MMSA

M atthew Baldacchino and Matthew Valentino are practically the same age, both medical students at the University of Malta and both members of the Malta Medical Students Association. As of October 2013 they are now both also representing Malta in the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), in posts which help keep the Maltese medical students community in high profile.

Matthew Valentino who is a third year student, is the new Regional Assistant for Human Rights & Peace within the international association whilst Matthew Baldacchino who is a fourth year student is the new Regional Assistant for Public Health in Europe. Both roles have their own individual responsibilities. Both students explain more about these roles …

Matthew V says, “We were both on the executive board of the MMSA up to last year and this enabled us to attend several different international meetings and conferences. It was a great way of learning more about the structure of the MMSA as well as the responsibilities linked to any one of the posts associated with it.” Matthew B continues, “We started out as national officers within the local association and met each other via the MMSA. As things stand, our roles within the IFMSA will stretch on through to October 2014 when the new officers will get elected.”

The international association is a great place wherein to share resources, access reports and research, and attend meetings online or in person. With an assured European-wide participation, each activity provides ample scope for communicating and socialising on a common front.

“As Regional Assistant for Human Rights & Peace, my post comes as the United Nations celebrates the 20 years anniversary of the founding of its Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. I have also been invited to specific high-profile events including two IFMSA General Assemblies, in March and in August. It is estimated that these conferences will attract some 800 students each from all over the world. The delegations are usually invited to participate in five-day sessions which focus on specific areas to share ideas and concepts.”

On his part Matthew B has always been interested in public health and thus, his opportunity to experience that on an international level offers great scope for his career prospects. Whilst each student is still at a learning level, such experiences help shape their ideas and aspirations for the future.

Matthew V’s direct superior within the IFMSA is from Slovakia, whilst Matthew B’s head is Bulgarian. This also meetingpeople 24 means that both young men are strengthening their knowledge of working with people coming from diverse backgrounds, cultures and work ethics, yet sharing the very same common aim of improving health conditions, medical services, research options and more.

Matthew B confirms, “It is a huge social learning experience that involves constant outreach. We actually have specific responsibilities tied to community networking locally and obviously our foreign experiences help us in this.” As he plans his first exchange abroad, Matthew B tells me more about how he represented Malta in Prague in 2012 at an international conference and also about conferences attended in Baltimore and Chile. On his part, Matthew V has already experienced a student exchange in the Netherlands. “It was an observatory experience rather than anything else. I observed some 35 surgeries which was great experience – of course I was not allowed to do anything else apart from observing. I also travelled to conferences via the MMSA, once to India, another time to Italy and a third time to Slovakia. The great thing is that the MMSA takes care of all the organisational part for students and also covers some travelling costs.”

As these 21-year-olds explain, these opportunities as part and parcel of being an MMSA member. “Once you are a medical student, you automatically become an MMSA member. However many students take this for granted and are not at all aware of the great benefits an active membership can provide. Being pro-active leads to great opportunities – and they’re all there for the taking, if students bother about it. We are certainly glad we did!”