FCMD News

  • Home /
  • FCMD News /
  • Medical Students Gear up for Medical Week Under the Theme: “Research, Innovation and Professionalism in the Medical Sector.”

Medical Students Gear up for Medical Week Under the Theme: “Research, Innovation and Professionalism in the Medical Sector.”

Medical Students Gear up for Medical Week Under the Theme: “Research, Innovation and Professionalism in the Medical Sector.”

KIU, Western Campus – It’s that time of the year, once again, when medical students gather around to talk about all things medicine and impact their communities at the same time. Our Deputy Public Relations Officer, Collins Kakwezi caught up with the President of the Association of Medical Students of Kampala International University (AMSKIU), Grace Walusimbi, a fifth-year student of Bachelor of Clinical Medicine, to chat about the medical week which takes place from 9th to 13th March.

 

Q. Good Morning Grace. Tell us about the medical week?

 

A. The medical week is an array of activities meant to celebrate the medical profession, being held under the theme, “Research, Innovation and Professionalism in the Medical Sector.”

 

Q. What activities are there?

 

A. On Monday, we shall be cleaning Ishaka market to kick start our activities. But other activities include male circumcision, HIV testing and screening, Hepatitis B testing, blood donation, health talks to neighbouring primary and secondary schools, stress management talk, medical marathon, capacity building workshop about research and innovation, sports gala and white coat ceremony.

 

Q. White coat ceremony? What’s that?

 

A. The white coat ceremony is where we shall be giving new medical students free clinical coats as part of their initiation into the medical school. The purpose of this is to equip them with the humanism of the medical profession – how they are supposed to behave and treat patients as well as the ethics and integrity of medical doctors. They will also be taking the Hippocratic Oath and be initiated by Rev. Dr Sam Lubega, the Chairperson of the Uganda Education Commission and a senior surgeon as well.

 

Q. These are quite a number of activities. As students, how will you handle all this?

 

A. We will be working with Reproductive Health Uganda for these activities, but also our patron Prof. Robinson Ssebuufu (Dean of Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry) will be guiding us through all of this. Most of the activities, however, will be undertaken by students, under direct supervision from our lecturers.

 

Q. I heard you talk about a marathon. Tell us about it.

 

A. The medical marathon will be held under the theme “Improving Maternal and Newborn Health in Bushenyi District.” Participants will buy kits at UGX 10,000, and all proceeds will go towards the cause for which we are running.

 

Q. We wish you all the best Grace!

 

A. Thank you, Collins. Lastly, I would like to encourage all students and members of the KIU fraternity to participate. We have had talk shows on radio and the community is aware. So, let’s go serve them.