IFMSA

International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)

IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations) is an international medical student organization dedicated to improving Global Health and the development of future doctors and (para)medical professionals. Founded in 1951, IFMSA is one of the oldest and largest student organizations in the world. Globally, IFMSA represents 1.3 million medical students from more than 130 countries. IFMSA is officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and collaborates with entities such as the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and the World Medical Association (WMA).

In the Netherlands, IFMSA is represented at all eight medical faculties by approximately 900 active members. IFMSA-Leiden is a local branch of IFMSA and consists of about 100 enthusiastic members who work together to improve Global Health. They do this through various projects, divided into five themes:

• Internships: Clinical internships, Research internships
• Public Health: Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH), mini-TBH, Berendokter, Tools to Health, Old but Gold, What The Actual
• Medical Education: Medical Language, MEntal, General Lectures, Pregnancy Project
• Human Rights and Peace: International Focus Days, Common Sense, "Alles Kids", Book Club, Charity Iftar
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Campaigns, Foreplay, Teenwise

In addition, IFMSA takes care of all its own promotion thanks to the Public Relations working group. This group supports all projects by creating Instagram posts, reels, and promotional messages. In this way, the group helps raise awareness about Global Health. IFMSA-Leiden also has a Sponsorship Taskforce, which supports the financing of projects, and a Sustainability Taskforce, which works on making the foundation and its projects more sustainable.

Finally, IFMSA-Leiden also has its social activities working group, which organizes many fun events for its members. These include activities such as social events after meetings, the members’ weekend, and an end-of-year beach party. For more information, visit www.ifmsa.nl/leiden!

Become a member or participate?

Would you like to participate in an activity? You don’t need to be a member of IFMSA to join. Most projects are open to anyone interested in healthcare and Global Health.

Additionally, it is of course possible to become a member and contribute to the organization of a project. You will then work within a committee on projects in a specific theme. For more information, you can email leiden@ifmsa.nl. You can sign up to become a member of IFMSA-Leiden around March and October via www.ifmsa.nl/leiden.

Finally, follow IFMSA-Leiden on Instagram and Linkedin to stay up to date and get an overview of all upcoming projects. Questions? Email leiden@ifmsa.nl or send us a message on our social media.