Team:MED Palampur Health Initiative 2010 4 th January to 16 th January
Table of Contents Page 1. Acknowledgements 3 2. About Us 2.1 Executive Committee 3. Project Overview 3.1 Background & Objectives 3.2 The Programme 4. Key Activities & Highlights 4.1 Health Screening 4.2 First-Aid Lectures 4.3 Exchange with local medical students/professionals 4 5 10 5. Photo Snapshots 13 6. Sponsorship 14 7. Review 7.1 Job well done 7.2 Areas of improvement 7.3 Recommendations for the future 15 8. Conclusion 16 Page 2 of 16
1. Acknowledgements The Palampur Health Initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable support and contributions of various organisations and individuals. We were also fortunate to be able to engage significant financial and medical supplies sponsorship from Abbotts India and Victorian Students Aid Program. Therefore, we would like to express of heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the following organisations and people: Team:MED Committee Xin Yi Ho Kelvin Chng Melanie Tan Jasmine Koh Daryl Cheng Team:MED Participants Xin Yi Ho (5 th Year Medical Student) Kelvin Chng (5 th Year Medical Student) Kimanh Nguyen (5 th Year Medical Student) Joshua Hammerschlag (5 th Year Medical Student) Cassie Rickard (4 th Year Medical Student) Eugene Tan (4 th Year Medical Student) Sara Sattar (4 th Year Medical Student) Stacy Chamberlain (3 rd Year Medical Student) Allya Makjijani (3 rd Year Medical Student) Astrid Richards (3 rd Year Medical Student) Volunteering India Padam Dev Singh Bobby (Executive Director) Amit Masand (Director Operation) Lecturers and Supervisors Dr Anup Katoch Dr Garima Thakur Dr Anil Mehra Dr Sunil Raina Dr Kapoor Deraj Dr Karan Sharma Dr Rajesh Sood & the many others who have made this project a success & all who have expressed interest in our project International Volunteer HQ Blanche Mackinder (Program Coordinator) & staff Sponsors Abbotts India (financial assistance and medical supplies) Victoria Students Aid Program (medical supplies) Monash University Clubs and Societies Page 3 of 16
2. About Us Team:MED is an official student organisation that provides an avenue for Monash University students to actively participate in volunteer Health Initiatives across the world, including countries such as Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Fiji. These health initiatives are holistic projects to improve health in the community, involving aspects of health and wellbeing such as health screening, dietary advice, water sanitization and medical treatment. They are run together with healthcare professionals, aid agencies and sometimes directly with the community. 2.1 Executive Committee The Team:MED executive committee with the assistance of our partner organisation (International Volunteer HQ) were responsible for all matters pertaining to project coordination, organisation and evaluation. Xin Yi Ho and Kelvin Chng were selected as participants and appointed to lead the Palampur Health Initiative. The executive committee is comprised of: Xin Yi Ho (President Team:MED & Participant) Kelvin Chng (Vice-President Team:MED & Participant) Melanie Tan (Secretary Team:MED) Jasmine Koh (Treasurer Team:MED) Daryl Cheng (Logistics Officer Team:MED) Page 4 of 16
3. Project Overview Name of Event: Palampur Health Initiative 2010 Date of Event: 4 th January to 16 th January 2010 Location of event: Palampur, India Number of participants: 10 Main Organizers: Team:MED (Monash University); Supporting Partners: International Volunteer HQ Volunteering India Sponsors: Contact name: Abbotts India VSAP (University of Melbourne) Xin Yi Ho Kelvin Chng Telephone number: 0431499153 0403590309 Email: teammed@monashclubs.org Page 5 of 16
3.1 Background and Objectives About the Health Initiative Palampur Health Initiative is a student-based pilot initiative developed by Team:MED from Monash University (Clayton) in partnership with International Volunteer HQ and Volunteering India. It draws medical students from Monash University MBBS but we hope to include all students from the Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in the near future. In accordance with our club objectives, our aim for this health initiative is to promote primary healthcare and disease prevention and consequently improve overall health indices of the people in Palampur, India. The health initiative involves the conduct of primary health screening clinics for adults and children at various establishments, e.g. day-care centres, schools, orphanages and hospitals. In addition, time was also set aside to allow interaction with local health professionals and medical students, our participants will be able to gain invaluable knowledge and insight into the pertinent healthcare issues through these highly useful activities. Club members who expressed an interest in the initiative were put through a rigorous selection process which comprised of the submission of an application form detailing their previous experience in volunteering and their understanding of pertinent issues involved in the initiative. Subsequently, phone interviews were also conducted by Team:MED executive committee members to further assess the suitability of the candidates according to specific criterion agreed upon by the executive committee members. In addition, selected candidates were also required to submit a similar application form to our partner organisation, International Volunteer HQ to complete the whole application process. Selected candidates were prepared for the project by means of an organised meet-up session and constant communication through online resources such as Google Groups, Facebook and email. All candidates were encouraged to voice any concerns or queries through these avenues which were swiftly attended by Team:MED executive committee members. Selected candidates were also encouraged to actively engage sponsorship from interested third-party organisations with regards to financial and medical supplies contributions for the Health Initiative. Page 6 of 16
Aims and Objectives of the Health Initiative To enhance professional and personal development, and enable participants to cultivate skills for negotiation, teamwork and analysis that are critical to career success To promote primary healthcare, disease prevention and improve health outcomes of the people in Palampur, India To understand and appreciate healthcare in a global setting and to contribute to the global community To promote and propagate the concept of global volunteerism The Meet-up session Page 7 of 16
3.2 The Programme Date Day 1 4 th Jan Programme Introduction & briefing Tour of lodging & local market Evening lecture on culture and customs of Himachal Pradesh by Dr Anup Katoch Day 2 5 th Jan Visit to Kayakalp Ayurveda & Naturopathy Hospital Lecture on integrated system of medicine in India by Dr Garima Thakur Day 3 6 th Jan Conduct health screening at various Day Care Centres Conduct health screening at Gyan Deep School Day 4 7 th Jan Participation in Village Medical Camp at Janani Hospital, Tashi Jong with Dr Anil Mehra M.D, Professor & Head of the Dept of Angioplasty, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA Visit to Tibetan Monastery Day 5 8 th Jan Visit to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Hospital Introduction by Dr Sunil Raina, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine Department Lecture on healthcare structure in India Interactive program with students of Government Medical College Day 6 9 th Jan Ward rounds with Dr Kapoor Deraj, Head Professor of Medicine Ophthalmology lecture + 2 short cases Obstetrics & Gynaecology hands-on session by O&G Registrar Page 8 of 16
Day 7 10 th Jan Leisure visit to Mcleodganj Day 8 11 th Jan Paragliding trip Conduct health screening at Pandit Anant Ram Sharma Rotary School For Mentally Challenged Children and Orphanage Conduct first aid lecture at Orphanage Presentation of first aid kits to senior at Orphanage Day 9 12 th Jan Conduct health screening at Pandit Anant Ram Sharma Rotary School For Mentally Challenged Children Day 10 13 th Jan Conduct health check-ups at Orphanage Day 11 14 th Jan Surgery experience with Dr Karan Sharma, MS PGH, best surgeon in Himachal Pradesh Group discussion on HIV awareness in India with Dr Rajesh Sood, AIDS Control Officer District Kangra Day 12 15 th Jan Conduct health screening at Gyan Deep School Conduct 2 first aid lectures at Gyan Deep School Presentation of first aid kits to Principal of Gyan Deep School Presentation & wrapping up of programme Day 13 16 th Jan Leisure visit to tea garden & factory End of Programme Page 9 of 16
4. Key Activities & Highlights 4.1 Health Screening The aim of the Health Screening Clinics that were conducted was to obtain baseline results for BMI, HR, BP and general examination findings of patients ENT, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, our volunteers had also shared the expenses required to employ an accompanying pathologist to perform basic Haemoglobin counts. Our target group consisted mostly of under-privileged children and adolescents between the ages of 5 to 20 at various locations, e.g. Day Care Centres, Gyan Deep School, an orphanage and the Pandit Anant Ram Sharma Rotary School For Mentally Challenged Children. The most common problems afflicting these children were anaemia, malnutrition and the general lack of health surveillance from birth. All data collected were forwarded to relevant local health services, e.g. general practitioners and specialists, for further processing and follow-up as appropriate. Where possible health screening was also used as an opportunity to further educate people on basic hygiene and lifestyle changes to improve their overall health status. We will be receiving follow-up reports on these children and adolescents as their data are being processed. In addition, arrangements will be made to re-engage with the same group of children and adolescents on our return project- Palampur Health Initiative 2011, to further assess their progress and ensure the establishment of the continuity of care. Page 10 of 16
4.2 First Aid Lectures The aim of the first-aid lectures was to seek to educate the population about the basic principles of first-aid. These lectures were conducted at the Gyan Deep School and the Orphanage. Once again, our target group consisted mostly of children and adolescents between the ages of 5 to 20. Due to language barriers, we had chosen to conduct these education sessions for children and adolescents who have a basic understanding of the English Language. It was conveyed to them that they will then act as conduits and pass on the knowledge that they have learnt to their family and friends to achieve a more widespread effect. First-aid lectures consisted of didactic teaching sessions, demonstration sessions and practice sessions so as to enhance the flow of information and to foster a more engaging learning environment. Topics that were covered include: Basic wound management; basic fracture and sprains management; and what to do during emergency situations. Page 11 of 16
4.3 Exchange with local medical students/professionals The main aim of these exchanges was to augment the level of understanding of our volunteers of the local culture and the cogent issues which are expectedly different from what we have experienced so far in our various academic capacities. With full appreciation and understanding of this knowledge, our volunteers were able to effectively perform the tasks that were required of them in Palampur, India. In addition, these exchanges had also provided our volunteers with the opportunity to interact, network and connect with fellow members of the medical profession thereby enhancing both their personal and professional development. Noteworthy exchanges that were specially commended by our volunteers include: Participation in Village Medical Camp at Janani Hospital, Tashi Jong with Dr Anil Mehra M.D, Professor & Head of the Dept of Angioplasty, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA Visit to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Hospital & interactive sessions with local medical students Ward rounds with Dr Kapoor Deraj, Head Professor of Medicine Obstetrics & Gynaecology hands-on session by O&G Registrar Surgery experience with Dr Karan Sharma, MS PGH, best surgeon in Himachal Pradesh Group discussion on HIV awareness in India with Dr Rajesh Sood, AIDS Control Officer District Kangra Page 12 of 16
5. Further Snapshots of the Programme Start of Programme Getting to Know The Town Lecture With Dr Katoch Visit to Ayurveda Centre Health Check@ Day Care Heath Check@ Local School Day at the Janani Hospital Visit to the Medical College Interaction w/ Local Med Std Ward Round w Prof Deraj Team Bonding- Paragliding First-Aid @Special Sch Health Check@ Special Sch Health Check@ Orphanage Wrapping up & Farewell Page 13 of 16
6. Sponsors Once again, we would like to show our appreciation and gratitude towards our sponsors. Without their support, this Health Initiative would have been much less successful. Thank you Victorian Students Aid Program (VSAP) for the provision of: First aid kits (7 sets) Mercury Blood Pressure monitoring sets (6 sets) Calcium & Vitamin Tablets (2 bottles) Gloves (2 boxes) Povodone Iodine solution (1 bottle, 500mls) Thank you Abbotts India for the provision of: Various medical supplies that were directly delivered to the hospitals in Palampur Page 14 of 16
7. Review 7.1 Good Job Done Relatively well coordinated and organised Good range of activities for volunteers Good mix of working and recreational activities for volunteers Volunteers displayed good enthusiasm throughout the initiative Good accommodation 7.2 Areas of Improvements Unfamiliarity with the usage of online resources, e.g. Google Groups, contributed to initial confusion and disorganisation amongst volunteers Coordination and organisation amongst volunteers and with partner organisations can be further improved, e.g. pre-departure briefing sessions Engagement of more sponsorship and support from the University and Faculty Language barriers, e.g. unfamiliarity with spoken Hindi Introduction of more clinically oriented activities Standardisation and familiarisation of primary health screening procedures 7.3 Recommendations for Future Projects Provision of clear instructions and manuals for participants with regards to use of online resources Inclusion of basic Hindi and Indian cultural courses prior to departure Organisation of more face-to-face meet-up sessions to encourage team-bonding and establish basic ground-rules Standardisation and familiarisation of health screening procedures through group practice sessions Expansion of activities to include HIV screening and counselling, and more clinically oriented activities Page 15 of 16
8. Conclusion On the whole, the Palampur Health Initiative was a resounding success. In fact, it far exceeded the modest expectations that we had for our pilot project. The project had fulfilled its objectives and enabled participants to not only get a glimpse of healthcare in a global setting but also to make significant contributions to the global community (improving the health outcomes of the people of Palampur, India). Furthermore, it had also allowed our participants to build up networks whereby, they can continue to share and disseminate the knowledge and insights that they have gained from this project. The Palampur Health Initiative holds much potential for both Monash University students and our host country, India, in terms of enhancing the of training of our future medical professionals; assisting our host country in tackling one of their most urgent development challenges; promoting cross-cultural exchange and inter-racial harmony; and strengthening the unique relationship between Australia and India. Therefore, we look forward to conduct a follow-up project in 2011, to further gauge the success of the Palampur Health Initiative 2010; to use the experience that we have gained and build upon the success of 2010; and more importantly, to ensure a continuity of care for the individuals who have benefitted and who will continue to benefit from our contributions. Page 16 of 16