Cambridge University Global Health (CUGH) is a student run society set up to promote interest in global health, public health and infectious diseases. There are three main strands of activity that the society is involved with; a seminar series, an Elective preparation day and an outreach initiative in the local community.

CUGH aims to provide a stimulating series of seminars that encourages informal debate on a wide range of subjects including:

• Public Health: e.g. healthcare inequalities, homeless communities, healthcare for asylum seekers
• Global Diseases: e.g. epidemiology and research surrounding TB, pnemonia, Malaria, HIV
• Global Health, Humanitarian Aid Policies & Disaster Relief
• Pathophysiology and clinical cases of infectious diseases
• Practicing in Developing Countries.

Following on from a talk by Dr Bastable on Healthcare for the Homeless about her work at the Cambridge Access surgery, we established a programme whereby students have the opportunity to assist in clinics and health rounds to homeless members of our community.

In February 2012 CUGH held its first Elective preparation day. This involved a morning of seminars on practical information about travelling abroad, presentations of tropical diseases and nutrition in the developing world. In the afternoon a range of workshops were run that focused on orthopaedic and obstetric practical skills and emergency scenarios that would be handled differently when resources are limited. Following the positive feedback about how useful and enjoyable the day was, we will be making this an annual event.

Alongside the Elective preparation day, CUGH set up a scheme with the charity MedAid International so students undertaking electives in developing countries can order medical equipment to use during their electives or donate to their host hospital. This has been very popular with students and some of the feedback is on our MedAid page.

In the future, CUGH hope to build stronger links with other societies and organisations involved in Global Health and develop the programmes we have established to involve more students.