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.