Overview
Bangalore Baptist Hospital has grown into one of India’s most respected faith-based healthcare institutions, known for its commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate care, and healthcare education. The hospital provides a wide range of specialty and subspecialty services while maintaining a mission-driven focus on serving individuals from all backgrounds and economic circumstances.
Learners benefit from a highly educational environment that combines advanced medical care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to a broad range of specialties. Opportunities include clinical service, specialty rotations, and participation in one of India’s leading Christian healthcare institutions.
Location Information
Location & Community
Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in southeastern India, Bangalore is one of the nation’s most populous cities. The weather is most hot in April, with rain from June to November. December to February is cooler. During the British Raj, it was a centre of colonial rule in South India. Today, Bangalore is home to well-recognized colleges, research institutions, software, aerospace, and telecommunications companies.
Become familiar with India’s culture, history and economy by reviewing the Wikipedia India Page Profile. Rich resources for India health information include the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME India Country Profile and the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory India Data.
People Served
Those coming for care at Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH) are a mix of both urban dwellers and those traveling from the rural north. About 80 percent are Hindu, 10 percent Moslem, and 10 percent Christian. Literacy among BBH patients runs sixty percent. A substantial number of patients are unable to pay for their medical care. They commonly suffer from hypertension, diabetes, asthma, tetanus, malaria, hydatid disease, typhoid fever, and occasionally even cholera. Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death among adults, and malnutrition frequently afflicts younger children.
Languages
Seven major languages are spoken in Bangalore, and most individuals can communicate in three or four of them. The hospital staff speaks English, and all charting and teaching is conducted in English. Translation for non-English speaking patients is readily available.
Healthcare Facilities
BBH has capacity for 200 inpatients, and each year performs 3,800 surgeries, 3,000 deliveries, and 180,000 outpatient consultations. BBH provides specialty care in all the major medical fields, including even vascular surgery, ENT, infertility, and ophthalmology. It is also one of the very few medical care facilities that will treat patients with HIV.
BBH is a widely recognized medical education institution, offering residency training in family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and anesthesiology. It is also home to a diploma-level nursing school and a pastoral counseling program. BBH was established by the International Mission Board, SBC, in 1973, and since 1989 is governed by the Christian Medical College Vellore.
Public Health Initiatives
The Community Health Department of Bangalore Baptist Hospital serves the rural area located in Devanahalli Taluk, about 35 km from BBH and serving some 35,000 people living in 50 villages. Interventions include health awareness programs for school children and women’s groups. Local capacity building is enhanced through training anganwadi workers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and by providing continuing medical education for primary health centre medical officers.
Access to primary care in increased mobile clinics held in the remote and hard-to-access villages. Special vigilance is made to identify malnourished children and provide nutritional support and follow up care. The Community Health Department also engages in leprosy eradication and prevention of impairment for leprosy patients. A chronic disease initiative is a high priority, using street plays and screening camps to increase awareness of atherosclerotic diseases and reduce risk factors.
Healthcare Profession Staff
Medical care and public health supervision and instruction is provided by a full complement of BBH department chiefs, many of whom completed their postgraduate training in Europe and the United States. BBH enjoys a close academic relationship with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Facility Support
INMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to financially support this facility. While such efforts are not required, they provide opportunity for INMED learners to become involved in this important aspect of international healthcare.
Communication
Internet access and wireless telephone service is readily available.
Travel and Logistics
Visa Matters
For current information please visit the United States embassy website appropriate for one’s home nationality.
Traveler's Health & Safety
Travelers should consult with a personal physician before embarking. All routine vaccinations must be up to date. Refer to the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information.
Travelers are advised to refer to the United States State Department website for the most up-to-date general travel information, and to regularly view current travel advisories.
Learners Experience
A remarkable community health experience is available through Bangalore Baptist Hospital. Learners make supervised home visits in low-income communities, collect health data, and participate in efforts to eliminate disease and disability. This community health program is credited to making remarkable progress in local health outcomes. For those interested in direct patient care in a hospital setting, please note that this site only allows for observation. INMED, for this reason, recommends learners instead take advantage of community health service experiences, which provide for more hands-on participation.
Transportation
Visitors fly into the Bangalore International Airport. Hospital personnel will meet them on arrival and transport to the hospital facilities.
Lodging & Meals
Students are provided housing in a modern hostel designated for visiting students and staff. Single room accommodations are available.
Behavior & Dress
The best policy is to be conservative and modest, and western style clothing is the norm. MEN: Wear slacks and white coat for hospital work, but no necktie. Shorts are worn only for sports. WOMEN: Wear longer skirts or pants and white coat for hospital work. Tops should cover the hips and not be revealing in any way. Shorts are never worn. BOTH: Scrubs are not worn outside the operating theater.
Recreation
Bangalore is known as the “Garden City of India” because of its greenery and the presence of many public parks. It is also home to the Kannada film industry and a vibrant theater scene. In addition, Bangalore is a major center of Indian classical music and dance with recitals widely held throughout the year.
What to Pack
Visitors should bring copies of all healthcare profession licenses, diplomas, or certifications. A carry-on bag should be packed that contains essentials items just in case one’s luggage becomes lost. Bring clothes appropriate for the weather. Visitors should bring their own personal medications, toiletries, and white coat.