A vision for global witness
Kevin Vaughan writes: The vision of the International Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) is to have a Christian witness through doctors and dentists in every community in every nation. Currently 75 countries are members. However this represents only half of the countries in the world. More needs to be done, especially in the 'closed' countries where we have a few contacts but no national movement. To facilitate regional activities ICMDA has been divided into twelve regions. This year many of the regions are having their own conferences: East Africa in December, Southern Africa in July, West Africa in August, South Asian in October; Oceania in August. Recently in Georgia there was an excellent consultation for leaders in the Eurasia region.
In 2014 it was decided to develop language groups and now at least five language groups have their own identities within ICMDA. Many of them will be having conferences in their own language the coming year; French in August, Portuguese in March, Russian and Arabic in February, Spanish in October.
Online training is being developed, working with students and doctors. This is an interactive way for individuals or groups to learn at their own pace. Subjects available for training will include leadership, ethics, worldview, vocation and governance.
ICMDA runs an online Masters in Family Medicine course in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. Occasional face-to-face sessions are held in Uganda, Egypt, India and Nigeria. Those interested in volunteering to teach please contact Dr Sangeeta in the ICMDA office at geeth03@gmail.com.
Kevin Vaughan recently completed his term as Board Chair of ICMDA.
Off the Beaten Track...a new resource for junior doctors
When should I go? What could I do? Would I be any use? How can I get ready? These are questions junior doctors ask as they wonder about the possibility of working overseas. Our UK training system can sometimes feel like an endless conveyor belt, but there are opportunities to take a sideways step…off the beaten track. Paediatric trainee Adele Cowper set out to answer some of these questions and, with Vicky Lavy, has written a practical handbook specifically for junior doctors. Alongside all the information and advice are stories and reflections from others who have already walked this path.
