A group of Brazilian Doctors called Medicos Pela Vida (Doctors for Life) hosted their second annual Covid-19 conference in Iguazu Falls from the 30th of June until the 3rd of July 2022. The conference, cohosted by the World Council for Health, was a combined live in-person and zoom conference with speakers from around the world. I was honoured to be part of the international speakers invited to be part of the conference together with big names like Dr Peter McCollough, Dr Ryan Cole, Dr Pierre Kory, Dr Lucy Kerr, Dr Tess Lawrie, Dr Shankara Chetty, Dr Jackie Stone and many more. Dr Zev Zelenko passed a few days before the event and many speakers dedicated their presentations to this courageous and outspoken man. Having my daughters Yumna and Husna with me, made the trip extra special, despite all the hiccups. Yumna, a 3rd-year medical student at Stellenbosch University, spoke about the plight of medical students, learning during a pandemic. Her presentation was eye-opening and well received. When you browse the names in the poster, you will recognize many brave and prominent leaders who are fighting against the government and organisational overreach of power and control. For me, it was learning about the work of the people whose names I did not recognise that will stay with me forever. I encourage you to research the names you do not recognise on the speaker panel. I am sure you too will be astounded. The tireless work of cardiologists like Dr Fernando Lamego, pathologist Dr Manuela Chacel Amoreli, dermatologist Dr Simone Ramos, immunologist Dr Roberta Lacerda, neurosurgeon Prof Jose Nasser, integrative practitioner Dr Joao Yamasita left me awestruck. Meeting and networking with these and other amazing front-line workers strengthened my resolve. A quick chat with Kat and Rob at breakfast, a panel discussion after a session with Anne and Robyn, dinner with Ryan and George, or even a conversation on the bus to the falls with Pierre and Kirk was enough to gain valuable insights and share ideas on what we have achieved and where to go from here.A special mention to the organisers, Dr Antonia Jardeo, Dr Lucy Kerr, and Dr Jennifer Hibberd. A mammoth undertaking, on a limited budget, executed with love, dedication, and passion. Well done to you all and the team that worked with you. The link to the presentations will be posted on our website www.vukasa.org.za as soon as the presentations are ready for upload. Traveling to Brazil, via Luanda (Angola), made me appreciate our beautiful South Africa so much more. Coming back to 6hrs of load-shedding, water shortages and fuel increase saddened me and highlighted the need for us to expose the corruption, fight for our rights and demand the service delivery our government keeps promising. Being part of the MPV conference warmed my heart and left me even more determined than ever to keep fighting to expose and spread the truth. We are in a "war" - we need to stand firm and stand together to regain our lost liberties and build a brighter and better world
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