President of Tanzania Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE on the optimism of Africa, the ability to overcome the challenges of poverty and a reminder to the world to meet the promises made to Africa over the years.
Without in any way neglecting many grim realities in my part of the world, I want to say clearly that Africa is not a basket case, and above all not a cause for despair. In fact, it is just the opposite. We in Africa view the coming years with great hope and excitement.
Full article at - http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1720049_1722077_1722011,00.html
April 6th, 2008
 No conference on the developing world would be complete without an address from Dr Rowan Gillies, who has worked with MSF in countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. Dr Gillies was president of MSF Australia in 2002 and then international president from 2004, at age 33, until this year.
MSF is an independent international medical relief organisation that aids victims of armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, and others who lack health care due to geographic remoteness or ethnic marginalisation. MSF is an independent organisation, with more than 85% of funding from private rather than government sources. The intent of MSF is to be apolitical, however as Dr Gillies pointed out, the results of their presence are often very political, as the very fact that they have to be there often exposes failed government systems. MSF act impartially – just as we don’t ask patients in Sydney who they vote for before supplying treatment, nor do MSF care which “side” the people it treats are on. This neutrality makes MSF unique, allowing it access to areas other NGOs cannot go. MSF doctors however do have a responsibility to describe what they see.
Dr Gillies had some touching insights into his journey from intern to international president. On reflecting on his intern year, Gillies said he had been warned about feeling tired and stressed, and how his interest levels might wane at times. However no one had warned him that humanity fluctuates as well. His advice was to be aware that this happens, recognise it and deal with it. He urged young doctors to remember the importance of the event of being sick and in hospital to the patient compared to the importance of the event to you. Even though the patient is just one of thirty you may have had to see that day, it is important to retain your humanity and remember the privilege of being involved with a person at such a pivotal time in their life.
Dr Gillies’ reflections of the importance of humanity no doubt stem from his numerous experiences with conflict, death and inhumanity in the field, and reinforce the point that working in the developing world can very much improve your practice as a doctor at home. When asked what he felt the sacrifices of working with MSF had been, Dr Gillies reminded us that being a consultant does not necessarily have to be the pinnacle of every medical career. And if you take the time out to work overseas the end difference could be as little as being a consultant for 25 years instead of 27 years, which at the end of the day is hardly a sacrifice when you consider all that can be learned and given through working with those in less fortunate circumstances than the majority of Australians.
February 9th, 2008
Check out this site about the Millenium development goals to end poverty by 2015, and get involved:
http://www.endpoverty2015.org/
Forgotten what the goals are?:
Also, there are some interesting blogs on the issue of poverty and what others around the world are doing about it at:
http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/blog
November 6th, 2007
