Africa

CAMEROON – BANSO HOSPITAL

The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board (CBCHB), in partnership with Banso Hospital, supervises primary health projects in about 45 villages. One of the few primary health programs in the entire nation, these particularly emphasize prevention, early detection and treatment of tuberculosis, HIV, and infant malnutrition, in addition to supporting basic health education, sanitation, vaccination, contraception, and supply of safe drinking water.

The majority of the personnel in these projects are trained in Banso, and receive ongoing mentorship in their roles. The CBCHB works in cooperation with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the American Public Health Association, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa, among others, in perfecting and monitoring the results of their primary health care interventions. Medical students interested in working in this public health initiative must be in their fourth year.

GHANA – ANKAASE METHODIST HOSPITAL PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

Preventive healthcare at Ankaase Methodist Hospital is a high priority and guided by community health board. Staffed by community health workers, the public health unit provides immunizations, general health education, health screens for mothers and babies, and particular interventions against Buruli ulcer, malaria, hepatitis B, and HIV infection. The unit works in cooperation with sister organizations to augment the supply safe drinking water.

Students of public health serve under the direction of the community health workers in leadership and participate in the above interventions. In addition, this region of Ghana has in progress a number of Millennium Development Goal projects in which public health student may take part. Research opportunities are also available with guidance from Cameron Gongwer, MD, MPH – an American graduate of the University of Ghana School of Public Health.

GHANA – BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Baptist Medical Center is headquarters for the regional public health department, serving some 34,000 residents via satellite locations in 64 rural villages south of the medical center. Students are welcome to participate in the full range of services. Public health personnel are Ghanaian-trained nurses and community health workers who provide bed nets, prenatal care, well-child care, vaccinations, HIV testing and counseling, and treatment and referral of more common diseases.

Outpatient HIV medication treatment is offered to appropriate patients at the public health department, with the support of CD4 and viral load monitoring. The public health program also monitors community health status, particularly collecting data regarding the primary communicable disease threats: tuberculosis, malaria, yaws (spirochete infection caused by Treponema pallidum pertenue), guinea worm, bacterial meningitis, cholera, and measles.

KENYA – TENWEK HOSPITAL

Located in the Rift Valley, Tenwek Hospital mainly serves the Maasai and Kipsigis tribes. These proud peoples make a living by cattle herding and subsistence farming, respectively, and generally live in great poverty. Their physical afflictions include malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, malnutrition, distant trauma (nonunion fractures, open fractures), tuberculosis, and obstetrical complications. In this context, Tenwek has been offering hope since 1935.

Comprehensive healthcare is provided, including HIV care, dental, physical therapy, public health, and hospice. Tenwek integrates teaching and formation throughout it services and hosts formal training programs in medicine, surgery, nursing, laboratory and pharmacy, and chaplaincy. Thus, Tenwek has earned a solid reputation for health promotion and for compassionate affordable healthcare, recognized throughout the surrounding provinces and nations.

SOUTH AFRICA – MSELENI HOSPITAL

Health leaders in this remote region of northeastern South Africa have established a number of public health programs in cooperation with clinical primary health care services. These involve tuberculosis control, school health, immunization, and child focus groups known as Phila Phaqa Phikinini. These groups promote the survival and development of young children and meet periodically to review childhood health data and community interventions.

INMED International Public Health students will participate in community education programs in cooperation with community health workers. They also will engage in caring for orphans and vulnerable children in connection with the outstanding Lulisandla Kumntwana Project. Mseleni community leaders complement public health training with opportunities in community development and job creation. The particular interests of students will be accommodated on an individual basis.

TANZANIA – KILIMANJARO CHRISTIAN MEDICAL CENTER

The Kilimanjaro Medical Center hosts a Community Health Worker (CHW) training program and supervises primary health projects in its surrounding villages. For these services, the medical center receives extensive professional support from Duke University. Public health nurses and the community health department actively provide health education, health promotion activities, and assistance with research activities.

A particular strength is the Kilimanjaro Center for Community Ophthalmology – a World Health Organization East Africa coordinating center for epidemiologic projects studying trachoma and vitamin A deficiency. INMED students participate in all aspects of the Kilimanjaro public health programs. Medical students interested in working in the field must be in their final year.

ZAMBIA – MUSHILI HEALTH CENTER

Located in the Copper Belt of northern Zambia, southern Africa, Mushili Health Center serves a rural population of 15,000. Malnutrition, malaria, TB, HIV, polio, anemia, burns, and traumatic injuries are common in this community. Both preventive care and limited treatment is provided at Mushili Health Center provides. Ibenga Hospital and Ndola Children’s Hospital are located close by and offer care for those needing inpatient medicine.

Healthcare students from the US and UK have studied at Mushili since 2002 under the guidance of an American RN and periodic physicians. Students can communicate adequately using English. Victoria Fall, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is located just an eight-hour drive away and provides an unforgettable highlight to serving at Mushili.

Asia

BANGLADESH – MALUMGHAT HOSPITAL PROJECT

Along with tertiary care, the Malumghat Hospital Project emphasizes community health, essential obstetric care, essential newborn care, immunization, health education, and training of primary care providers. This is accomplished via permanent village clinics and mobile clinics, midwifery seminars, and preventative health seminars. Printed materials are offered and health videos are shown in the communities on topics including nutrition, safety, and prenatal care.

Of particular importance, Malumghat Hospital Project holds obstetrics seminars for midwives and community health workers. Since only eighteen percent of deliveries in Bangladesh are done in hospitals, midwives serve a crucial role. Education for the midwives is minimal, and community health teaching from MCH has made a significant impact in improving the quality of care.

CHINA – LIGHT LIAONING INTERNATIONAL GENERAL HEALTH TRAINERS*

LIGHT emphasizes clinical prevention throughout all its primary care services, from urban health centers to rural clinics. Patient health education routinely addresses issues of diet, exercise, tobacco use, substance abuse, family planning, and trauma prevention. LIGHT health education efforts are also aimed at equipping other healthcare professionals with the motivation and skills to make this an intricate part of their practices.

Clinical screening is a relatively new concept in Chinese society, and LIGHT is actively educating citizens about this importance. In this context, LIGHT provides early detection of common diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Well-child care is meticulously provided by LIGHT, with emphasis on tracking growth and development, and appropriate intervention for delays.

INDIA – EMMANUEL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

EHA manages twenty-seven community health and development projects in northern India. For example, the Herbertpur Community Project in the state of Uttrakhand works in primary health care, tuberculosis control, substance abuse rehabilitation, disaster risk reduction, and care for disabled children. The Chetna Project in the State of Bihar provides primary health care, women’s literacy, adolescent girls vocational training, and prevention of mother to child HIV transmission.

Whilst the majority of projects are associated with a base hospital, seven are ‘stand-alone’ projects, with two in urban slums and the remainder in rural areas. Most projects include community organization, literacy education, financial training, micro-enterprise, maternal and child health, and service for the physically and mentally disabled children. EHA community health is also integrated with HIV prevention efforts that focus on behavior change.

INDIA – BANGALORE BAPTIST HOSPITAL

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.

INDIA – VELLORE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL

The Vellore CMC Rural Health Centre was established in 1954, providing outreach services to 5 villages. Over the years, it has expanded services to the entire geographic region of Kaniyambadi and today includes community-wide efforts to increase literacy, training of community health volunteers, Traditional Birth Attendants, and provision of basic preventive and curative services at the village level.

On the forefront of these public health interventions, include efforts to prevent water-borne infections through sanitation and provision of potable water, control dissemination of TB through prompt diagnosis and DOTS treatment, development of micro-enterprises for women, and provision of rehabilitative care for those suffering from leprosy complications. Students of public health are actively encouraged to participate in the range of interventions, depending upon their particular interests.

NEPAL – HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING PROGRAM

PHILIPPINES – MERCY IN ACTION

Mercy In Action sponsored birth centers offer clinical training sites that emphasize preventive care and health promotion throughout their many services. The midwife-led maternity care provided implements evidence-based care and acknowledges the interaction between the family, the environment, and their interactions with health systems. Students will participate in our First 1,000 Days program, going into patients’ homes to monitor the growth and wellbeing of the babies we deliver until their second birthday. Community-wide resiliency is developed not only through quality patient care, but also through equipping and training of local community health visitors, and through the cultivation of highly nutritious Moringa plant leaves and other foods. 

Public health students are invited to participate in the full range of health promotion activities associated with Mercy In Action sponsored sites, including prenatal education, breastfeeding support, vaccination information, and child nutrition.  In doing so they will also become more familiar with the common issues surrounding the promotion of health in this particular cultural context, including language barriers, limited resources, and varying acceptability of health interventions. 

Central/South America

HONDURAS – CLINICA ESPERANZA

Most of the health challenges experienced on the island of Roatan are due to preventable or rather easily treatable diseases, including air-borne, water-borne, and insect vector-borne pathogens. Malnutrition, both under-nutrition and over-nutrition, is a very prominent risk factor the chronic conditions of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory distress, and musculoskeletal complaints. Injuries related to burns, fall, and motor vehicle trauma remain frightfully common.

In response to these health challenges, Clinica Esperanza places a strong emphasis on health education and patient teaching. The pace of the clinic usually provides ample opportunity for one-on-one patient counseling. Group educational sessions are also provided for more common concerns such as over-nutrition and diabetes management. Prenatal care and well-child care are also offered. Students are invited to participate in all aspects of public health at Clinica Esperanza.

HONDURAS – CLINICA EVANGELICA MORAVA

Women of La Mosquitia typically deliver their children at home. Or, like the perpetual rains of eastern Honduras, they pour into the Clinica Evangelica Morava with delivery complications. These stem most frequently from underlying anemia, malnutrition, and misunderstanding about pregnancy. Therefore, among the Clinica’s public health initiatives, hookworm control, nutrition education, and prenatal care are very high priorities.

Transportation is very challenging in this region of deep forests. Therefore another high-priority public health initiative is training village health workers. In the context of eastern Honduras, these individuals provide mosquito vector control, management of common illnesses, and innovations for safe drinking water. They also play an important role in immunization and communicating essential healthcare education.