Medical Students Worldwide Announce Priorities for World Health Assembly 69

The World Health Assembly brings together decision makers and leaders from around the world to discuss crucial issues impact health and our communities. As the official representative of medical students worldwide, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) announces the following topics as key strategic priorities for their participation in the meeting:

• Reaching Universal Health Coverage through Health Workforce Planning, and the adoption of the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health
• Meaningful youth engagement at all decision and implementation levels in global health governance
• Universal Health Coverage
• Spurious/Substandard/Falsified/Falsely-labeled/Counterfeit medical products
• Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Preparation and Youth Empowerment

In preparation of the World Health Assembly, fifty young people from all regions and different disciplines will gather in Geneva between May 18th-22nd, hosted by IFMSA and with the support of the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Global Health Workforce Alliance. The aims of the workshop were both to empower youth with essential skills in global health diplomacy and leadership, negotiation for the improvement of global health, as well as to streamline advocacy efforts, priorities and strategies for the upcoming World Health Assembly.

About IFMSA

The International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) envisions a world in which all medical students unite for global health and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally. Founded in 1951, IFMSA today represents a network of 1.3 million medical students through its 127 national member organizations in 119 countries.

The following table summarizes the reach of the federation:

Global Health Leadership and Impact

Global health leadership reflects American values and represents an enormous return on investment for the American people. America’s global health programs are the envy of the world. As the Administration releases its Global Health Strategy, these investments stop the spread of infectious diseases at our borders and save the lives of millions of people every year.