Medical Students’ Association of India (MSAI) also known as IFMSA India (International Federation of Medical Students’ Association), the largest medical student organization for the Indian subcontinent involving more than 5000 students from over 100 different medical colleges, will host IFMSA’s 61st General Assembly - August Meeting 2012 (GA – AM 2012) in Mumbai at Renaissance Convention Center Hotel from August 9-15, 2012. The IFMSA India has won the bid to host this prestigious Assembly and the focus of which will be universal healthcare.
India is one of the most lucrative locations in terms of healthcare industries and has the world’s third largest pharmaceutical industry in terms of volume. With this knowledge and the strength of the Medical Students’ Association India backing him, Pratap Naidu, president, IFMSA India set out to get recognition for India in the IFMSA. March 6th 2012 saw one of the objectives come true where India was proudly welcomed with a standing ovation at the General Assembly at Ghana. After a full year of hard work, formulation of constitution, organizing health camps and workshops, it finally paid off as India proved that it was worthy of being a member.
The General Assembly in Mumbai will welcome 1000 delegates from 104 countries to be a part of this esteemed initiative.
"The support that we received from our country to get India the membership was outstanding. The organization is only getting bigger and better and now that India is included in the IFMSA, it's only gotten us more respect and responsibility. The hard work put in by the entire team of IFMSA- India has totally paid off. We are overwhelmed with joy to host this event", Pratap Naidu said.
This year’s theme of Universal Health Care - sometimes referred to as universal health coverage, universal coverage, universal care or social health protection – aims to discuss health care systems organized around providing a specified package of benefit to all members of a society with the end goal of providing financial risk protection, improved access to health services and improved health outcomes.
Sushmita Kothapalli, VPE IFMSA India, said: “The only driving force in IFMSA India is the passion of Indian medical students wanting to have an organization that bridges them to the international community and we are committed to it. Finally, the medical student fraternity of India would benefit the opportunities of electives, foreign education and better learning in an easier way. And the volunteer work done by them would only help improve the public health standards of the country.”
IFMSA India believes nothing is impossible and had taken the challenge to host the 61st General Assembly of IFMSA August Meeting, probably the youngest candidate Nation Member Organization in the history of IFMSA who will be organizing the General Assembly. The preparations to host IFMSA's 61st GA - AM 2012 India is in full swing, and promises to be an educative and result-driven GA with the Indian experience blended.
For further details, visit IFMSA website: http://www.msa-india.org