India

We are a few days into our trip, and so far I have felt the craziest cuture shock during our car rides. It is like being in a video game with cars overflowing with people, buses, huge truck, and motor cycles with entire families on them zooming by in every direction. People are always driving on the wrong side of the road or off the road as long as they keep moving.

Today was our first day in the eye hospital and the Indian doctors refreshed a few weeks worth of the neuro I have learned over the past few months. It was much different having patients in front of me with different eye problems instead of seeing pictures on a power point slide show. A lot of cataracts, glaucoma, and patients suffering from diabetes problems like diabetic retinopathy.

After we got back to the house we watched a game of cricket and then went in the back yard to play for a bit, I understand the game now and had a lot of fun.

Introduction to CURA India

We will be in India in just a few more days so I encourage all the CURA supporters to follow our trip through this blog. We will post updates as often as we can, through the course of our trip.
The trip members -
John Daly - johndaly@creighton.edu
Megan Davis - megandavis@creighton.edu
Andrew Dickhute - andrewdickhute@creighton.edu
Kay Hurley - kathleenhurley@creighton.edu
Ona Gurney - onanoagurney@creighton.edu
Andrea Schliesman - andreaschliesman@creighton.edu
Nick Townley - nicholastownley@creighton.edu
Kunal Desai - kunaldesai@creighton.edu

Please feel free to email individual members with questions or post your comments online. Thank you for all your support.

Trip Itinerary

May 20: Arrive in Mumbai
May 21-24: Orientation with doctors at H. V. Desai Hospital and Bharti Hospital. Group split into two, half at H. V. Desai and half at Bharti.
May 25-27: Groups switch hospitals. Begin HIV/AIDS work with Ruby Hall Clinic at rural site and slum.
May 28-30: Diabetes and Hypertension Healthcamp at Khed Shivapur.
May 31: Day off in Pune.
June 1-2: Prepare for Kanha Healthcamp.
June 3: Depart for Kanha.
June 4: Arrive in Kanha.
June 5-8: Health camp
June 9-10: Visit National park.
June 11: Travel to Agra by train.
June 12: Visit Taj Mahal. Travel to Delhi.
June 13: Sight seeing in Delhi.
June 14: In Delhi.
June 15: Depart for Mumbai.
June 16: Back in US.

Megan's Reflection

I am looking forward to CURA India for many reasons. Not only is it going to be a trip in which we provide some basic services and education to a wide range of people (those both in the city and rural villages suffering from many different things), Kunal’s expertise and connections will help us make the most of our time there. He knows who especially is in need of our attention, where to focus our efforts, and who to call for help in doing this. Even poor healthcare in the US is exponentially better than that in the majority of the rest of the world, and as an insulated Midwesterner, I know seeing that reality firsthand will be an eye-opener.Apart from my excitement to experience this new place, I do have fears. Emotionally-draining sights and encounters, disease exposure, and yes, snakes, are among them. I am also slightly nervous about how we will be received in India and the cascade of effects from the unrest in the Middle East. Overall, I am comfortable with the planning of the trip, I love the group, and I am thrilled to start the adventure!

John's Reflection

I think an important part of becoming a doctor is learning to be open to the diverse ways of life and types of people I will be interacting with on a regular basis. I cannot think of a better way to familiarize myself with people that differ from me than to leave the way of life I know and provide healthcare to people in another part of the world. Project CURA gives me a chance to learn about a different culture and healthcare system with the classmates I have been studying medicine with all year. In India, I look forward to my service work helping people in the immediate future, while my interactions with these people within their culture influence me as a doctor and as a person for the rest of my life.

Kay's Reflection

I have always been interested in getting involved in medical volunteering, and the CURA program is one of the reasons I chose to apply to Creighton. I feel strongly about volunteering within one's own community, but believe that in order to understand healthcare disparities within my country I need a global perspective on this problem. I feel that by going to India, my experiences will shape me into a better physician.

Documentary Screening

We recently had our documentary screening and it was very successful. Thanks to everyone that came out, and thanks to Nick's parents for setting up the venue and great food! If any would like to watch the documentary again, or was unable to make it, here is the link to watch it online:

http://omc.bc.edu/baldwin/archive/2008/watch.php

The title is "Indian Healthcare: Right or Privilege?"

We'll be arriving in India next week, so more posts to come!


थैंक्स तो एवेर्योने ठाट कामे तो थे डॉक्युमेंटरी स्क्रीनिंग!