Maternal and Child Health in Pune, India

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Pune

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Description: In India, an estimated 136,000 mothers and 2.5 million children die every year, most often due to causes that are preventable or easily treatable. In order to keep its commitment to its most vulnerable population, India should reduce its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from 540 to 135, and its under-five child mortality from 96 to 32.

With improvements in living standards, better immunization uptake, better nutrition and sanitation, fewer deaths due to diarrheal diseases, more children are surviving if they make it past the first month of life. However, there has been little improvement in neonatal survival, an issue which is closely linked to maternal health and survival. The Maternal Child Health in Pune program with CFHI is designed to look into these issues through the clinical and preventable care centers in the city of Pune.

Located in the Sahayadri Hills, near the west coast of India, Pune is a fascinating city with a nice year round climate. The Maternal Child Health in Pune program will offer comprehensive learning opportunities in health in addition to vibrant Marathi culture. Participants will have the chance to work with a variety of clinical sites including larger hospitals, and smaller rural clinics. Some clinical sites are run and managed by the government, and others are private that may or may not operate with public funding. In this program, participants will be exposed to the healthcare system in India that caters to the needs of women and children. They will experience antenatal care, intranatal care and postnatal care facilities and will learn about newborn care, immunization schedules and pediatric care up to age five. Participants can also rotate in family planning clinics, and will have the opportunity to work in clinics that manage sexually transmitted infections and disease.

Highlights: * Clinical Rotation/Academic Credit Assistance
* Orientation & Coordinators
* Accommodations
* Communications

Clinical Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information.
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

We recommend you study as much Hindi and/or Marathi as possible before you go, as it will greatly decrease personal frustration you may experience during the CFHI experience. All of activities listed above will be conducted in English and all of our partners in this program speak English, yet many other people you will encounter may not.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: This program is open to those who speak:

* English

This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation.We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Cost in US$: Approx. 2,000 for 4 weeks

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 21 and over

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

Participants Travel to India Independently

Scholarships are Available.  as available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement: Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a nonprofit that builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives to advance quality healthcare for all.

Year Founded: 1993