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CLINICAL/HEALTH INTERNSHIP IN NEPAL OVERVIEW PACKET
MISSION STATEMENT
Chhahari Group Nepal (CGN) is a Nepal-based volunteer organization that offers undergraduate, graduate and medical students the opportunity to undertake clinical/health internships in Nepal. Through the internship experience, we hope to broaden students understanding of international healthcare while providing clinical assistance and funding to the Nepalese medical centers and hospitals that sponsor the program. CGN also seeks to establish a cross-cultural exchange between the Nepal and others countries and spark long-term passion and commitment to improving healthcare in Nepal.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Introduction
Nepal is a third world country with a population of approximately 20.5 million citizens. Because it is one of the least developed developing countries (LDDC) with a per capita income averaging $210 - $1,100, most of Nepals inhabitants are destitute and living in extremely rural conditions. 60% of women and 40% of men cannot read or write. In addition, Nepal is in need of medical assistance: life expectancy in Nepal is 57 years, 20 years less than life expectancy in the U.S; the infant mortality rate only half of all births take place in the presence of skilled attendants is at 79.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 6.82 in the U.S.; only 59% of the population has access to safe drinking water; and 50% of the population consumes less than the daily recommended calorie intake.
To alleviate the healthcare problems in Nepal, CGN was created in 2002. CGN offer a Two weeks to 2 years internship in which students could volunteer at Kanti Childrens Hospital, the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home, Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief Center, Shidhi Memorial Hospital, Tribuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu Medical Collage as well as other hospital and health post in the area.
Kanti Childrens Hospital
Kanti Childrens Hospital is Nepals only pediatric hospital. Because most patients come from extremely low to middle class families, volunteer organizations, such as the Social Service National Coordination Council, the Nepal Germany Help Association, and the Social Action Volunteers KCH, provide housing, transportation, and free immunizations to families while their children are being treated. The hospital holds 400 staff workers, with 53 full time doctors and 300 beds, and specializes in treating children from newborns to 14 year olds. The hospital serves nearly 100,000 patients per year, including 21,500 in the emergency room, 5, 700 as inpatients, and over 60,000 as outpatients.
Nutritional Rehabilitation Home (NRH)
The Nutritional Rehabilitation Home is a 16-bed clinic that treats severely malnourished children and educates the mothers about childcare and nutrition to ensure that the health restoration is ongoing. The children are referred to NRH by hospitals and health clinics and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. This organization is partly funded by Kanti Childrens Hospital as well as NGOs.
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE IN NEPAL
Trip Description
The program allows students to intern at Kanti Childrens Hospital, the only childrens hospital in Nepal, and volunteer at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home or Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief Center, Balaju 24 Hours Clinic, Kathmandu Medical Collage. Students gain exposure to a variety of practices within medicine, such as the physical therapy, intensive care, radiology, surgery, emergency room, and burn units, as well as experience in the treatment of malnutrition and leprosy.
Upon arrival, students coordinate with Bishop Joshi to map out an intern rotation and daily work schedule at Kanti Childrens Hospital. Students volunteer from Sunday to Saturday. Work at Kanti ends everyday at 1pm; students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the other hospital in the afternoon. CGN encourages participants to plan recreational activities, travel, and exploration of Nepals numerous sights and attractions when they are not volunteering in the hospitals or medical clinics.
Kanti Childrens Hospital
Standing adjacent to the Tribhuval University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Kanti Childrens Hospital is an ideal location for aspiring pediatric doctors to gain clinical experience. Working 9am to 1pm from Sunday to Saturday, program participants may interact with children in the physical therapy, ICU, radiology, surgery, and burn units, depending on the hospital needs at that time:
Physical Therapy Care for children with brain damage and other physically disabling diseases by playing motor coordination games and teaching them arm and leg exercises
Surgery Observe the operating room and become familiar with the procedures and conditions of the hospital
Burn Unit Interact with the children and parents on a personal level by leading recuperative physical exercises, playing games, and dressing the children.
Family Planning and Immunization Shadow hospital staff as they teach women and children about medication and learn about the available contraception and immunizations in Nepal.
Emergency Room Observe the main ER physician as he conducts his rounds
STIPEND
Contact Information
Chhahari Group Nepal
PO Box 21107
Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: 00977 1 42636201
Email: info@volunteers.org.np, chhahari@yahoo.com
Web: www.volunteers.org.np
