Rural and Public Health Rotation

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Mumbai

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: Scholarships Available for February, March and April 2009. Email us for scholarship details and the application form.

ISAC offers an in-depth Rural and Public Health rotation for medical and pre-medical students to work with local doctors on mobile vans, hospitals, clinics and Aids/HIV interventions.

This program gives students a chance to learn about health problems faced by rural communities. Students work one on one with local doctors in the areas of public health, rural medicine and HIV/AIDS.

The program combines work on a mobile health van, small local hospitals, and field trips to see leprosy projects and cataract surgeries. This program offers great learning opportunities for pre-meds, medical students, public health students and nursing students who are interested in International health.

Highlights: Students can rotate on mobile health vans; work in local government and charitable hospitals and small private clinics in the area. The program offers an excellent overview of the Indian rural health care system. Day trip to nearby leprosy hospital can also be organized for those interested in infectious disease and also to see cataract surgeries. During Dec-Jan months students can get involved in more hands on work by conducting health checkups for almost 5000 underserved children in the area.
   
What do I do on the program?

- HIV/ AIDS Intervention: The HIV/AIDS interventions are targeted towards migrant workers, fishermen, truck drivers, and youth in colleges and high school. Students can work in this department and also help out with documentation, putting together training materials, grant proposals, and reports for social workers.

- Hospital Rotations: Work in the government hospitals that provide health care services to poor patients. Students shadow doctors in outpatient clinics, on hospital rounds and observe surgeries.

- Leprosy: Day trip to nearby leprosy hospital can also be organized for those interested in infectious disease. This allows students to see a disease that is no longer present in the west. Students get a chance to see patients and understand the social and medical aspects of this once dreaded illness.

- Health Camps: Work in health camps organized in the villages. Past students have conducted health camps for children and due to their help the organization was able to see over 3000 children in 3 months!

Even if you are a pre-medical student and don't have clinical skills there are many ways to give back to the community. Past students have helped with conducting health camps for children, medical data collection and analysis, report writing for foreign donors and project evaluation in addition to working in the field.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: This program is ideal for pre-medical, medical, nursing and other allied health professionals interested in rural and public health issues. Individual or groups of students can apply to the program.

No prior experience or other training required. Participants must be over 18 years of age easygoing and flexible. They must be committed to working with underserved communities and be able to live in rural areas.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 20-35

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

India Study Abroad Center's Mission Statement: India Study Abroad Center (ISAC) offers a variety of experiential learning programs. These programs are designed with the particular student's interests in mind, allowing the participants to explore and learn about the country with special focus in their area of interest. We strive to ensure that our programs are most affordable to allow people from all walks of life to be able to participate. Our aim is to provide students with an unforgettable learning experience.

Year Founded: 2006