Welcome to MSAP

The Medical Students’ Aid Project allows medical students at the University of NSW the opportunity to contribute positively towards developing world health via sending targeted aid to hospitals in the developing world during their elective term. To ensure that we are supplying appropriate and effective equipment, the hospitals are asked to compile a ‘wishlist’ of the medication and equipment that they require. These donations are then delivered when our medical students arrive at their elective placements. The personal presence of our students allows assessment of suitability and efficacy of our donations. Click here to read more about MSAP.

Join us!

Join as a member here for regular updates on meetings, events, and our future endeavours. We hope to see you soon! We are also on Facebook, so be sure to like us by clicking on the button to the right, or following the links.

Global Health Short Course

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be living in the midst of a raging war? What happens to the most vulnerable- the women and children? And how do you rebuild these wartorn communities? MSAP’s Global Health Short Course is back again this year with the theme of ‘Conflict in Developing Nations’. After last year’s highly successful GHSC, MSAP is again giving you the opportunity to learn about these pertinent global health issues with speakers from Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, Project Futures and many more. Upon completion, you get a certificate signed by the Dean of Medicine. Like our page to stay updated! https://www.facebook.com/MSAPGHSC

Date: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th of May
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Cost: $15 for all four weeks
Location: Biomed Theatres C

Sign up at bit.ly/MSAPGHSC

New Executive Team 2013

Congratulations to the newly elected executive team for 2013 – look forward to another year of MSAP!

Co-Chairs: Tim Nguyen and Sapna Govindaraj
Secretary: Swara Jain
Treasurer: Jacqueline Ho
Logistics: Vannessa Leung
Events and Fundraising: Anju Roy and Mona Sajeev
Projects and Policy: Chester Pearson
AGH Rep: Nisha Prabaharan
IT Officer: Ruth Huo

Latest news

Exciting Associate news and events!

1. Africa Festival

Africa Comes to the Manning Valley NSW 25-31 May, 2013

Armchair globetrotters will enjoy a week of African films, food and fellowship in Taree and Wingham NSW. Events include an African cookery class, drumming and photography workshops, art and photography exhibits,  thought-provoking discussions with migrants from Africa’s Great Lakes region and Carol Angir, ActionAid’s senior program coordinator for violence against women,  and live performances. There’s something for everyone!  For a complete festival program or to get involved contact Jane O’Dwyer on (02) 6553 5121 or emailrmw@mvns.org.au.

This non-profit festival is brought to you by Manning Valley NSW community members and Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development www.glapd.com.

2. Measles Outbreak

Measles Result in 20 Deaths – Help MSAP Re-connect with a Village in the Congo

Isn’t measles simply a childhood annoyance?  Not in Congo.  Not in Lotumbe and the Equator region, where it has already caused the deaths of 20 people, most of whom are children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years.  Over the last few weeks, there have been over 190 cases of measles reported by Doctors Without Borders http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=6660&cat=field-news.

In the 21^st century, how can measles possibly become an epidemic, you ask yourself.  HandUp Congo, with your help, is determined to stop this epidemic with your help.  You may recall that Lotumbe is the village where Sydney-based UNSW alumna and HandUp Congo co-founder Lucy Hobgood-Brown lived as a child and where her father, Ben Hobgood, was born. HandUp Congo continues to work on capacity building projects there. MSAP partnered with HandUp Congo in 2007. See MSAP Annual Report 2007 http://www.msap.unsw.edu.au/MSAP/PDFs/2007.pdf.

It is as simple as having the appropriate medications and equipment as well as fuel and oil to transport the medications to the remote locations – approximately 16 hours by motorized canoe in the case of Lotumbe.  Inconceivable to most Westerners because we can simply jump in our car and head to the pharmacy around the corner.

Without our help, the number of deaths will only increase.  By raising USD $2,200, we can save lives!  Please consider a donation through HandUp Congo’s rural health zone partner, Global Ministries https://donate.globalministries.org/onlinegiving.

Or to give a gift by mail, cheques may be directed to:

Be sure to put “Lotumbe Measles Outbreak, DRC” in the Comments box if giving online, or on the memo line of your check.  Designated gifts are allocated in their entirety for the purpose indicated.  Questions on Special Giving to Global Ministries may be directed to:  gifts@dom.disciples.org.

Questions on Special Giving to Global Ministries may be directed to gifts@dom.disciples.org.

MSAP Update

MSAP has sent its first shipment of donations to its partner hospitals for 2013! Thanks to all the companies and individuals that have supported us this year, and to the students for sending in their wishlists! The second shipment will be sent in January 2012 to students who commence their elective in that month.

Check out the winning photos from the 2013 Photo Elective Night

Warm thank you to all those who contributed their elective photos to our competition night. Check them out here, and be inspired.