About the Organisation: This community hospital was founded 25 years ago to treat Leprosy patients and help eradicate the disease through community education and awareness programmes. The leprosy programmes have been very successful with patients becoming much fewer in recent years and so they have diversified out to other areas of need such as TB, HIV/AIDS and Diabetes. These three conditions are set to have most impact on Indian health in the 21st century.
The hospital is a 4 storey building with 85 beds. It is kept extremely clean but has very basic wards and equipment. Departments within the hospital as well as those already mentioned include Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry & Ear, Nose & Throat.
How it began: In 1971 the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association (GLRA) undertook a survey in the Greater Madras (
Chennai) area and on realizing the magnitude of the problem set up the Greater Madras Leprosy Treatment and Education Scheme.
The main objectives were to create awareness in the community regarding Leprosy, TB and other serious health problems and promote sound health care practices. To detect, treat and rehabilitate people at affordable cost.
Funding was secured by the community for a new hospital from the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association and it was built in 1980.
The Hospital now: The objectives have been mainly met in relation to Leprosy. There are now much fewer cases being reported to the point where we can say it has been eradicated in the
Chennai area. However, Leprosy is not curable and therefore there are still patients that need ongoing treatments such as limb amputation.
Unfortunately TB and HIV/AIDS is on the rise and so the hospital has diversified its treatments out to cover these areas more. It also specializes in Diabetes related illnesses. The hospital employs education officers who go out into the community to undertake awareness programmes in these areas.
The hospital has a Board of Directors consisting of 18 members all of whom are prominent figures in
Chennai. All activities are documented well and there are comprehensive annual reports written to show the health care undertaken by the hospital.
What you’ll be doing: Depending on your areas of interest you will be working in the hospital 5 days a week, weekends if you wish or if there are special programmes being delivered to the community.
If you are on the 4 week pre-med course you will mainly be observing but the doctors will include you where possible to help them with their rounds. Whenever surgery is being performed you will have the option of observing in the operating theatre.
The Pharmacy always needs a spare pair of hands to help with stocking and dispensing and so this can be part of your day if it is of interest.
The hospital has a large role in reaching out to the community through education and awareness programmes. The outreach officer would welcome help to develop new, more exciting materials and workshops to help get the messages across.
If you are part qualified or a qualified physiotherapist the Physio department is very well resourced with many patients. Leprosy usually leads to amputation of limbs and the department helps the patient to readjust from this. The hospital also manufactures prosthetic limbs and the Physio department helps people learn how to use them.