Summary

Program goals

In order to address the unmet needs, the IRHS started a small village clinic comprising offering consultations and laboratory services for detection of tuberculosis, malaria, anemia and other routine conditions. These clinics are operated five day a week by two paramedics and volunteer doctors from the UK.

Key program components

Village Clinics: The Institute runs health clinics in two villages, Dokur and Kotakadra, located in Mahbubnagar district. Experienced paramedics, healthcare workers and volunteer doctors in the clinics treat a variety of illnesses and medical conditions. Patients requiring sophisticated care are referred to the nearby government and private hospitals of Hyderabad. Each patient referred is carefully followed up to ensure the receipt of appropriate care and support to the family. The Institute also provides patients with medicines that are inexpensive or free of cost. The drugs are sourced from Locost (Low Cost Standard Therapeutics makes essential medicines for those working with the poor in India) or are locally sourced. For children under 12 years of age, the medicines are provided free of cost. Patients are charged a user fee of USD 0.04 which includes consultation and laboratory investigations.Village health workers - who primarily focus on women's and children's health - and paramedics are recruited locally and trained by foreign volunteers in various clinical aspects. The paramedics work closely with volunteer doctors to diagnose, treat and manage patients. Village health workers conduct the following procedures:

- Cervical cancer screening

- Diagnosing and treating routine gynaecological problems

- Health education

- Antenatal care

- Conducting laboratory tests

- Maintaining detailed patient records

- Aiding in pharmacy operations

Patient Counselors: IRHS have also trained patient counselors. These counselors are based in the city (Hyderabad) and are located at two points: the Mahatma Gandhi bus station and hospital.

Mahatma Gandhi bus station patient counselors: These counselors guide rural referral patients from IRHS clinics to the hospitals they have an appointment with. In addition, health education on HIV/AIDS and family planning (including free condoms) is imparted to all travelers. The office also provides basic first aid.

Patient Counselors in hospitals: IRHS patient counsellors are stationed in all major government hospitals in Hyderabad, through a legal government order. They work closely with the counselors at Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station to ensure that poor rural people received the care they are entitled to. Their roles include guiding patients through the administrative process in the hospitals, counseling patients on the treatment to be provided and funding patients and families on clinical care, transportation, food and accommodation.