COMHS organised “Social Accountability Dialogues” as a part of the NU lecture series – 2024. The event was scheduled on 18th February 2024, in Al Bathina Hall, COMHS.
The session was participatory in nature involving students, alumni, faculty, and representatives from the community and healthcare industry.
Dr. Thaha Dr. Mohamed, Director of Medical Education Centre, University of Sharjah facilitated the discussion along with Prof. Ciraj, Head, Medical Education Unit, COMHS. Dr Thaha opened the dialogue session by defining Social Accountability and explaining what makes medical schools socially accountable along with insights from relevant Case Studies published regionally and globally.
This was followed by an exploratory exercise facilitated by Dr. Ciraj using the principles of Appreciative Inquiry. The steps followed, identifying best practices, envisioning an ideal future, designing strategies and action plans and defining the path forward.
The Dean of the College Prof. Mohammed Shafaee stated that the purpose of the event was to initiate conversations that extend the reach of medical education to the community. By doing so COMHS plans to create partnerships that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and community health needs. Besides students faculty and alumni, around 20 external members (from the community and healthcare industry joined the dialogues.