Projects

Activities, Campaigns and Events

Dedicated MMSA members contribute to this standing committee by actively participating in the many successful activities, campaigns and events that aim to increase health awareness amongst the Maltese population. We have campaigns throughout the year, some encompassing World Days, whilst others are held more frequently.

The following is a brief description of all the campaigns, activities and events we hold throughout the year.

Reach on the Beach – reachonthebeach@mmsa.org.mt

A campaign held on Maltese Blue Flag beaches throughout the summer months, organised together with the Malta Tourism Authority aimed at local and foreign beachgoers. MMSA members give information about sun protection, melanoma and smoking cessation and prevention in an interactive manner that includes the public as part of a discussion. Informative leaflets and bookmarks about the topic are handed out to the public as part of outreaches that are performed on the beach itself. Carbon monoxide (CO) testing for smokers and non-smokers is held in association with HELP-EU under a HELP-EU tent, where the public is also given an explanation of the readings and handed quitting guides which encourage them to stop smoking. The event is held in the afternoon so as to promote the importance of staying out of the sun during peak hours.

World Heart Day – worldheartday@mmsa.org.mt

A half-day campaign commemorating World Heart Day (27th September) which is held under the initiative of the World Heart Foundation and forms part of IFMSA’s International Project on Obesity and Diabetes as of the IFMSA August Meeting held in Macedonia in 2009. We aim to make the general public aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy heart, since many determinants of heart health are voluntary and under the individual’s control, and show them that the problem of heart disease can be mitigated in part by smart choices.  The activity involves performing outreaches to passers-by about eating habits, smoking, exercise and handing out informative leaflets. For this reason, this activity is held in a popular area that attracts many members of the general public of all ages. Members of the public can also have their blood pressure, blood glucose and Body Mass Index checked at our stand. A healthy fruit salad is given out to those who do. WHD is heavily promoted on national television, radio and via press releases.

World Diabetes Day – worlddiabetesday@mmsa.org.mt

The problem of diabetes is very prevalent in the Maltese islands, and for this reason MMSA is committed to raising awareness about it. This campaign is a half-day activity to commemorate WDD, which is celebrated on the 14th November. It is very well-attended, both by MMSA members and also by the general public. It is held in a popular area, bustling with trade, life and people – many of whom are affected by diabetes either directly or indirectly through an affected family member. The aim is to educate the public and make them more knowledgeable about diabetes and its prevention, effects and management. We also give information about diabetes in children. The activity involves outreaches to passers-by about diabetes, and distribution of leaflets. Interested people can have their blood glucose, blood pressure and Body Mass Index checked at our stand. This event is part of IFMSA’s International Project on Obesity and Diabetes as of the IFMSA August Meeting held in Macedonia in 2009.

Teddy Bear Hospital – tbh@mmsa.org.mt

It is a well-known fact that most children are scared of doctors! This IFMSA Transnational Project aims to remove children’s fear of white coats and to make the doctor seem like a friendly person that children can relate to from an early age. MMSA members visit primary schools, summer schools and orphanages almost every month to help heal children’s teddy bears using plastic doctors’ toys. At the same time, Teddy Bear Doctors also give advice and tips in a very informal manner that are largely concerned with basic sanitation, for example washing one’s hands after using the bathroom. At the end of the activity, a certificate is handed out to all the children who took part. MMSA has also created a booklet to be given to parents about general health information.

Christmas Presents Campaign and Christmas Lottery – christmaspresents@mmsa.org.mt

Christmas is generally a happy period of the year, but it might not be so for children who are staying in hospital because they are sick or require specific treatment over the days of Christmas. For this reason, SCOPHians organise a Christmas lottery to raise money to buy gifts for sick children. MMSA members then visit the children’s wards during the holidays to distribute these gifts, sing Christmas carols and introduce them to our very own Father Christmas!

Blood and Organ Donation Campaigns – blooddonation@mmsa.org.mt

The blood donation campaigns serve to motivate and encourage University students and staff to donate blood, both on campus and by visiting the Blood Bank in Guardamangia. These campaigns are organized by MMSA in conjunction with MKSU, and are held on campus, commonly via the Blood Mobile Unit. These twice-yearly campaigns span for 3 days. During which, members of MMSA and MKSU promote blood donation by hanging up posters and banners, passing round flyers whilst performing outreaches, and setting up a stand (usually in Quadrangle) in the hopes of reaching as many students as possible. Promotion starts beforehand, through emails sent to student organizations, News on Campus and the Registrar, to ensure every student is informed about the Blood Drive. Blood donation is also organised at the yearly Healthfest, and occasionally in conjunction with SCORP for Human Rights week. Apart from information regarding blood donation, at the stand we also have organ donation forms for students and staff to fill in. Hence, these campaigns also serve to encourage people to become organ donors. We also intend to show our respect and appreciation to the people who did the noble act of donating their bodies to science, research and our preparation for becoming doctors during this event.

Eating Disorders Campaign– eatingdisorders@mmsa.org.mt

This campaign is split into two sections: peer-education and public awareness. In peer-education, certified peer-educators visit schools and give interactive talks to secondary school students, whilst public awareness involves outreaches and targets a wider audience of people. This campaign is intended to make the public more aware of the often-overlooked problem of eating disorders, give relevant information about the 4 main types of eating disorders, and let people know where they can find help should they need it. Another focus of this campaign is on the mental health problems associated with eating disorders allowing it to be merged with the mental health as well as forming liaisons with external associations and groups. As from 2010, this project is an IFMSA trans-nationally recognised project in which Poland and Mexico are also participating.

Focusing On Obesity and Diabetes – FOOD – ipod@mmsa.org.mt

Obesity in children has become a problem in the Maltese islands, and it is something that can be easily mitigated if children get into the habit of eating healthily and exercising. MMSA members visit schools and give talks about the importance of healthy eating and daily exercise. The children are then encouraged to put what they have heard during the talk into practice during games and activities designed specifically to teach them about healthy diets and smart food choices. We then hold sports competitions for the children in a bid to promote an active lifestyle. SCOPH also holds talks about diabetes and obesity that target the parents of the students that attend the school in which the FOOD campaign was held. These are held in conjunction with the Diabetes Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. This event is part of IFMSA’s International Project on Obesity and Diabetes as of the IFMSA August Meeting held in Macedonia in 2009.

4 Life | First Aid awareness Campaign – firstaid@mmsa.org.mt

First Aid is a basic skill, and MMSA believes that everyone should receive adequate training in this regard so that tragedies that occur due to lack of First Aid knowledge will be prevented. This campaign has many subsectors, one of which is the promotion of First Aid courses with first year medical students. First Aid demonstrations during Freshers’ week on Campus also feature and are to be included them in the blood donation campaigns too. The aim is to promote the importance of having First Aid skills and to make sure the public knows how to handle situations where First Aid is required. The campaign is held in association with Red Cross Malta Society.

MMSA Healthfest – healthfest@mmsa.org.mt

An MMSA event held once yearly during which most of the campaigns mentioned here are promoted in one single event. It is usually held in Valletta, our capital city, and is a great success.

Substance Abuse Week – substanceabuse@mmsa.org.mt

Substance abuse is an umbrella term that includes not only drug abuse, but also abuse of alcohol – two problems that commonly effect teenagers in today’s world.  We aim to give information and facts to secondary school students through our peer-education programme, of which this campaign is part. The campaign’s aim is not to tell the students what to do but to empower them with the information they need to make informed decisions when faced with such choices. It is held during NSTF Science Week and in participating schools which peer-educators visit to give presentations. This campaign forms part of the European Action on Drugs.

Antitobacco Campaign – antitobacco@mmsa.org.mt

MMSA’s anti-tobacco campaign rests on two pillars: peer-education and outreaches to the general public. Peer-education involves presenting facts about the various aspects of smoking through interactive talks with secondary school students. The sessions aim to equip students with the awareness they need to make informed decisions about tobacco. In the outreaches sector of the antitobacco campaign, which includes the Reach on the Beach campaign, we offer CO (Carbon Monoxide) testing and distribute quitting guides to encourage people to stop smoking. We also hand out leaflets describing the effects of smoking and employ visual aids and other props to make the campaign more interactive and effective. The antitobacco campaign is funded by HELP-EU.

E-Posters Campaign – eposters@mmsa.org.mt

This campaign involves the creation of posters that are circulated using electronic means such as email and social networking websites. These posters target common or current issues, such as lower back pain and sleep deprivation to name a few. The information included in the posters is referenced and checked by medical professionals. The posters will also be printed in local magazines, with the aim of reaching a much larger audience.

ClimateCare campaign – climatecare@mmsa.org.mt

Climate change has been defined by The Lancet as the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. SCOPH and MMSA therefore feel that this issue is one that should be at the forefront of its campaigns. Falling under IFMSA’s Think Global Initiative, ClimateCare focuses on the effects of climate change on health – an aspect often neglected in talks about climate change. Events include workshops and public outreaches.

Mental Health Awareness Campaign- mentalhealth@mmsa.org.mt

MMSA is working with many externals within the Malta Mental Health Network so as to establish the right level of resources and references needed to tackle such a delicate subject. MMSA holds outreaches on campus and to the general public that target issues concerning mental health and public perception. Plans for including this campaign in our peer-education programme are in place.

We’re always open to new ideas and suggestions from anyone, so if you would like to give your input, we’d be very happy to hear from you!

The International Level – IFMSA and more!

As part of MMSA, SCOPH is also part of IFMSA SCOPH, which is the standing committee that includes all the members from around the world. Opportunities with IFMSA are endless, and they are all there just waiting for you to use to the full! There are plenty of conferences, meetings and general assemblies one can attend as part of SCOPH. This promotes exchange of ideas with people from around the world, learning many new things about topics like leadership development and project management (to name a few), and also serves as a way to make new, like-minded friends that have the same frame of mind as you do.

MMSA representatives at the General Assemblies held biannually all over the world exchange ideas with representatives from other countries.