Bangalore Baptist Hospital – India

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.

Transportation

Visitors fly into the Bangalore International Airport. Hospital personnel will meet them on arrival and transport to the hospital facilities.

Visa Matters

For current information please visit the India embassy website appropriate for one’s home nationality. United States citizens can obtain current visa information from the website of the India Embassy in Washington, DC. Visitors should request a tourist visa – not a visa related to work or to study, and should apply at least 6 weeks in advance.

Traveler’s Health & Safety

Recommended immunizations include hepatitis A and B, polio, tetanus, and typhoid. Malaria prophylaxis not required in Bangalore. One should consult with their personal physician before traveling, and 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.

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.

Medical Care Services

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.

Website

https://www.bbh.org.in

Health 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.

Student Experience

The unique teaching focus is for students to rely on clinical skills and judgment rather than on technology. Students select a particular specialty department and participate in all related aspects of patient care. This will usually include daily ward rounds and outpatient clinics, intensive care and emergency care. Students will also participate in formal learning activities, including hospital-wide teaching sessions, didactic conferences, case presentations and interactive sessions with attending physicians. Previous INMED Learners who served at this training site include these Graduates.

Student Lodging & Meals

Students are provided housing in a modern hostel designated for visiting students and staff. Single room accommodations are available.

Outside Communication

Internet access and wireless telephone service is readily available.

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 personnel to become involved in this important aspect of international healthcare.

Diversion

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.

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.

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.