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 Child Family Health International (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 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, 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 Hindi and/or Marathi if possible before you go to be able to communicate some basic phrases in the local language. All the activities listed above will be conducted in English and all of our partners in this program speak English, yet patients and others may not.

Qualifications

This program is open to those who speak:

* English

This program is open to participants who are 20 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
* 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.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing

Languages

• English

Subject Areas

• Culture
• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pre-med
• Public Health

Cost in US$:

Approx. 2,500 for 4 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

20 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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Scholarships are Available

as available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement

Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that conducts socially responsible global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI's 20+ programs in 5 countries connect students with local health professionals -transforming perspectives about self, global health and healing. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives. CFHI is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

Year Founded

1992