Millennium Development Goals Teaching Needed For Global Health, Australian Medical Students' Association

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) called for greater emphasis on teaching of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in all Australian medical schools.

Adopted by the UN in 2000, the Millennium Development Goals are a universally recognised framework that aims to advance global development and health by 2015 through eight key targets.

AMSA President Michael Bonning said that many of the Goals represent global health challenges in which the medical profession will need to play a significant role, now and into the future.

"It is critical for medical students to grasp an understanding of this framework for global health development during their medical education if the Millennium Development Goals are to be achieved," Mr Bonning said.

A recent survey of 2000 Australian medical students has revealed that over 65% of medical students are not aware of the Millennium Development Goals.

"If the Millennium Development Goals are to spark a sustained global response, there needs to be a wide-spread awareness of these fundamental issues within the medical community," Mr Bonning said.

"This can most effectively be achieved through providing a comprehensive overview of the Millennium Development Goals during medical school," he said.

AMSA supports the example of The University of Queensland, which is currently developing curriculum changes to comprehensively include the Millennium Development Goals.

At the mid-point of the Millennium Development Goals, although progress has been achieved in the Asia Pacific Region, many of the Goals are significantly behind their expected targets.

Australian Medical Students' Association

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