MMSA has taken proactive steps by contacting the Minister, seeking a meeting to discuss these concerns and contribute to the decision-making dialogue, and is waiting for a response.

The post MMSA releases a statement on the Minister for Health’s plans for Maltese healthcare appeared first on The Third Eye.

Earlier this year, retired chief justice Joseph Said Pullicino came out with a damning criticism against Maltese students and their supposed “lethargy” regarding social issues and their unwillingness to raise their voices to bring about a change.

“Not even the assassination of a journalist [Daphne Caruana Galizia] to shut her up – an event that shocked the world – managed to wake the student body from its apparent lethargy,” he wrote. Such strong words. He then proceeded to highlight the contrast between the apparent status quo to the national student-led protests and charity actions against the Russian invasion of Hungary that took place in 1956, whilst mentioning the lack of “any significant ripples of protest or initiative of note within university circles”.

Another shocking headline this year, seemingly running alongside what the former ombudsman said, read “52% of young Maltese people say they shun activism”. Quite the number! A little over half of all Maltese youth say that they apparently “shun activism”.

Now, why am I bringing this up? Is it to add an extra complaint to the seemingly endless pile of complaints about the contemporary student?

Do not get me wrong, I do agree that there is an issue with the current downward trajectory we have with regards to young people’s involvement in social issues. I think that it does not bode well, especially when we are living in a time when we are witnessing daily major violations of people’s human rights, be it internationally or here at home.

Like former chief justice Said Pullicino said, “The lack of meaningful student activism is symptomatic of a young genera­tion comatose to the consequences of grave injustices”. I do agree with him on that, however, I do not think that the main issue is that people are afraid of talking about these issues due to some apparent cowardness or fear of consequences to one’s career prospects as he put it.

I am a student, an outspoken one at that. I live amongst students in my day-to-day, speak with them, and hear their concerns. It might be simply anecdotal but what is apparent to me is not that the students are afraid of raising their voices, while some may feel that way. The issue I see is two-fold.

On the one hand, we see a whole generation of young people who became desensitised to the horrors they see reported on the news, day in, day out, without any significant action being done in response to a large public outcry. Just symbolic or minor concessions by those in power only to the most significant of those movements.

On the other hand, many students are simply blind to the possibility of, or at least how to go about, organising with fellow like-minded people in order to bring about change in society. They were never taught how to do that, and with a schooling system that values conforming to predetermined traits in order to succeed rather than encouraging self-expression and exploration, they were not even provided the space to explore those possibilities. Later in life, their time becomes a valuable commodity, due to work, relationships, hobbies, assignments and the other time-demanding aspects of life, it becomes almost impossible for someone to learn about the importance of and how to go about activism, without being invested in it already.

In fact, lack of time was one of the leading reasons reported by students in the aforementioned Article.

Viewing it from this perspective, it becomes clear that this loss of interest is not simply the ‘lethargy’ of these lazy and afraid students, but rather a form of system-induced catatonia. We are a product of our environment in the end. Therefore, one starts seeing that simply chastising these students is not the answer, but to reach out to them on their own terms. To teach them the value of their voices, and how to exactly go about it.

This is why MMSA is placing student activism and organisation as one of our aims for the term, as well as our central theme for this year’s World Human Rights day. A day to celebrate and remind ourselves of the importance of these rights, as well as the importance of the daily struggle many people endure to make sure that these rights stay inalienable to all. A reminder that making your voice heard is an integral part of protecting your rights.

That is why this year MMSA will be holding an event at University Quadrangle to celebrate World Human Rights Day. So join us on 7th December between 12:00 and 16:00 where we will be hosting a number of stands discussing the different aspects of Human Rights, activism, and how you can make your voice be heard!

Additionally, we are happy to announce that we will be joined by a number of amazing collaborators who will be hosting their very own stands on the day, talking about topics near and dear to their organisations, and explaining how they have been engaging with these topics locally to make a difference. Make sure to join us!

The post Human Rights Day | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

These students have reported missing belongings while doing their attachment in the operating theatre where they have to completely change their clothes and leave their belongings in changing rooms or specific areas near the changing room. These students were surprised after finishing their attachment to find some of their belongings missing including money and wallets. 

When reporting the incidents to workers in the changing room, the workers helped the students with reporting the incidents. However, they advised students not to leave their belongings in changing rooms but to leave them near the workers’ office, especially since students don’t have lockers to store their items. Students were also advised to keep their wallets and phone on them at all times.

The scene in the changing rooms when the theft was reported to workers shows that it wasn’t the first time such incidents have occurred, and the changing rooms are not the only area where something similar has happened, with a student saying that money was stolen from her wallet last week when she was doing her attachment in the wards. Another student responded by saying that she has been told to never leave money with her belongings in the wards as it always gets stolen.

MMSA statement on the alleged theft

The Third Eye has reached out to MMSA for a response about the alleged theft of student belongings and the following was stated

MMSA strongly condemns the recent alleged incident of theft occurring in Mater Dei Hospital ….

MMSA demanded that greater action needs to be taken in light of these allegations

MMSA would like to call for greater security presence around the hospital, especially in the common area, we believe that all medical students should be provided with a safe and secure place to store their personal belongings whilst on attachments in the hospital without the added stress caused by these alleged incidents

MMSA also didn’t forget the lost belongings of students in these cases, adding

We also urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter with the goal of locating a culprit and returning the alleged stolen personal belongings to their rightful owners

For the full statement click here.

Important note

It’s important to note that everything stated in this article is still allegations and students’ reports with no official statement from the hospital or relevant authorities as of the date of publication.

We have removed all the names and associated information from the messages to protect the right of privacy of the students and have asked for permission to post these texts.

For other MMSA related articles click here.

The post Medical students report stolen belongings while on attachments in hospital appeared first on The Third Eye.

In an effort to promote student participation in student organisations and student activism, we will be giving the contesting candidates a platform to reach out to their voters. The contested positions so far are:   

• President – 2 candidates 
• Vice president of internal affairs – 2 candidates
• Leisure Officer- 2 Candidates 
• Public Health Officer – 2 candidates 
• Supervising Council without board of directors experience – 3 Candidates

President of MMSA

In this election there will be two candidates going for the role of president in the MMSA. This being The Former Education Officer for the Term 21/22 Nicholas Galea and the former Supervising counsel officer (SupCo Official) for the term 21/22  Andrea Bugeja.

Nicholas Galea:

Nicholas is MD3 student who spent the last three years as an active member of MMSA, taking the positions of assistance to the medical education officer (SCOME Assistance) for the term 20/21 and as medical education officer in (SCOME Officer) in the term 21/22. He is also the student representative on the board of studies for the doctor of medicine in the faculty of medicine and surgery.  

Nicholas announced his candidature on the 12 of March in a Facebook post saying :

“I feel uniquely positioned to share the knowledge and skills I have gained during this time and apply it to guide this association forward into the next term in this post-pandemic era.”

He followed his announcement with his promises for the presidency :

“By ensuring MMSA has a unified vision, voice, and values, our association can take the next step in extending its help and influence to medical students and beyond.

Should you trust me to be your next president, I will be an open and transparent leader; someone who will give time to all standing committees to operate effectively and who will give room to all members to grow and make themselves the best medical professionals they can be.”

We reached out to Nicholas who provided us with further comment saying:

“Should you entrust me to lead this organisation, I promise to be a transparent and formative leader and I look forward to giving each standing committee and member the opportunity to flourish both within the organisation and externally.

My plan of action is the culmination of three years of local and international experiences, which has filled me with the motivation to work tirelessly in the upcoming term and strive to improve every aspect of the running of MMSA.”

You can find more details about what he is planning in his plan of action here.

Andrea Bugeja:  

Andrea Bugeja is also an MD3 student who was an active member of MMSA for the last 3 years. His past experiences include being the Electives Officer and SupCo Offical among other local and international experiences you can find in his Fb announcement published on the 15th of March.

Andrea justified his motives for running for presidency by stating:

“Throughout these experiences it was a source of great accomplishment and satisfaction to see the difference we have been able to make, all working together to achieve similar goals, passing through similar struggles, sharing a common path. However, it also became apparent just how much room for improvement there is at hand” 

He continued to point out his focus for the presidency:

“To continue moving forward as an organisation we need to ensure our stability. We need to diversify our income, increase our certified trainers, raise awareness of what we do and increase the opportunities we offer. We need to host more frequent capacity building workshops, subsidise conferences and training costs, and increase exchanges and electives opportunities. “ 

Concluding his announcement message with : 

“As a friend and mentor once said, “Let us dare to lead”.”

We reached out to Andrea for a comment and this is what he had to say”

“My experience in our organisation has emphasised the importance of stability and improvement. We need to diversify our income, increase our trainers, settle outstanding legal matters, improve our public image, medical education, and facilities, subsidies conferences and training, increase international opportunities and the implementation of a temporary study area as well as look to the future and set the groundwork for our very own IFMSA GA.

With your help and support, I look forward to work on these and many, many more ideas in the coming term. Thank you!!”

For further details take a look at his plan of action here!

MMSA Vice president of internal affairs (VPi):

There are two candidates for the 22/23 MMSA VPi role, both of which were part of MMSA executive team for 21/22. These being Owen Cachia, Sexual and reproductive health and right Officer , and Martina Formosa, Public Relations Officer.

Owen Cachia:

Owen Cachia is an MD3 student who occupied many co-ordinator roles within his first and second years which includes ( Media Coordinator and Awareness Coordinator) within Public relations office and SCORA office respectively. He was also the SCORA officer for term 21/22. 

In his announcement he spoke of his experiences and reasons to run for VPi as follows:

“I was privileged enough to gain invaluable experience and build external relations with numerous stakeholders. Along the way, I took up every opportunity I could to listen to and help my colleagues within the Board of Directors, through which I started to truly understand the inner workings of MMSA. In addition to this, I have come to greatly appreciate the importance of the Executive Board in the functioning of the organisation. Along the way, my passion for the organisation only became stronger and thus, Contesting for this role felt like the next step forward”

He went forward with a following post on FB showcasing the focus of his campaign by saying:

“Should the medical student body entrust me with this role, MMSA’s unified image will be my utmost priority. I look forward to serve as the Bridge between the medical student body and the board of directors,in order to ensure that the student remains the organisation’s top priority.”

We reached out to Owen and this is what he had to say to our viewers: 

“My tenure as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Officer has been an invaluable experience which I will cherish forever. Driven by my passion for student activism, I believe that through my candidature for Vice-President for Internal Affairs I can continue to contribute to the association and the medical student body, as I have done throughout these last three years.” 

For Further details about what Owen has to offer read his Plan of Action here.

Martina Formosa: 

Martina Formosa is an MD3 student  who occupied The media coordinator in her first year, The PR officer in her Second year and currently occupies the Public relation officer role for the term 21/22 while also being an active MMSA member throughout her three years tenure. 

Martina announced her Candidature on the 16th of march saying:

“Being trained extensively on the numerous aspects involved in activity management and member engagement at a pre-GA workshop on Public Health Leadership Training, has inspired me greatly on how to tackle the issue of overloaded activity calendars and decreased member participation, two prevalent issues in our organisation.

With all this in mind, I believe that I have what it takes to fulfil the duties expected from this crucial position within the Executive Board, if given the opportunity.”

She elaborated on her experience from the past term by adding :

“This past term has been a turning point in my journey so far. Being given the opportunity to gain a direct insight into the running of medical student organisations around the globe at the GA this month, has made me all the more aware of the strong suits and shortcomings in the foundations of our organisation, and how these directly impact the wellbeing of our members.”

Martina added on her announcement in a comment sent to us: 

“Having worked so closely with all the Offices, as well as all of the EB in my role as PRO, as well as having attended IFMSA trainings such as TNT, PHLT and a GA this very month, has provided me with substantial experience in feedback, student participation and engagement, and, most importantly, working with other members. I will do my utmost to work towards enhanced member engagement and recognition in MMSA, a greater focus on activity management and capacity building, as well as tackling the issue of overloaded activity calendars and decreased member participation, two prevalent issues in our organisation ” 

For more detailed information on her plan of action for the position click here!

Leisure Officer :

Leisure officer is also witnessing an election as two candidates have announced their campaign for the office. These are Tara Borg Caruana and Lara Bugeja. Both have had experience within the leisure office in different positions.

Tara Borg Caruana:

Tara is a MD3 student who served as Leisure office assistance for the term 21/22 enabling her to work closely with the past leisure officer in organising and managing the leisure office event. She also has various other past experiences as an active MMSA member which include being SCORA Peer Education Co-Ordinator and part of SCOME Buddy system for two years. 

In her announcement she summarised her plans for the office by saying:

“If elected, I shall work hard, together with my team, to maintain the iconic MMSA-Leisure reputation as well as coming up with new and innovative concepts to continue building on what past officers have worked so tirelessly on.” 

Tara also wanted to say this to MMSA members: 

“My main aim with regards to the future of this role if elected is to prioritise new and innovative events as well as to continue our iconic MMSA traditions. Whilst also, seeking to form new relationships with other student organisations on campus, as well as maintaining our current ones. On the whole I feel like my candidature for this role reflects the type of person I am, which is an outgoing person who seeks every opportunity to interact with different people and form new relationships.”

For more details about Tara’s plan of action click here!

Lara Bugeja: 

Lara Bugeja is an MD2 Student who occupied the role of leisure coordinator in term 21/22. She was also part of the SCOPET Peer ED team while also maintaining an active presence within MMSA events hosted by other committees. Through her role as Leisure coordinator she was actively involved in numerous events which include ‘Leisure Goes Camping’ and TRD’s parties among others.

In her announcement post on Facebook Lara said: 

“Working side-by side with the Leisure Officer for this year has inspired me to take on the more active role of MMSA Leisure Officer.Should I be elected, I promise to do my utmost to maintain the jam-packed calendar filled with a wide variety of events that past leisure teams have worked so hard to build. I will also ensure MMSA Leisure’s legendary reputation is upheld.”

In Comment obtained from Lara she had this to say:

“My goal is to provide students with the opportunity to find a balance between leisure and education. I have big ideas and a big passion for the leisure office and I would love to give back to MMSA what it gave to me!”

For more details about Lara’s  plan of action click here!

Public Health Officer : 

Two MD2 Students are running for this year’s Public health Office both of which were part of the previous year Public Health officer team. These are: Adriel Camilleri and Gabriel Grixti.

Adriel Camilleri: 

Adriel Camilleri was the assistant for SCOPH positioning him in an unique position experience wise to take the mantle of Public health office. His past experience include being an active part of most SCOPH events as well as numerous other positions in MMSA which include TRD performance Co-ordinator ’21. 

In his announcement post he said: 

“It is with great honour, that I formally announce my candidature for Public Health Officer for the term 2022-2023.

As Assistant for the current term, I believe I have developed the necessary leadership skills, and through working with every branch of SCOPH,  an intrinsic understanding of all the work we do, making me uniquely qualified to effectively lead a new team and to tackle those topics that we as medical students must understand. Over the past term I have truly fallen in love with SCOPH, but I believe my journey is far from over, and I would like to lead it to new heights!

When asked for comment Adriel had this to say:

“As medical students, our priority should always be to serve the community and foster a sense of trust and communication between future healthcare professionals and their future patients. I aim to do just this. Through various exciting brand new initiatives, and innovation of our most successful events, I seek to increase our relevance on both a national and international level, doing what’s best for not just SCOPH, but MMSA as a whole!” 

For more details about Adriel’s  plan of action click here!

Gabriel Grixti:

Gabriel is a MD2 student and also a national team athlete in Table tennis. His past experience include being SCOPH goes local Co-Ordinator giving him a front seat row into the planning and organisation of various SCOPH events such as Diabetes Awareness day and World diabetes day health check among others. He is also an active member in other standing events which include SCORA aborition event, SCOPET First aid, SCOME Fresher activities and other events. 

In his announcement Gabriel had this to say about contesting for this position: 

“Public health has been brought to the forefront in medicine and also in peoples lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health is concerned with the general well-being of members in society. Should I be elected as SCOPH officer, I will make it my priority to ensure that public health issues within the population are tackled in the best possible way. I would also make it a priority to ensure that medical students will receive the necessary exposure to patient interaction and also become familiar with taking some basic clinical examinations. “

Gabriel also summarised his idea and plan for the office in this Comment:

“I believe that as a standing committee our 3 main objectives should be: education, outreach and inclusion. In addition, I believe that SCOPH is a great platform not just for medical students but also for the general population.”

For more details about Gabriel’s  plan of action click here!

Supervising Council Without EB experience:  

 This year the Supervising Council without EB experience has Three candidates Running for  one position All of which are MD2 students. These are : Gabriel Camilleri, Daniel Zammit Lupi and Gerard Zammit Young.

Gabriel Camilleri: 

Gabriel occupied many roles in MMSA during his two years in Medicine. This includes Peer Education Coordinator and TRD Ceremonies Coordinator. He believes that his experience in these roles among others made him obtain the necessary skill set and experience to occupy SupCo position with no EB experience. 

In his candidature announcement he showcases his plans for the roles by stating:

“If elected, I will always carry out this role based on 3 core values;  transparency, impartiality, and fairness within the organisation. I would like to see SupCo as a fair, available and trust-worthy body which advices and assists the work of our Board of Directors whilst also serving as a bridge between our members and BD. With your support, I would be able to give back to MMSA what it has given to me during these past two years.” 

In a comment obtained by The Third Eye here is what Gabriel had to say:

“I believe that this role is the best manner to continue contributing to our beautiful organisation and give it a brighter future. If elected, I will always carry out this role based on 3 core values; transparency, impartility and fairness. I would like to see SupCo as a fair, available and trust-worthy body which advices and assists the work of our Board of Directors whilst also serving as a bridge between our members and this year’s BD.”

For more details about Gabriel’s  plan of action click here!

Daniel Zammit Lupi

Daniel occupied the roles of SCOPH goes local Co-ordinator and Non-Communicable disease Co-ordinator among being part of other events organised by different Standing committees of MMSA. It is through his roles as co-ordinator he had the chance to get a closer look into MMSA internal organisation while also positioning him in an engaging position with students. 

In his Candidature announcement post he stated what he want to implement within the role:

“I wish to establish a more communicative society within MMSA, bringing all our members together in a coherent and cooperative fashion. Optimizing the flow of information and smooth handling of functionality is at the top of my list. I want to shed light on what the supervising council actually is, that it is there to help members along the way and not punish them. It is imperative that SupCo helps carry the weight of MMSA and is always there to steer us back on track when problems arise. I will ensure that the right changes are made and that they are made for the right reasons. The implementation of justice, equality and unity is an absolute must, allowing every single student to have a voice which is heard fairly by everyone in our community.”

Daniel summarised his plans for the position by saying:

“If elected, I promise to ensure a more unified environment pillared on stronger communication and equality amongst all students. Tackling and preventing conflict is also a huge priority” 

For more details about Daniel’s plan of action click here!

Gerard Zammit Young

Gerard is an MD2 student and the current MD2 class representative with plenty of experiences as Back to basic-curriculum orientation Co-ordinator, Class representation, MD1 buddy, Blood and organ donation Co-ordinator among many others. Through his various roles Gerard has realised how important this role is and how he can contribute to it. 

In his Candidature announcement post Gerard explained his reasoning to run for this position by saying:

“Being an active member within MMSA throughout both years of my medical school experience has equipped me with a great amount of knowledge about the association’s inner workings, and I feel that I have grown into a strong advocate for medical students’ rights. If entrusted with this role, I will work to guarantee medical students’ rights, as well as work to make SupCo more accessible, transparent, and fair.” 

In a comment obtained from Gerard this what he had to say:

“Through my work within MMSA, I have gained a deeper appreciation of SupCo, and should you entrust me with the role, I vow to listen to students and work tirelessly in pursuit of justice. I will do my utmost to ensure that SupCo is an impartial, accessible, and transparent body working in the best interest of the organisation and its members. ”

For more details about Gerard’s plan of action click here!

Timeline for the election:

Candidate presentation will take place on Tuesday 22nd of march at 4 pm while Debate for contested positions will take place on Wednesday 23th  hosted and organised by the electoral committee. Thursday 24th will be a silent day and elections will take place on Friday 25th. 

The Third Eye wishes all candidates good luck in the upcoming elections.

The post MMSA Election Rundown appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Gabriel Grixti and Daniel Zammit Lupi from MMSA

As MMSA, this year we are re-introducing the ‘Diabetes Awareness Campaign’ in the hopes of reaching out to the public about this extremely prevalent disease. It is estimated that 422 million people have the condition worldwide, and this number is expected to rise further within the next decade. We believe that people should be made more aware of this disease which affects quite a large percentage of our population.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the blood glucose level (or blood sugar) is too high. Glucose is the main source of energy for our cells and it comes from the food that we eat. Insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids the uptake of glucose so that it may be transformed into energy. Sometimes the body does not produce enough insulin or loses its ability to use it. When this happens, glucose remains in the blood leading to a high blood glucose level.

The main types of diabetes are: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes) is a chronic condition which occurs when the body does not make insulin. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, as the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas (beta cells) that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to control their blood glucose.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin to cope with the body’s demands or it loses its sensitivity to use insulin. Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, however, it more commonly develops in middle-aged and older people. This is the most common type of diabetes. People having this type of diabetes are able to somewhat better control their blood glucose levels when compared to type 1 diabetes who need to take daily insulin.

Gestational diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy. Typically, this type of diabetes goes away after the mother gives birth. However, if you have had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. Any woman can develop this during pregnancy, but women with the following risk factors are predisposed: BMI above 30, previously having a baby who weighed 4.5kg or more at birth, or having an immediate family member diagnosed with diabetes, amongst others.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The symptoms of diabetes and the presentation is not always the same. Certain symptoms only occur in either men or women. In addition to this, they also differ in people having type-1 or type-2 diabetes. However, there are some general symptoms common to all. These general symptoms include increased hunger and thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, blurry vision and sores that do not heal. Men who have diabetes could also exhibit the following symptoms: decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction and loss of strength. Diabetic women are more prone to urinary tract infections, yeast infections and dry skin.

What are the complications of diabetes?

High blood sugar damages organs and tissues all over the body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater the risk of complications. Complications associated with diabetes include: heart disease, heart attack and stroke, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), eye damage (retinopathy), vision loss, hearing loss, foot damage, ulceration which may lead to amputation and depression. People with type 2 diabetes also have an increased risk of dementia (Alzheimer’s). In gestational diabetes, complications include pre-eclampsia and also a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Preventing Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes unfortunately could not do anything to prevent them from getting the chronic disease. However, type 2 diabetes which is the most common form of the disease, can be prevented. One can take the following measures to prevent developing this form of diabetes.

1. Reducing sugar and refined carbs from your diet
2. Keeping active
3. Drinking water as the primary beverage
4. Maintaining a healthy weight Being overweight enhances your chances of developing type 2 diabetes 7-fold
5. Quitting smoking Smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes when compared to non-smokers. Smoking can also make managing the disease difficult because high levels of nicotine can lessen the effectiveness of insulin causing smokers to need more insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Studies have found insulin to become more effective at lowering blood glucose levels just 8 weeks after quitting smoking
6. Following a very-low-carb diet
7. Reducing stress Stress hormones raise blood pressure and heart rate causing blood glucose levels to rise. Stress can lead to excessive smoking and eating which increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications but the condition can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. One of the most important notions in medicine is understanding that PREVENTION is BETTER than cure, therefore by focusing on PREVENTION and adapting the appropriate lifestyle changes one can avoid developing the complications and struggles that arise from this disease.

Diabetes awareness campaign on Quad

On Wednesday 24^th November from 12pm to 2pm, the Public Health team within MMSA will be organising health checks as part of the ‘Diabetes Awareness Campaign’ on quadrangle for University students and staff to get their blood glucose and blood pressure checked. We hope to see you there!

References

1. Diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose concentration, and risk of vascular disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of 102 prospective studies. Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration
2. Diabetes. Who.int. (2021). Retrieved 31 October 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes.
3. What is Diabetes?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Retrieved 31 October 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html.
4. Diabetes Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Retrieved 31 October 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html.
5. Asif M. (2014). The prevention and control the type-2 diabetes by changing lifestyle and dietary pattern. Journal of education and health promotion, 3, 1. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9531.127541

Find more articles by MMSA here.

The post A Diabetes Awareness Campaign | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Anneka Pace and David Magri

Being that we live on an island which is enveloped by beaches, we spend the majority of our free time during the summer months frequenting the seaside. With this comes increased exposure to the sun. Although beneficial to a certain degree, as it alleviates stress and boosts our immune system, it can be detrimental beyond such levels.

As medical students, we believe it is our duty to educate the general public about the consequences of excessive sun exposure to help prevent and mitigate the risks imposed by such harmful UV rays. Through the Standing Committee Of Public Health within the Malta Medical Students’ Association, a campaign is launched annually.

“Beat the Burn” aims to raise awareness about these dangers and the ways in which one can combat such risks.

The harm imposed on us by the sun manifests itself through many skin-related problems. These cane be severe sunburns, blisters, premature ageing and even skin cancer.

Meet UV A, UV B & UV C

Radiation of the sun’s light consists of invisible UV rays. The UV rays emitted by the sun are of 3 types: UVA, UVB and UVC.

• UVC: Has the shortest wavelength of all UV rays and never reaches the earth as the ozone layer absorbs it, thus it is not usually considered a risk for skin cancer.

UVA and UVB are the real culprits for damage brought about by the sun. Due to their longer wavelengths, these rays penetrate the skin.

• UVB: Strongly linked to cancer and tends to damage the skin’s top layers.
• UVA: Has the highest wavelength of the three, penetrates farthest, and thus plays a role in skin ageing and wrinkling.

When these rays make contact with skin, they cause damage to the skin by burning it. The strength of the sun’s UV rays is quantified through the UV index.

The higher the UV index value, the stronger the sun’s rays. This, therefore, emphasises the need for protection against these rays. Being that the usual UV index in the summer months is between 8-10, adequate protection is required. This will help lessen the repercussions of these preventable illnesses.

The effect of UV rays in Malta

Being a prominent carcinogen (an agent with the capacity to cause cancer in humans), UV radiation can result in basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Although this form of radiation does not penetrate deep into the skin, it is also responsible for being a major risk factor for melanomas (a form of skin cancer that begins in the cells (melanocytes) that control the pigment in your skin).

It has been reported that throughout the years, the incidence of invasive malignant melanoma in Malta has increased. This further drives the motivation behind our efforts to raise awareness to children and adults alike to take this message seriously. In fact, in Malta, the number of cases of such skin cancer has doubled in the last two decades. According to statistics, one in eight people dies due to this in Malta, which can be cured if caught early!

It is notable to mention that the incidence of skin cancer and melanoma differs in different racial populations. Light-skinned people are more susceptible to skin cancer than dark-skinned people. Their predisposition is due to their decreased melanin levels in comparison to darker people. Melanin, a skin pigment, is considered to offer protection from UV radiation. Therefore, extra caution is required by light-skinned people due to this.

How can I protect myself from the UV rays?

With the ever-increasing temperatures and continuous heat waves we are experiencing, it is of utmost importance that people keep cool and hydrated.

The use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher is salient. It is advised that one should apply it at least 20 minutes prior to going out, and every 2 hours after that.

It is also wise that one avoids the strongest rays of the day which are between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm. One can also follow up on the shadow rule, which states that when a person’s shadow is shorter than the person is tall, the intensity of UVR from the sun is more likely to cause sunburn. In such situations, people should seek shade.

Besides this, one should cover up when possible. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat helps to shield the sun’s rays away from prime areas for skin cancer which are the scalp and face.

Sunglasses should also be worn. One must ensure that when purchasing a pair that they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.  It is also recommended that cold showers are taken to help soothe the burn. After-sun products or aloe-vera gel can be further useful!

With all this being said, fear of exposure to the sun is unnecessary when one takes all the precautions required to attenuate such risks. However, if one continuously fails to do so, long term repercussions may result.

Our campaign’s efforts with regards to awareness-raising are not rooted in steering clear of the sun, but rather striking a balance. One can have fun in the sun while also successfully managing to beat the burn.

Check out MMSA’s previous article here!

The post Beat the Burn: UV Rays And Ways To Combat Them | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Michaela Abela

With the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines in Malta, came the need for trained individuals to distribute them to the population. With the hands of most medical professionals being full with the ongoing pandemic, the health authorities turned to medical students to help out. As always, the Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) with great responsibility, keenly accepted this request and quickly gathered and is coordinating about 170 medical students who were very eager to help out with this vaccination process.

Medical students across all 5 years, are currently volunteering at vaccination hubs at the University of Malta, MCAST, SCSA St. Venera, Naxxar and Aurora Gozo.  Here, the students are under the guidance and supervision of various medical professionals and entrusted with various roles including the preparation and administration of the vaccines and vetting of patients. Students have the knowledge to answer questions posed to them by the public, debunk some myths and give reassurance about the safety of vaccines.

Vaccination Process

In preparation, students were given access to an online training course to provide them with more information regarding the vaccine, its preparation and administration. This was  then further strengthened with in person training and supervision to ensure everyone is sufficiently trained to safely administer the vaccine.

For some time, a number of preclinical medical students were also helping out at Mater Dei hospital with some administrative work and in other areas as required.

Sharing Experiences

Coordinating such voluntary opportunities takes lots of time and effort to organise and carry out, however, we are very grateful for them and are always more than happy to support the health authorities in any way, wherever possible. The response from students for such opportunities is always overwhelming so we asked two students to tell us all about their experience.

Sam Fleri Soler- 4th Year

After my great experience last year at the COVID Helpline, which was equally as fun and fulfilling, as the new opportunity to volunteer at the vaccine hubs was announced, I definitely did not think twice before signing up. Prior to starting, we were given access to online training which thoroughly explained how to prepare and administer the vaccines, which was then strengthened by training given by experienced tutors during our first shift. This opportunity has been very satisfying since we are directly involved in the whole vaccination drive and are helping hundreds of people per day to become vaccinated. Besides this, it has helped me to further improve my communication skills, practical skills and especially my ‘bedside manners’ when dealing with people who are afraid of needles or debunking myths that people have read online and putting their minds at rest. All in all it has been an invaluable experience so far and I am looking forward to the shifts to come.

Gerard Zammit Young – 1st year

After MMSA introduced us to an opportunity to volunteer, I felt a sense of duty to help out. From helping with administrative work behind the scenes, to administering the vaccines myself on the frontline, I feel that this opportunity has taught me valuable lessons in working in a clinical environment. With the training given and constant supervision provided during the vaccination process, as well as the buddy system introduced, I felt quite prepared to give the vaccine. As a pre-clinical student, the chance to come in contact with patients at such an early stage has greatly improved my communication and people-oriented skills, all while fulfilling a duty to help out during this once in a lifetime situation.

Concluding Words

MMSA has been helping out through such voluntary opportunities since the beginning of the pandemic in Malta. Over the past year, we helped out at the 111 helpline, 112 control room at Mater Dei, Situation Monitoring at MDH and also at swabbing centres.
(Michaela Abela, Jonathan George Grima and Gerard Zammit Young are coordinating the vaccination voluntary opportunity for medical students.)

More on MMSA’s COVID-19 Volunteering Experience here!

(Photo courtesy of MMSA)

The post Medical Students Help out with COVID-19 Vaccinations | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

This article has been written in collaboration with ESO

Trust is at the centre of a doctor-patient relationship: trust in the practitioner’s capabilities but also trusting that the patient will follow the famed ‘doctor’s orders’. In a world reeling due to a destructive pandemic that has lead to healthcare workers taking on a heroic image, surely the level of trust must have increased and is unanimous amongst physicians and patients globally…

Is trust in doctors high?

Yes, research shows that trust in healthcare workers was very high and remained so in the pandemic. However, an anecdotal dive into social media comment sections is enough to seriously challenge this idea; with many individuals placing very little faith in doctors, sharing numerous conspiracy theories, and promoting alternative/borderline dangerous suggestions or points of care.

Where do such viewpoints arise from?

Hesitancy and mistrust in doctors stem from a number of factors, namely negative past experience, but also due to broader influences that may be misconstrued as being confounding. A common example of such influences is the political context that is affecting a country’s healthcare system, say by supranational institutions such as the European Union. ‘The EU wants our money… we have lost our sovereignty and independence… they are interfering with our healthcare…’ – common gripes amongst the ill-informed.

This, of course, cannot be further from the truth. The European Union has formed the European Health Union (EHU) in order to draw lessons from the Covid-19 crisis: to repair and prepare for the future. Pandemics and illness know no border, therefore unilateral action by countries would reap very few benefits compared to a strong EHU with 27 member states’ as its foundation. Through the EHU, the EU wishes to achieve a number of goals.

What will the European Health Union do?

1. Coordinating efforts at a European level will mitigate problems caused by the closing of borders, which hampered people’s freedom of movement and trade.
2. Misinformation on health issues will be tackled in order to reduce skepticism on health measures.
3. In addition, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), will be able to deliver hands-on support to member states and provide recommended health measures (not direct orders), tailored to the specific needs of the state.
4. Shortages of medicinal products and medical devices and facilitation of new treatments will be addressed through the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as authorisation of vaccines.

As can be seen, these objectives have member states’ autonomy at their forefront, whilst bringing with them advantages which only such a union can offer. In particular, point 2 should work wonders for maintaining the high level of trust which the healthcare industry enjoys; this is crucial in any era, especially our current times. 

What are the implications of a reduced sense of trust in the health sector, particularly in doctors?

There is tangible evidence that points to a strong correlation between patient satisfaction and trust in their doctor, but perhaps surprisingly, also a moderate correlation between trust and health outcome. In other words, the more trust is placed in the doctor, the more likely it is for the patient’s prognosis to be favourable. It is therefore clearly in our best interest as European citizens to praise and look forward to similar initiatives such as the EHU, for a better Malta now and in the future.

Check out MMSA’s previous article here!

The post The EU’s impact on a trusted healthcare system | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Leonie Mifsud, 3RD Year Medical Student

Dabbling around with drugs has become quite accepted nowadays. However, irrespective of this ever-growing drug usage, addiction is still a taboo topic. The MMSA’s Standing Committee for Human Rights and Peace will be working on a campaign called Aware in Care. It will focus on educating medical students on how to handle certain patients presenting with difficult socio-cultural problems. Addiction will be one of these topics discussed.

When simply scratching the surface, it is very easy to state that addiction is a problem that is brought about by that very person.  One can simply argue that it was that person’s choice to initially start using. Or, that there is such a thing as free will. Then the blame falls wholly on that person for ‘deciding’ to become an addict. However, one ought to look into these types of situations from a deeper perspective. Then, one can quickly realise that these people become victims of a vicious cycle that is almost impossibly hard to break out of. It is also important to look into why that person initially started to make use of drugs.

Difficult upbringings in relation to drug usage

The majority of these people would have had very difficult upbringings. While a difficult childhood doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to make all the wrong choices in life, making the right ones can be much more challenging.  A simple conversation with them can quickly get you off your moral high horse. It gets you to begin to understand that while everyone is free to make their own choices, it is almost impossible to make the right one when the options life has presented you with were all wrong.   

What we are trying to strive for through this campaign is to break the idea that a patient’s drug problem is their own fault. This type of misconception can push the addict to feel ashamed. This pushes the person further away from seeking the necessary treatment. Furthermore, this type of stigma can intensify that person’s drug use. Imagine already having a massive problem like addiction and then being met with judgment when you finally decide

‘Aware in Care’ Campaign

Ultimately, the whole point of this campaign is, as the name suggests; raising awareness in this regard amongst our future doctors, with the hope that it translates into genuine care. Every human being has their own thoughts and pre-determined ideas about people. It simply boils down to realizing and understanding those ideas, putting them aside, and looking at people from all different walks of life from the most neutral and unbiased perspective possible. This is particularly crucial for the health care professional, as gaining trust through care is the foundation for being able to start helping these people, and for them to start accepting that genuine help.

The Aware in Care campaign will also be educating and raising awareness about various topics. These include LGBTIQ+ sexual history taking, GBV and sexual assault along with refugee and migrants’ health, and discrimination, and xenophobia in the health sector.

The post Breaking the stigma surrounding drug abuse | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Michaela Abela

Our social media is inundated with false information about the best use of protective measures, some of which even questions their validity.

Masks help slow down the spread of COVID-19 by providing a barrier to prevent respiratory droplets from travelling through the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask sneezes, coughs, or talks.

Masks are an effective source of protection only if used correctly.

• Your mask must cover your mouth, nose, and chin and should fit snugly around your face without any gaps on the sides. Do not put the mask down around your neck or remove it to talk to someone. Change your mask once it gets dirty or wet.

• Always perform hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after wearing your mask.

• You must never touch the front of your mask. Should you touch your mask disinfect your hands immediately. Touching your mask with dirty hands may contaminate your mask and increase your risk of infection. Your mask may also be contaminated so, touching the front part may contaminate your hands which will then in turn contaminate other surfaces you may touch after.

• When removing your fabric mask, bend your head forward and remove from the straps behind your ears, pulling it away from your face as you do so. Fold the outside corners together and store in a clean resealable bag.

• To reuse your fabric mask, remove it from the bag handling it only from the straps. Make sure it is not dirty or wet before wearing.

• Fabric masks must be washed at least once a day in hot water (at least 60 °C) using soap or detergent.

• Make sure you always have your own mask and never share it with others!

Face masks should be worn in all public areas, and ideally also when around people who are not from your household, especially where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that fabric masks are not considered as personal protective equipment. Thus, fabric masks are not recommended for healthcare providers in a health care setting and for vulnerable populations such as people over the age of 60 or those with underlying medical conditions. Such individuals are advised to wear a medical mask.

Remember, the use of a fabric mask alone is not enough to provide an adequate level of protection against COVID-19. Maintain at least 1 meter of physical distancing and clean your hands often. Frequently touched objects should also be disinfected, and should you feel unwell, stay home and call 111.

Stay safe and let’s all prevent the spread of COVID-19!

The post Why should we wear a fabric mask? | MMSA appeared first on The Third Eye.