On Monday I went with the Rural and Public Health program to their mobile clinic placement. We took a rick-shaw to the clinic location in Lonavla, and then from there took the van with the doctor and the driver. We drove out about 3 hours to a 'tribal village'. He mostly gave patients tylenol/ibuprofen-type pain killers for their various aches and pains from daily work. His most consistent patients are a group of old women. I got a great picture of them that I'll post when I get back.
I asked about the women there having babies, and he said there are 3 midwives in town (who were taught by their grandmothers, or someone else who'd done it before them). Sometimes they get prenatal vitamins, but they don't get the Rh shot. As a result (and no doubtedly from other causes too) there are a lot of miscarriages. He said the most common cause of death is malnutrition. They are all rice farmers, and eat little more than rice and vegetables. Apparently, the Indian government built all their homes. Interesting. On our way out of the village, we saw a father and son walking. The boy had a cloth tied around his leg. We stopped and handed out some antibiotics and antiseptic ointment for his leg.
On Tuesday morning (today!) I woke up early and took a taxi to the Mumbai airport. There was some confusion about whether it was the 'domestic airport' or the 'international airport' since my flight was domestic, but the reservation said the international airport. Turns out, there are 2 places to enter the airport (20 min drive apart), but they use the same airspace. So I made it to my flight with plenty of time. Got to Delhi no problem, and got picked up for free by the hotel where I'm staying tonight and tomorrow night. The place is pretty fancy (for 30$ a night!). I have AC, a TV, free internet cafe (with computers, which is why i'm able to blog so much today), king size bed, minifridge, room service, the works. It's pretty luxurious. I'm meeting up with Brian (a canadian med student who will be on my next trip) in a little bit, and planning our Taj Mahal trip for tomorrow I think. Should be pretty cool!
I asked about the women there having babies, and he said there are 3 midwives in town (who were taught by their grandmothers, or someone else who'd done it before them). Sometimes they get prenatal vitamins, but they don't get the Rh shot. As a result (and no doubtedly from other causes too) there are a lot of miscarriages. He said the most common cause of death is malnutrition. They are all rice farmers, and eat little more than rice and vegetables. Apparently, the Indian government built all their homes. Interesting. On our way out of the village, we saw a father and son walking. The boy had a cloth tied around his leg. We stopped and handed out some antibiotics and antiseptic ointment for his leg.
On Tuesday morning (today!) I woke up early and took a taxi to the Mumbai airport. There was some confusion about whether it was the 'domestic airport' or the 'international airport' since my flight was domestic, but the reservation said the international airport. Turns out, there are 2 places to enter the airport (20 min drive apart), but they use the same airspace. So I made it to my flight with plenty of time. Got to Delhi no problem, and got picked up for free by the hotel where I'm staying tonight and tomorrow night. The place is pretty fancy (for 30$ a night!). I have AC, a TV, free internet cafe (with computers, which is why i'm able to blog so much today), king size bed, minifridge, room service, the works. It's pretty luxurious. I'm meeting up with Brian (a canadian med student who will be on my next trip) in a little bit, and planning our Taj Mahal trip for tomorrow I think. Should be pretty cool!
I know you're currently incommunicado and up in the mountains until the end of next week (7/6/12) but wanted to say can't wait to read more and hear about your most recent adventures!!
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