Team:MED Palampur Health Initiative 2010...Palampur Health Initiative is a student-based pilot initiative developed by Team:MED from Monash University (Clayton) in partnership with

Team:MED

Palampur Health Initiative 2010

4th January to 16th January

Post-Project Summary Report

Page 2 of 16

Table of Contents

Page

1. Acknowledgements

3

2. About Us 2.1 Executive Committee

4

3. Project Overview 3.1 Background & Objectives 3.2 The Programme

5

4. Key Activities & Highlights 4.1 Health Screening 4.2 First-Aid Lectures 4.3 Exchange with local

medical students/professionals

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

Palampur Health Initiative 2010 4th

to 16th

Jan


Page 3 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

Volunteering India Padam Dev Singh ‘Bobby’ (Executive Director) Amit Masand (Director Operation)

Team:MED Participants Xin Yi Ho (5th Year Medical Student) Kelvin Chng (5th Year Medical Student) Kimanh Nguyen (5th Year Medical Student) Joshua Hammerschlag (5th Year Medical Student) Cassie Rickard (4th Year Medical Student) Eugene Tan (4th Year Medical Student) Sara Sattar (4th Year Medical Student) Stacy Chamberlain (3rd Year Medical Student) Allya Makjijani (3rd Year Medical Student) Astrid Richards (3rd Year Medical Student) & all who have expressed interest in our project

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

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


to 16th

Jan


http://www.monashclubs.org/index.php

Page 4 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)


to 16th

Jan


Page 5 of 16

3. Project Overview

Name of Event: Palampur Health Initiative 2010

Date of Event: 4th

January to 16th

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:

Abbotts India

VSAP (University of Melbourne)

Contact name:

Xin Yi Ho

Kelvin Chng

Telephone number:

0431499153

0403590309

Email:

[email protected]


to 16th

Jan


mailto:[email protected]

Page 6 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.


to 16th

Jan


Page 7 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


to 16th

Jan


Page 8 of 16

3.2 The Programme

Date Programme

Day 1

4th

Jan Introduction & briefing

Tour of lodging & local market

Evening lecture on culture and customs of Himachal Pradesh by Dr Anup

Katoch

Day 2

5th

Jan Visit to Kayakalp Ayurveda & Naturopathy Hospital

Lecture on integrated system of medicine in India by Dr Garima Thakur

Day 3

6th

Jan Conduct health screening at various Day Care Centres

Conduct health screening at Gyan Deep School

Day 4

7th

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

8th

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

9th

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


to 16th

Jan


Page 9 of 16

Day 7

10th

Jan Leisure visit to Mcleodganj

Day 8

11th

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

12th

Jan Conduct health screening at Pandit Anant Ram Sharma Rotary School For

Mentally Challenged Children

Day 10

13th

Jan Conduct health check-ups at Orphanage

Day 11

14th

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

15th

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

16th

Jan Leisure visit to tea garden & factory

End of Programme


to 16th

Jan


Page 10 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.

Palampur Health Initiative 2010 4

th to 16

th Jan


Page 11 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.


th to 16

th Jan


Page 12 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


th to 16

th Jan


Page 13 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


th to 16

th Jan


Page 14 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


th to 16

th Jan


Page 15 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


th to 16

th Jan


Page 16 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.


th to 16

th Jan


Documents

Team:MED Palampur Health Initiative 2010...Palampur Health Initiative is a student-based pilot initiative developed by Team:MED from Monash University (Clayton) in partnership with