Pre-Departure Research Critique

My time at the Public Health Research Institute of India in Mysore will be centered around the infant and antenatal care. This targets the population of expecting mothers, and their children living in rural communities (including Mysore and their 144 surrounding villages) that have limited access to safe healthcare. A goal for PHRII is increasing antenatal care and HIV testing among rural pregnant women and increasing safe medical practices in order to have high-quality medical care. Healthcare among pregnant women and mothers is of interest to me because the care those women receive determines critically the quality of life they (mothers and children) will have. The number of infant mortality is on the rise, being able to spread the importance of medical screenings, hygiene, breastfeeding and safe family planning would decrease that number. Mothers and children should not suffer, being able to bring medical care and awareness through the mobile medical clinic will impact the life of numerous families. Working at PHRII I am interested in seeing their initiative on spreading the importance of immunizations, making sure the newborn babies are given a set schedule of critical vaccinations would mean a future of eradicated diseases in India. 

 

The past six months in preparation for this trip has been a long journey. Whether I was at the consulate applying for my passport, or at a family dinner it appeared as though everyone had a say in what my experience would be. Although my family members have been extremely supportive, other's have not been. Comments like "they rape women over there" and, "try not to get AIDS" have been something I hear a lot of lately. Trying to process all the negativity has not been easy, but what keeps me centered is knowing that my journey over there is going to be for a good cause: spreading global health. 

 

I am curious to see first-hand what life will be like in the rural communities, being able to bring back home knowledge on global health would mean spreading awareness versus spreading stereotypes.