THE DIARY OF A DETERMINED DELEGATE – LI KOON HEI

Right now, I'm pursuing my dream of becoming a pharmacist at University College London, in the United Kingdom. In my journey, I've had the honour of becoming the first ethnic Chinese to serve as a Liaison Secretary for the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association within the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association. On top of that, I've also represented the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation at the 72nd World Health Organization European Regional Committee in Tel Aviv, Israel. It's a journey fuelled by my passion for global health, pharmacy management, and the professional development of pharmacy.

Being the first ethnic Chinese representative for the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) within the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) has been both demanding and rewarding. I've had the privilege of serving as the voice of British pharmacy students in Europe, advocating for future improvements in pharmacy from a student’s perspective.

My days as the U.K. ambassador to EPSA are quite varied but mainly revolve around building a bridge between European and British pharmacy students. On quieter days, I pore over EPSA's plans for pharmacy campaigns and advocacy projects, filtering out the ones most pertinent to the BPSA. Besides these responsibilities, I have the exhilarating task of representing the British delegation at EPSA's annual conferences. There, I get to actively contribute to the shaping of EPSA's future actions and advocacies.

This role has led me down several exciting paths, significantly contributing to my work in global health. For instance, I was chosen to represent BPSA at the Regional Assembly of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) European Office in Istanbul, Turkey. There, I proposed motions to ensure inclusive pharmacy education and to elevate HIV as a key public health discussion point. Experiences like these have given me a profound sense of fulfillment and pride in my chosen profession.

When I began my internship at a pharmaceutical company, another exciting opportunity arose. The IPSF was looking for representatives to attend the 72nd World Health Organization European Regional Committee Assembly (WHO EURO RC72) in Tel Aviv, Israel. Despite my doubts about my suitability for the role, I applied, outlining my vision for how pharmacy can globally improve health in areas like HIV prevention and behavioural medicines. To my surprise, I was chosen to be one of the three official delegates of IPSF to WHO EURO RC72.

Attending the WHO European Regional Committee (RC) was a humbling experience. As the official delegate of the IPSF, I voiced how pharmacy relates to the year's key public health topics and why the youth in pharmacy should be involved in these discussions. It was a truly awe-inspiring moment when I submitted a statement on digital health and the use of pharmacy to the WHO.

Engaging with global health leaders at a WHO event was initially nerve-wracking, but it quickly turned into a rewarding experience. I exchanged ideas with delegates from various countries and organizations, advocating for the crucial role of pharmacy in public health. Among these interactions, I even received a potential PhD offer and the opportunity to attend a high-level meeting on Monkeypox strategy.

Perhaps the most memorable moment was my conversation with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO. We discussed the importance of peace for achieving health and the unity of member states in ensuring inclusive healthcare. His recognition of the importance of pharmacy in global health was an incredible validation of my journey.

Both as the British Ambassador to the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association and a delegate to the World Health Organization, I've grown significantly as a person and as a future pharmacist. I'm deeply grateful to Munsang College for providing me with opportunities like participating in Model United Nations events. These experiences broadened my worldview and honed my public speaking skills, serving as a launchpad for my current achievements. I look forward to sharing more about my experiences with you in the future.

Li Koon Hei at WHO EURO RC72 (2nd from the right)

A snapshot taken at WHO European Regional Committee