​Stellenbosch University (SU) final-year MBChB student Melt Hugo recently attended the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) – the highest health policy making body in the world – in Geneva, Switzerland. 

He was invited to the annual meeting at the Palace of Nations, the headquarters of the World Health Organisation (WHO), as an active member of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), which represents a network of 1.5 million medical students from 129 national member organisations across 123 countries. 

“The memory of completing my application on a subway in Chicago last December during my elective study still remains vivid," recalls Hugo. “At the time, I could scarcely believe I would be selected as a delegate to attend the WHA."

He was subsequently granted special leave from his orthopaedics rotation at Worcester Hospital, where he is completing his medical studies as part of the Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health programme of SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Capacity building and empowerment

“The primary objective of my attendance at the WHA was to engage in both the Youth PreWHA, organised by IFMSA, and the WHA," says Hugo. He explains that the Youth PreWHA serves as an international capacity-building initiative comprising a workshop held in the days leading up to the WHA.

“This event prepares the IFMSA delegation to advocate for and represent youth perspectives at the high-level global health decision-making forum," he says. “The Youth PreWHA aims to educate and empower future health leaders while fostering a collaborative approach to youth engagement at the WHA."

During the Assembly, IFMSA delegates are given an opportunity to present statements in official sessions, lobby for the adoption of resolutions, foster collaborative projects, network with key stakeholders, initiate campaigns, attend educational workshops and raise awareness on a range of health issues.

Hugo regards the experience as invaluable: “My participation in the event provided an opportunity to collaborate with medical students from across the globe and to interact with high-ranking officials from the WHO, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as the United Nations.

“This experience afforded me profound insights and knowledge of a broad spectrum of topics, including universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis eradication, climate change and pollution."

He adds: “Given that tuberculosis has been the leading cause of death in the Western Cape for more than a decade, my medical education and clinical training have been heavily focused on it. This background enabled me to contribute a unique perspective on a disease that is less prevalent in the developed world."

Serendipitous encounter

Hugo also experienced a memorable moment outside the formal proceedings of the WHA during his visit to Geneva. “While returning from the Palace of Nations to our accommodation with colleagues, I noticed a gentleman wearing a suit adorned with a lapel pin of the South African flag," says Hugo. “After initially walking past him, I decided to turn back and introduce myself.

“The gentleman was Mr Thembela Ngculu, head of the Human Rights Unit at the South African Permanent Mission in Geneva. Although I was somewhat out of breath from running back, I introduced myself and was immediately greeted with the distinctive warmth and familiarity of a fellow South African – a truly indescribable feeling."

Hugo's attendance at the WHA was not the first time that he participated in an international medical gathering. Last year, he presented his research on treatment-resistant wounds at the World Congress on Undergraduate Research at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

Hugo has chalked up various other notable achievements as well during his time as a medical student. In 2017 he received the Rector's Award for Leadership and in 2020 the Rector's Award for Service Provision. In 2018/2019, he served as an executive member of SU's Students' Representative Council.

Hugo's leadership skills have also been recognised more widely. He was vice-president of the South African Medical Students' Association in 2019/2020 and the first president of the Stellenbosch Chapter of IFMSA in 2020/2021. In 2023, he was honoured with the News24 “100 Young Mandelas" award.

Hugo prides himself on being a passionate advocate for human rights and public health. “I believe I am born to serve and commit to the care of people," he says. “Every individual must have the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified and fulfilling life."