EHA - India
Location
EHA serves throughout northern and central India in the provinces of Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, and Uttar Pradesh. This region of India is generally remote and economically disadvantaged. Most of the year the climate is quite warm. From February to November temperatures will be at least 30 degrees Celsius (86 deg F), but in the height of summer temperatures reach 45 Celsius or more (over 115 deg F). December and January, or year round at Landor Community Hospital high in the mountains of Uttaranchal, overnight temperatures are less than 5 Celsius (less than 40 degrees F)
TransportationAll students and volunteers first fly to Delhi to attend an orientation and then travel onto their assignments. They will be met at the airport and taken to a hotel in Delhi to rest and go through the EHA orientation program. The one-day event includes shopping for appropriate clothing, instruction about basics of Indian and EHA culture, and preparation for the hospital environment. EHA will arrange for transportation to the assignment via train. At the destination, hospital staff will meet them at the station and transport them to the hospital.
At the end of the assignment, students and volunteers return to Delhi for a half-day debriefing that gives them the opportunity to share what they have learned and prepare to return home. Many students add a vacation to the their time in India, which is a great idea and best timed at the end of the assignment. EHA can refer students to reputable travel agents for the arrangements.
Recommended Travel AgentTravel plans should begin three to six months in advance. INMED can recommend a travel agent appropriate for this location.
Visa RequirementProspective visitors should visit the India Embassy website appropriate for their nationality. Americans traveling to India need a visa in advance. Please visit the Embassy of India website for full information: http://www.indianembassy.org. All students and volunteers should apply for “Tourist Visas.”
Traveler’s Health & SafetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
FacilitiesEHA is a network of 21 hospitals and 27 community health projects, and is committed to the transformation of communities with programs that invest in the health and well being of everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or race. With a catchment population of nearly seven million, EHA treats more than 500,000 patients each year. Each Hospital of EHA is a separate registered charitable society, which has entered into a Deed of Incorporation with EHA and each other. This form of relationship fosters accountability and mutual assistance between them all.
EHA hospitals provide the full range of clinical services, including obstetrics & gynecology, ophthalmology, paediatrics, general Surgery, urology, and family medicine. Diagnostic services include clinical lab, radiology, and ultrasound. Service statistics for 2005 include 55,953 inpatient admissions, 6431 major surgical procedures, 7,756 eye surgeries, 16,029 supervised deliveries of which 12,346 were high risk pregnancies.
EHA also manages 27 Community Health and Development projects in northern India. Whilst the majority are closely associated with a base hospital, seven are ’stand alone’ projects, two of which are urban slum based and the remainder are in rural areas. The project components include community organization, literacy and non-formal education, financial training, micro-enterprise, maternal & child health, and projects to promote care and education for physically and mental disabled children. Since 1995 EHA has also been combating the HIV epidemic by providing training in HIV clinical management, behavior change, home and community based care, and palliative care.
EHA Hospitals & WebsitesGeneral information about EHA is available on the EHA website. Detailed information about Herbertpur Christian Hospital can be found on their dedicated website. In addition, information on each of the EHA hospitals and health centers is available.
PatientsA high proportion of India’s population continues to suffer and die from preventable infections, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera & diarrhea, malnutrition, and pregnancy and childbirth related complications. Most Indian women deliver in their villages on their own or with the help of a village midwife (Dai), and those who present to hospital are usually emergency cases and often require Caesarian section.
At the same time new health threats are stretching the capacity of the health system to respond. Approximately 4 million Indians are living with HIV, and the virus is spreading from highly susceptible groups to the general population in some states, threatening to erase much of the social, economic and health gains since Independence.
EHA purposely aims to serve India’s the most disadvantaged people. Most patients are extremely poor, some are Moslems, and many are women and girls - those who traditionally receive substandard care. Medical care is often the last priority for the such people because of the costs involved. Therefore, patients frequently present very late in the course of their illnesses, or choose to die in their villages.
Health Profession StaffMost physicians, nurses and other health professionals have chosen to work with EHA over more lucrative opportunities in India’s larger cities, the US or the Middle East. In all, EHA employs 118 physicians, 453 nurses, and 139 community health staff. Most physicians are Indian born and educated. Many have received postgraduate medical training in the US and Europe, and they are joined each year by hundreds of volunteer physicians from these nations.
LanguagesHindi is the primary language of northern India. All of the doctors and most of the staff speak at least some English. Patients, however, are almost entirely Hindi speaking. Staff are available to provide translation.
Student ExperienceEHA is excited to offer cross-cultural elective experience in medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, hospital administration, and public health for students who are interested in expanding their horizons and being challenged by an experience in India. EHA currently runs an elective program for about 100 health profession students per year.
Educational electives are normally between 4 and 16 weeks in length, and placement is arranged at one of the 21 hospitals. The exact assignment depends on the size and location of the hospital the students prefers. Larger hospitals provide more variety but less opportunity for hands on clinical work, while smaller hospitals generally give less variety but more opportunities to get involved with patient care.
For a more in depth look at the life on an EHA student, please visit the India Survival Guide.
Student Lodging & MealsEach EHA hospital regularly receives volunteers and health profession students, and has guest accommodations with meal preparation facilities.
Outside CommunicationMost towns have Internet cafes for emailing. Postal mail in India is unreliable.
DiversionLife at EHA hospitals is service-focused, though everyone enjoys a break a tea time. Upon returning to Delhi at the end of their assignment, students and volunteers participate in a half-day debriefing. Many then embark upon some sightseeing of India. EHA can make a referral to reputable travel agents for these arrangements.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to the facility for hosting them. This is not required, but does allows INMED participants to get involved in every aspect of medical missions.
DressClothing should be appropriate for hot weather. EHA asks that all women wear the local Shalwar Kameez, a long top and baggy pants, during their assignment. On arrival in Dehli, students will be taken shopping for appropriate clothing.
What To PackPlease refer to the EHA India Survival Guide.