AMSAHK > Executive Committee > Standing Committee on Public Health
(From left to right: Gabrielle Yuen [Officer], Derek Hung [Director],
Elizabeth Chuk [Director], Bernadette Cheng [Officer])
The Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) has always been an integral part of IFMSA. Its mission is to improve public health globally for a healthier tomorrow. The committee aims to empower knowledge and awareness upon medical students, health professionals, and the general public on health issues; to train medical students in their role as public health advocators both locally and internationally through the many offered exchange opportunities; and to continue and sustain SCOPH projects and activities in the future.
Year 2007 - The Beginning
In 10th February, 2007, SCOPH was finally brought to Hong Kong. With the collaboration of the Hong Kong delegates of AMSC 2007, SCOPH was able to offer the community its very first health awareness event: a city-wide colorectal cancer marathon promotion. That day, some thirty medical students gathered together offering simple, yet valuable facts of this disease by giving out souvenir cards, as well as wearing full-body-sized posters on their backs. This large-scale promotion was a first in the history of AMSAHK and was definitely a great start for the newly-established committee.
Year 2008 - Food Safety and Health - Salt and Sugar
Year 2008 was AMSAHK’s Year of
Advancement. SCOPH will devote all strengths and efforts in providing
the citizens of Hong Kong with information related to our theme of Food
Safety and Health with its main focus on the usage of salt and sugar:
how much is too much; what are their harmful effects; how can they be
used less in daily cooking; are replacements such as aspartame good? All
these information will be presented to the community as this year’s
extravaganza on June 28th, 2008. This full-day public workshop will include
talks given by guest speakers, a poster exhibition, an interactive zone
filled with fun games, free health check-ups…and much more.
Year 2009 - Food Safety and Personal Hygiene
In continuation of our theme in year 2008, SCOPH brought the important health messages of Food Safety and Personal Hygiene to the roots of the community. SCOPH conducted interactive workshops with the primary schools in Hong Kong. Interesting games and discussions were introduced in the workshop to enhance the students’ impression of the various messages conveyed: the seven steps of hand-washing, correct storage methods in the fridge, tips on food safety in daily eating.
In November 2009, SCOPH conducted its AMSC’09 post-conference project in collaboration with the Hong Kong delegation team. The committee had carried out an exhibition and art gallery, exhibiting the artworks of the mental illness patients, in the central campus of both The Chinese university of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong. SCOPH was honored to be able to bring the local medical students into the Mental illness hospital – The Castle Peak Hospital for first hand experience with the mental health service provided in Hong Kong.
Year 2010 - Elderly Health
In the Year 2010, SCOPH has devoted its efforts in promoting healthy aging messages to the elderly in the community. The community is conducting workshops and basic health check at elderly centres in different districts in Hong Kong. In collaboration with the local medical students and non-governmental organizations, SCOPH aims to extent their care and service to the elderly who lives alone in the community.