India – Kolkata Signature

The Need

***Note: Full COVID-19 Vaccination is Required for Participation***

India is the world’s second most populous country, and despite a well-trained and functional health care system, the country still faces significant public health issues.  Sanitation, overcrowding, and poverty all contribute to illness, especially among the poor. In 2018, India reported about a 29.9% infant mortality rate. India also still faces several gender health disparities, where women are more vulnerable to different health risks. 

Join International Medical Relief (IMR) in providing quality medical care for communities within and surrounding Kolkata. The team will care for those with the greatest need for medical attention. Our clinics are nestled among the throwback of centuries old traditions in eastern India. Engage with this culture first-hand as you provide greatly needed medical care to the densely inhabited communities. Those left out of the medical system will not only get medical attention, but will also be given needed education to help them survive in places where healthcare is difficult to access.

Our Work

International Medical Relief began relief efforts in India in 2011 and has since served 16,000 patients with 430 IMR staff and volunteers. IMR continues to provide sustainable health care through education initiatives towards the communities we serve. Some of the educational sessions that were provided include the following: clean water, dehydration/rehydration, malnutrition, family planning, oral health, respiratory diseases, malaria prevention and hygiene/hand washing.

With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.

IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing. 

In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.

This Mission

Kolkata was the capital city of India during the British ruling empire. On your tour, stroll
down the streets of old Calcutta to The Raj Bhaven (home of the Indian governor) and
Calcutta High Court (oldest in India). You will get up close to the world-famous River Ganga
and the Howrah suspension bridge that connects Howrah to Kolkata. This river played a
great role in the history of Asian exploration.

According to the World Health Organization, India is recording very high infant mortality and a high death rate due to malaria from improper diagnosis, treatment and care. It is imperative for IMR to continue to help the people in India and overcome these health conditions.

You can expect to see many respiratory conditions, including lower respiratory infections. Diarrheal diseases and accompanying dehydration are common and the fourth most common cause of death. Chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, COPD, and asthma will be common. Many patients are undiagnosed and your diagnosis will be of great importance to their future health; education is the first line of treatment for many of these patients.

From a public health perspective, unsafe drinking water in urban and rural areas is the primary concern. Tobacco, alcohol, accidental and self-inflicted injury, and nutritional problems are also significant public health issues.

Lodging/Transportation

On this Signature trip, you will be staying in a luxurious hotel with many amenities. Transportation to and from clinic will be provided each day. If you travel on the group flight, all of your airport transportation to and from the hotel will be pre-arranged. For those flying into Kolkata independently, you have the option to include your airport transportation for an additional charge through our partner, Worldwide Navigators.

Highlights

The lasting connections that you make with the people of Kolkata within and out of clinic will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip.

Throughout the week you will get to walk in the humble footsteps Mother Teresa walked for so many years where you will serve the most poor and needy. Visit College Street with its hundreds of book stores, see St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Victoria Memorial, built for Queen Victoria who never made the three-month-long journey to see it. Experience the Indian markets full of local Bengali spices and foods, or try your hand at modeling a Saree with its yards of colorful, flowing fabric.

Extend Your Stay

Since you are already venturing across the globe, have you considered extending your stay by a few days to see some of the top tourist destinations around Delhi? IMR offers an exclusive three-day extension to its volunteers provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators.

Worldwide Navigators offers a fantastic opportunity to continue your trip and explore off the beaten path, giving you more time to see the sights in India.

Highlights include:

• Discover the world-renowned Taj Mahal, learning the history and magic at every turn
• Explore the winding streets of Old & New Delhi, and uncover what makes this city tick
• Visit the historical Humayun’s Tomb

See the Extensions tab on this page for details on this amazing experience!