U.S. medical students looking for volunteer work in India

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

my name is Saira Doja and I am a first year medical student

representing the International Medical Society (IMS) of Lake Erie College of

Osteopathic Medicine, or LECOM. Our branch of IMS seeks to

serve both locally and abroad in the field of medicine. Through

setting up clinics, raising funds, advocacy, and bringing in speakers.

We seek to improve the standard of medicine in underserved areas as

well as broaden our understanding of the medical needs throughout the

world.

Last year the IMS took its first trip abroad and worked in a clinic

in the Dominican Republic. This summer, we look to expand our Summer

Abroad program and serve cross-culturally again. We are in the initial

stages of planning our trips.

We are looking for sites in India, preferably near Delhi or Mumbai, for 10-15

days this summer.

Ideally, we would to work with AIDS/HIV patients in a clinical setting

as well as doing health related community development work, in order

to maximize our benifit and leave a sustainable change. We will also be

travelling with at least three students fluent in hindi.

We will form a team of 10-12 medical students, accompanied by at least two

clinicians or professors, and we will arrive with donated medical equipment and

products that our site may need.

In regards to our program, we would like to provide necessary services

preferably to those in underserved areas, if possible.

In order for our school to approve this trip, we have to ensure that certain

accomadations will be secure, such as,

- Location

- Setting of work(urban/rural, hospital/clinic)

- Description of work

- Sustainability of project

- Housing availability/cost

- Have they had teams before?

If you know of any hospitals or clinics that are in need, please let

me know as soon as possible! We are very excited about planning this

trip.

Sincerely,

Saira Doja

e-mail: Sairadoja@...