The MedicIndia M4 rotation is based in variable locations and different communities depending on student choice and selection.  Please note that if you are interested in working with a particular community in a particular location, email us to see if we will be establishing such a program.  While the possibilities are endless, we will ask that you be willing to venture with a new organization to pilot such a program available for future students.

Currently, MedicIndia is establishing rotation programs with the following:
     1.  New Civil Hospital - This 1,500+ bed state hospital is similar to a US county / state
          hospital It provides free health care to all who come to its doors.  Generally, it is
          attended by both migratory workers and rural farm hands.  With limited resources and
          an unending cry for help, the hospital does its best to provide the support that it can. 
          It is located in the heart of Surat near to Ghod Dod Road. 
     
      2  Sewa Rural - This NGO is located in Jaghadeeya, GJ, about three hours west of
          Surat.  It's story is remarkable.  Sewa Rural was started by Dr. Anil-bhai and Lata-ben
          who completed their residencies in the Eastern US.  This couple returned to India to
          take over a government public health center while simultaneously beginning a local
          NGO that has decreased childhood mortality, alcohol abuse, and trauma.  They work
          surrounding villages and also sponsor various plastic surgery, eye, and other camps.
     
      3. Shamalaji PHC - This public health center was taken over by Dr. Joshipura, also a
          US practiced doctor.  Dr. Joshipura is working to establish the PHC in its local
          community of Shamalaji and surrounding villages. 

As for the city of Surat, it is the second largest city in Gujarat
.  Recent numbers show that the population is over 3 million.  The developing city is located on the southwestern coast of Gujarat.  Because of its prime location near bodies of water and other major cities, Surat has historically been a center of trade and industry.  Surat is surrounded by numerous villages.  These villagers often are of variable tribal classes.  As Surat is the largest city amongst these villages, many villagers migrate from both Gujarat, Maharashtra, and local tribal villages nearby Surat for labor.  From this migration of people with different dialects, Surat poses a linguistic problem similar to Mumbai. One can often find Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi while walking down the street.

Many of the cities in the slums of India have small clusters of huts located around a central location.  Surat, however, poses a different, longer stretch of housing.  According to Pratham, almost 29% of the population of Surat (i.e. about .9 million inhabitants) lives in slums. More so, there are 289 recognized slum pockets distributed across the city and 265 municipal schools with a total enrolment of about 150,000 students.

Fortunately for the Surat population, the Surat Municipal Corporation plays a more active role than most municipal corporations in India.  Since the destructive plague in Surat in 1994, the corporation has stepped up its role in maintaining a clean, safer environment.  As the environment improved, analysts saw the health of the people improve drastically.  The corporation also ensures the proper functioning of numerous hospitals throughout the area.  One of these hospitals is the New Civic Hospital of Surat.  The hospital has 1,050 beds and can have 1,500 patients.  About 60-70 new patients come per day.  It is at this hospital that MedicIndia fellows will undergo their fellowship term.

The people of southern Gujarat, like those throughout India, contribute to the diversity and amazement of India.  In the people of India lies the true wealth and upbringing of the country.  It is with these people that MedicIndia hopes to involve you with.