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ADVOCATE

to support USAID funding of resources for

neglected surgical conditions & surgical systems

Twitter Campaign July 12- 14
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What's going on?

Congress recently approved the inclusion of language supporting funding in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations for USAID to support efforts against neglected surgical conditions and for strengthening surgical systems in low-resource settings. We are now advocating to have a dollar amount attached to that language for 2022. Be a part of advocating for $100 million in funding allocated to these global surgery objectives. As students and trainees, you have a powerful voice in your community, and we’re calling on you to be a part of this historic advocacy campaign. 

 

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For more information, view the recording of the advocacy webinar! 

Not convinced yet? 

Find more information about USAID and this funding campaign with these resources.

Social Media Campaign: July 12-14, 2021

Help us spread this campaign and also talk to your elected officials on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the following resources:

 

Use the toolkit below to start a conversation with your elected officials on Twitter or Instagram. This guide has images and pre-written messages you can use in your own posts. Find your Congressperson’s social media information at the button below.

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Another way to spread awareness of this campaign is to share with your fellow classmates and colleagues. We suggest using the toolkit resources to engage with some of the following:

  • Posting on Twitter

  • Posting on Instagram

  • Posting in your school’s Facebook groups

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SurgFundUSAID

Twitter

Write to your Congressperson

Download

Download the stock letter by clicking on one of the two versions below: 

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Personalize

Modify the stock letter by adding the following:

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1. Your Congressperson's information

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2. Your name, school or GSSA affiliation, an introduction to yourself, and any other information you would like. 

Send

Use the tool linked below to find your Congressperson's contact.

Some Congresspeople prefer that you email via a form on their website instead. You can copy the text of the letter and submit it under the "Foreign Affairs" topic.

Report

Let us know you sent the letter by responding at the link below.

Important Information:

If you reside or study in the region of one of the Senators who are in the Appropriations Committee, your voice is especially important as one of their constituents! These include:

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  • Arkansas - John Boozman

  • Connecticut - Chris Murphy

  • Florida - Marco Rubio

  • Illinois - Richard Durbin

  • Kansas - Jerry Moran

  • Kentucky - Mitch McConnell

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  • Maryland - Chris Van Hollen

  • Missouri - Roy Blunt

  • New Hampshire - Jeanne Shaheen

  • Oregon - Jeff Merkley

  • Tennessee - Bill Hagerty

  • Vermont - Patrick Leahy

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Meet with your Congressperson

Download

Download these letters with information about scheduling a meeting. Modify,  with your personal information and the Congressperson’s information, as above.

Share

Let us know if you’ve been able to schedule a meeting by emailing

globalsurgerystudents@gmail .com 

Include the following information:

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  • An introduction to yourself

  • Who you are meeting

  • When the meeting is scheduled

Learn

We  will schedule a meeting to discuss talking points and connect you with others in the area who might be able to join the meeting and help you advocate! This could include other physicians, students/trainees, or people from surgical non-profits.

Report

Let us know how the meeting went by responding at the link below:

Important Information:

If you reside or study in the region of one of the Senators who are in the Appropriations Committee, your voice is especially important as one of their constituents! These include:

​

  • Arkansas - John Boozman

  • Connecticut - Chris Murphy

  • Florida - Marco Rubio

  • Illinois - Richard Durbin

  • Kansas - Jerry Moran

  • Kentucky - Mitch McConnell

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  • Maryland - Chris Van Hollen

  • Missouri - Roy Blunt

  • New Hampshire - Jeanne Shaheen

  • Oregon - Jeff Merkley

  • Tennessee - Bill Hagerty

  • Vermont - Patrick Leahy

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Additional Resources

OpEd: "Investing in surgical systems supports pandemic preparedness"

Jimmy Kolker & Dr. Kee Park 

  • 17 million people die every year from lack of access to safe, timely, surgical care.

 

  • The time to address the major gaps in surgical, obstetric, trauma, and anesthesia (SOTA) care is now.

 

  • American medical equipment and device companies will profit as the US and other governments fund surgical health capacity and systems in developing countries thus creating new markets and benefiting society.

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  • From a pandemic readiness point of view, strengthening surgical care represents a “best buy” in achieving a key objective of increased treatment capacity.

Quick Facts:

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Presentation on

Background Information

 Quoted from Slide 3 in the presentation linked to the right.​

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