Incisions must be operated on

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Ali Ghorbaniazar is a 24-year-old medical student from Ardabil, Iran. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

The 21st century was distinct even before its arrival. Everyone was waiting for changes. Rumors were circulating that computer systems would crash because the first digit of the year in the calendar would change from 1 to 2. However, when the new century began, everyone saw that this did not happen, and they became hopeful that this era would not be as frightening as they had imagined. However, the 21st century has, all along, been rushing in with different challenges. For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, and the surprise conflict on October 7 were these issues. Although many of our triumphs in the field of medicine, the fact that health inequality is very common in medical education is undisputable. Also, educational disparities do not only denote the absence of educational resources and teachers but also produce difficulties in attaining education. Some of the problems that exist in medical education in the world are:

1. Inequality in access: Students in some areas are unable to access the advancement of the use of new teaching materials, equipment, and specialized guidance. Restricted access is the main reason for not getting an education that meets global standards.

2. Lack of up-to-date curriculum: In some cases, the programs and subjects they teach are not in tune with the current social, political, and economic dynamics. Some diseases and health problems are more serious in certain areas and are not included in the curriculum.

3. Financial barriers: The high cost of medical education makes it inaccessible to many people (According to some surveys, even more than half). This means that only a few can pursue a medical career. Scholarships, available loans, and support from government and nonprofit organizations can help fill this gap.

4. Ethical Challenges: The discovery of new drugs, genetic research, and the development of artificial intelligence usually come with ethical concerns that need to be addressed. These issues are specific and novel, which is why they are not included in the curriculum. This situation prevents them from dealing with the problems they will encounter in their careers in the future.

One of the most encouraging aids is the implementation of distance teaching at school that is achievable due to technological progress. Schools can cooperate and share resources, engender programs that meet the needs of the planet and can send an experienced professor to exchange valuable experiences in various fields.

Countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam have made progress in reducing educational gaps through academic exchange programs. For example, Azerbaijan has exchanged knowledge with Western universities in cooperation with the (IFMSA), and South Africa has agreed with neighboring countries to collectively deal with some diseases.

Medical education in the 21st century faces challenges related to global inequalities and access to resources and learning opportunities. Fortunately, through international collaborations, investment in infrastructure, development of educational platforms, and medical innovation, we can work to close these gaps and make the world a better place.

About the author

Ali Ghorbaniazar is a 24-year-old medical student from Ardabil, Iran. He is currently studying at the Faculty of Medicine (MPF1) of Azerbaijan University of Medical Sciences (AMU). Since the beginning of this year, he has been working as an active member and program coordinator in the SCOME committee. In addition to his studies, he is interested in martial arts and has a history of championships.