Student Interaction

The student chapter held an interaction programme with necomers to medicine and public health at undergraduate level in the Institute of Medicine. Members of student chapter explained the activities of PSRN, IPPNW and PSRN student chapter. Informal discussion among the participants was held after the programme.

Seminar on “What Motivates Doctors Work in the Periphery”, July 29, 2006, Kathmandu

No doctor in the hospital for the last two years………….
Doctor's absence resulting in the death of a child……….
Risky delivery carried out by a peon……………………
Only ten applicants for twenty five vacancies announced…………

These are the only few excerpts from news headlines of different dates. In fact the situation in the country is much grave than this. Though the enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health as fundamental right of every individual was enshrined in WHO constitution a half century ago and Nepal has already expressed its commitment to act in accordance with the provision, there is a obvious disparity in health status and health care services between urban and rural area.

In this context PSRN, Student Chapter did a survey among the young medical doctors with open and close ended questions seeking their views on why doctors are not willing to work in the rural health settings and what really motivates them to go to the periphery.

Following the survey, we organised a one-day seminar, inviting young doctors, senior physicians who have worked in the rural areas, policy makers and government officials. The discussion was focused on the issues pertinent to fresh graduates (based on the findings of survey) like guarantee of further study, sufficient financial support to the right of every citizen to get minimum health care services and responsibility of the state to provide health care.

A report will be published and submitted to the policy makers consolidating all the issues and ideas discussed during the programme with their possible solutions.

Student seminar on 'Health Structure of federal Nepal'

The student chapter organised a national level seminar on 31 March 2007. Papers were presented by noted figures of Nepali socio-political sphere and student representatives. The session was divided into two presentation and discussion on federal structure of new Nepal, and anticipation of new health system within the ambit of republic Nepal.
More than one hundred health science students, senior physicians and other health professionals, and intellectuals participated in the deliberation and discussion sessions. Discussions seemed to go beyond time limit and the involvement of participants was overwhelming.

Video Presentation- SALUD
Objective:
 To inform health students about an organized and successful health system
 To enable health students to explore their potentials about how they can serve their place of origin and remain satisfied
Presentation details:
SALUD is a documentary filmed about the health diplomacy and training policies adopted in one of the most successful health systems and that was of Cuba.
The event was conducted by Student Chapter, PSRN at Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University on 6th February, 2008. The event was supported by PHECT Nepal who provided us the documentary film.
The presentation was done among 120 health students from different streams. The policies and procedures adopted in Cuba to produce and mobilize their health professionals were impressive and drew attention of all the participants of the presentation. Their enthusiastic participation has really encouraged us to conduct such events in the days to come.

Seminar cum Workshop on Migration of Human Resources for Health
February9, 2008, Kathmandu.
Objectives:
• Analysis of distribution of HRH at national level.
• To create awareness about the significant causes, magnitude and effects of HRH migration
• To know the ways adapted to check HRH-migration, in Nepal.
• To encourage the participants to explore steps needed to be taken by our country.

Nepal since last decade has suffered crises due to outflow of HRH. The rising concern in the issue of dearth of health professionals due to migration of HRH encouraged us to talk about the issue among the students of health sciences. This concern gave us the concept to design a Seminar cum Workshop on Human Resources for Health Migration.
Programme Details:
The programme was organized by Student Chapter, PSRN. It was conducted in the auditorium of Learning Realm International School, Kalanki, Kathmandu on February 9, 2008. The presence of 109 (Female 30, Male 79) enthusiastic students of health sciences to listen to our experts and discuss on the issue was really encouraging for the organizer. The participants were from Institute of Medicine, Nepal Institute of Health Sciences, Hope International College, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, People Dental College and Nepal Medical College.
Professor Dr. Ramesh Kant Adhikari, former Dean of Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University presented an expert paper which covered diverse perspectives on the topic. Dr. Sharad Onta, General Secretary of Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal (PSRN) added his views about the subject and praised the students for being concerned about their society. With words of appreciation from Medical Student Representative, Mr. Chudamani Giri, the first session came to an end.
The second session was a group discussion among the students. ‘Migration of HRH’ was subdivided into five topics for discussion which was distributed among the students forming five groups. The discussion session was instructed by the moderators who were students with intense preparation on the topic. Each group came up with a conclusion about their topic which was shared with all participants. The conclusion accommodated diverse views on the topic. The students were well aware about their role and responsibility of different unit of a society to address the crises due to HRH migration. The question answer session during the presentation was the best part that helped the organizer to asses the output of the programme.
The other part of our programme to inform the people about the issue was supported by a leading daily newspaper. The discussion part was well covered and beautifully presented in the newspaper which clarified our objectives to the general public.


All delighted…..
After the successful completion.