(adopted on the 5^th March 2008)

We, the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), are an internationally diverse group of future health care professionals concerned with global health issues. We are alarmed by the large numbers of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) emigrating from underserved areas, particularly from low-income to high-income nations, and the resulting brain drain in the migrants’ countries of origin. This phenomenon leads to a worsening of health indicators in countries already suffering from an acute lack of healthcare workers. We advocate for policies that reverse negative effects of brain drain and make this declaration in the IFMSA spirit of solidarity.

In the 2006 World Health Report, the WHO reports that migration of HCPs from rural to urban areas, as well as from low-income to high-income nations, exacerbates poor health conditions in largely underserved areas.  The WHO emphasizes that global shortage of HCPs is a significant barrier in access to health care, and appeals to the international community to collectively address this issue. (1) (more…)

Stephen Keddie explains more about what is involved in this initiative and give some advice on how to set up a teddy bear Hospital wherever you are

 Teddy Bear Hospital Newcastle was set up in 2005 by a group of medical students as part of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), co-ordinated by Medsin- a network of students with an interest in health. Medsin’s activities aim to promote health as well as to act upon and educate students about health inequalities in our local and global communities. (more…)