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Philippines' First National Conference For Medical Students

The Asian Medical Students' Association - Philippines held its First National Medical Students' Conference entitled "Reality Bites: A Look at the Emerging Trends and Opportunities in Medicine" from 19th-20th February 2005 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay, Cavite. The conference theme was "expanding horizons for young Filipino physicians". The topics which were featured are those of great concern in the medical arena of our country today. These issues include medical migration, globalization and health, as well as international and national opportunities for social involvement.

Speakers from; the Philippine Department of Health, the National Institutes of Health, Doctors without Borders, The Kythe Foundation, and other health organizations presided over the plenary and lecture sessions. Breakout sessions on biomedical trends and Philippine research, tuberculosis and DOTS Analysis, reproductive health policy and AIDS, disaster preparedness and medical migration were also conducted by the AMSA Philippines Officers. Representatives from various universities all over the country attended, namely, the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Western Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, San Beda College, and De La Salle Bacolod.

Claire Aranda, a second year from the Central Philippine University commented, "the conference was so different from the other conferences I've attended. It was a real eye opener for me because I was able to see that med school doesn't have to be limited within the four walls of the classroom nor of the hospital…you can do so much more through AMSA. Life as a doctor doesn't have to start after you graduate or during internship but through the conference, I was able to see that it could begin even during med school."

One of the organizers from the University of Santo Tomas, Herdee Luna, also observed: "Many medical students are passionate about doing something for our society. They want action. Even as students, we have identified a number of problems along with possible solutions with regards to the health system our countrymen are facing. The conference gave us all an opportunity to realize small initiatives through an expansion of networks of medical student organisations."

The conference has indeed opened the doors for dynamic interaction among medical students from different universities. The variety of experiences and insights shared by each one has enhanced the specific goals of our organization's standing committees. This learning opportunity has truly showed that AMSA-Philippines is a respectable venue for intellectual exchange as well as the camaraderie among the next generation of Filipino physicians.

Beverlee Verona L. Mante
University of Santo Tomas Manila (Philippines)
Email: bvlmante@yahoo.com