
• The body of SCOPH! El mas inportante!
• To get people it is important to make them
interested in your group
• For SCOPH this is easy!
 Recruit Members
• Many different means of doing this:
– Introduce your group at the Local Meeting
– Promote within your LMO with
announcements, invitations to meetings,
invitations to participate in projects, posters,
flyers, and stickers to promote the group
– Your work!
 Start Projects
• Once you have a work force (even if its
just you and a few) its time to start
working!
• Ensure projects are well planned and
executed
Advice From Some
Veterans
Project Planning
 What are the needs?
• Projects must be chosen based on
whether they are important or not
• Is the issue relevant to the populations
being targeted?
• Do a needs assessment to determine this
 Set Goals
• The project must be well defined
• What do you want the project to achieve,
both short and long term
• Goals represent the ideals of the project
 Plan of Action
• Define target population
• Define the mens of delivery. Must be based
on the target group
 Plan of Action
• Resources:
– Equipment
– Financial
– Time
– Human resources
• Define organisation of workers & responsibility!!
 Detailed Project Plan
• Outline exactly how you will carry out the
project
• Delegate delegate delegate!
• Ensure that roles are well defined to avoid
confusion and omission
 Externals
• Establish Contacts with other groups:
NGOs, Ministry of Health, individuals etc
with particular interest in your project
 Fundraising
• How will the project be funded?
 Promotion
• Promote the project in your NMO, the
University and the community
• Many ways of doing this:
– Flyers
– Posters
– Stickers
– Announcements
– etc
 Have the Project!
• Motivate members and make sure
that everything is on track
• Delegate delegate delegate!
• Follow the plan but be open to
changes when necessary
 Evaluate the Project
• Were the objectives met?
• What difficulties were faced and how can
you overcome them?
• How can you improve the project?
• How can you get more people involved in
the project?
 Sustainability
• Monitor the effectiveness and
progress of the project
• Monitor the use of resources
• Always look for ways to improve
• Report
 Reporting
• It is important to record what you have
done and share it with others. Report
everything that was planned, any
challenges and recommendations
• This will help garner more awareness
to your group and more support for the
project
Writing a Project Proposal
Small Working
Groups
 PAMSA REGIONAL MEETING 2009, PANAMÁ

Mariana Freitas (IFLMS – Brazil)

Christian Becker (APEMH – Peru)
SCOPH EXCHANGE Max Velasco Zaragoza (IFMSA - El Salvador)
Cristiane Martin (IFMSA Panamá)
Maryorie Bonilla (IFMSA Panamá)
Ítalo Erio Rodrigues (APEMH – Peru)

SWG RESULTS
Why?
 Provide our students an opportunity to
know different Public Health realities
(and then, make them able to question
their own realities!)
 Support PAMSA’ s projects that need
volunteers for keep working
 Integrate America with the other
countries that already have SCOPH
exchange activities
 Promote the reconnaissance of local
projects (they are going to be an IFMSA
SCOPH Exchange’s project =D)
Let”s try to imagine
Project 1: Better houses, less
Chagas Illness
Chorrera – City of Panamá - Panamá
 Objectives
- Reduce Chagas illness affected.
1. Develop in people an awareness of preventive
measures of the Chagas Illness.
2. Contribute with people in the construction of
better houses.
 Activities
- Management of Funds
- Educative Meetings
- Campaign about prevention
- Construction of houses
Infrastructure
- When? January 2009
- Unilateral
- Housing and Food: homes of studiants of the Medical
Faculty of Panama University.
- Documents: - Form - Motivational letter
- Acceptance letter - Photos
- Schedule:

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun

Campaign Houses Managemen Managem Houses
planning construction t of funds ent of construction
and funds
evaluation

Educative Medical Medical Educative Promotion

Meeting work day work day Meeting campaign
Project 2: Cooperation Project
APEHMH - Peru
 Objectives
- Improve screening and detection of low sight and
preventable blindness
- Improve public awareness to ocular health

- Involvement and appropriate training for medical

students in Primary Eye Care

- Reduce vision problems that keep children in

elementary school
- Make people recognize ocular warning symptoms

(early diagnosis!)
 Activities

- Theoretical classes (red eye, glaucoma, catarata, refractive

problems)
- Organize the “Surgical and Eye Care” campaigns
- Screen all attendants, do the Auto Refraction test,
ready the patients to see the ophthalmologist
- Waiting area: short and easy lectures in Basic Eye
Care and other general health topics
- Train teachers and health personal in the school
to take the visual acuity test to their students
- Do lectures for the children on redeye and
conjutivitis
Infrastructure
- When? April or October
- Unilateral
- Board and lodging: Hostel and 2
meals per day
- Documents: - Application Form
- Motivation Letter
- Photos

- Time Schedule
Yes, PAMSA, my project can be
part of SCOPH exchanges’
network!
REGULARITY INFRASTRUCTURE

VOLUNTEE
WELL-KNOWN R
OBJECTIFS
BASED
PROJECT INTERESTING
ACTIVITIES
ORGANIZATION
How can I do the application
for this? www.ifmsa.org/scoph-exchange
 Difficulties in the Exchange…
 Management of funds

 Language

 “Tabues” in city

 Select a exchange coordinator

 Thanks!
Gracias!
Obrigado!
Merci!

PAMSA REGIONAL MEETING 2009, PANAMÁ

 Mental Health
Intiative Project
PAMSA 2009 Grupo de
trabajo
 Misión
 El Grupo de Trabajo de
Salud Mental busca
promover la educación
entre los estudiantes de
Medicina en problemas de
salud mental y proyectos
estudiantiles a nivel local e
internacional.
 Objetivos generales
 Eliminar los mitos y el estigma hacia las personas y de
las personas que sufren de enfermedades mentales.
 Reconocer la importancia de la colaboracion
multidisciplinaria acerca de los problemas de salud
mental y promover la colaboracion entre todos los
profesionales que trabajan en este campo.
 Enfatizar la importancia de la salud mental en la agenda
de salud mundial y promover la equidad de acceso a los
recursos de salud mental.
 Apreciar la influencia de los factores culturales en los
problemas de salud mental, incluyendo la presentacion,
actitud y el significado que dan las difrentes culturas a las
experiencias y temas relacionados con la mente.
 Specific objectives:
International action 1
 Present a lecture on post-traumatic
stress disorder and war traumas
during the next March Meeting
whose theme will be Conflict and
Health.
 Specific objectives:
International action 2
 Achieve a transnational status for
the MHIP during the next GA
 Support local actions and facilitate
communication between mental
health initiatives
 Specific objectives :
Local action
 Panama
 Colombia
 Chile
 Canada-Québec
 Jamaica
 QuickTime™ et un
décompresseur TIFF (LZW)
sont requis pour visionner cette image.

YAHOOGROUP
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ifmsa-mhip
FACEBOOK
IFMSA’s Mental Health Initiative
Vaccination Week in the
Americas
Knakita Clayton-Johnson - RA
Natalia Lucía del Carmen Lizárraga Tamayo –
IFMSA Peru
Johanna Sauta Tarea Ortez – IFMSA Peru
Christian Becker - APEM
 Vaccination Week in the
Americas
This year SCOPH Americas would like to get
involved in this very important venture.
We feel that as medical students we have a
very important role to play in limiting
the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases
in our communities.
 Vaccination Week in the
Americas
We decided that an educational campaign would
be the most feasible and effective way for us to
make a difference.

We decided to target 3 main populations: New

parents, Younger Children and their Parents, and
University students.
 New Parents
-We will teach new mothers about the importance of
vaccinations in antenatal clinics by giving small talks along
with the staff.
- We will have individual patient visits on postnatal wards
to stress the importance of vaccinations.
- Discussions must be carried out using appropriate
language and visual aids.
- Custom designed pamphlets will also be given out to the
new parents. We will also leave copies of same with the
hospital staff for them to distribute to patients on their
own. This is to ensure that even after VWA has passed,
there will be some continuity of the educational campaign.
 Younger Children
- Children will be targeted through Teddy Bear
Hospital. They will learn to overcome their fear of
needles and be taught the importance of doing
vaccinations. We will also give out stickers and posters
to further reinforce our message.
- Before the TBH, letters should be sent out to the
parents informing them of our planned activities.
Included in this letter should be information about
vaccines and we will also send a pamphlet to these
parents with information about the vaccination
schedule.
- In this way, 2 target groups are reached through one
project.
 University
These Students
students will be targeted
through a poster campaign. Posters
will be posted giving information
about vaccinations and vaccination
schedules and giving advice on
where these vaccines can be
acquired.
 How will we achieve
-A letter should be sent to this?
our Hospital Administrators
giving information about VWA, and what our
recommendations and plans are. Our recommendations
are:

"Patients should be educated on the benefits and

side-effects of vaccinations, in the antenatal and
postnatal periods, in a manner appropriate to
their level of understanding and that is not
intimidating. Patients should be given the
vaccination schedules, and the importance of
booster shots should be stressed"
 How will we achieve
- Come up with a slogan forthis?
our campaign. One
suggestion we have so far is, "Its not enough to feed
them, you must vaccinate them"
- Create an index card giving information about
vaccinations and with the country's vaccination
schedule to be given to new mothers. Do a
general brochure on the importance of vaccinations. We
will also need to design posters to use in our
campaigns.
- Before students can educate others on vaccinations, a
small workshop may need to be held for SCOPH
members so that the information they give is accurate
and so they will know how best to deliver it.
 What we need from
- Your commentsYOU!
and suggestions about our
plans.
- Please review our recommendation to hospital
administration and give corrections and ideas
- Come up with ideas for a slogan
- Come up with designs for posters and
brochures
Closing Session
Photo shoot!!!