Int’l Nursing students visit Chitkara, gain hands-on experience of Healthcare delivery system in India
As a part of global health initiative, a team of seven Nursing Students – S. Nicholson, A. Lin, C. Meng, A. Alegado, C. Canerdy, J. Smith and T. Ryland, from College of Graduate Nursing – Western University of Health Sciences, California, accompanied by faculty members, Dr. Ivy Tuason, Assistant Dean, College of Graduate Nursing; and Dr. Ruth Trudgeon, Assistant Professor, College of Graduate Nursing; visited the Chitkara University campus for Short Mobility Program ‘Nurse in India@2019’.
The guests were warmly welcomed by Chitkara University and allotted ‘buddy students’ to enhance their learning experience for the duration of their stay.
On Day 2, our International guest students were taken for a visit to Community Health Center, Kalomjra, where they were explained about various National Health Programs and services provided in the CHC. Later, the students were taken for a village tour and home visit. Each group, including Nursing students of Western University and Chitkara University, were allotted with three families for whom they conducted family, individual and environmental home assessments. Students of both the Universities worked collaboratively to do a thorough assessment of each family individual and planned for Home Nursing Care.
On Day 3, during the morning session, students of Western University along with the Buddy students of Chitkara University revisited the allotted houses in Kalomajra village for a follow-up visit. After the family assessment, students performed various procedures like urine analysis, Hb estimation, antenatal assessment, postnatal assessment and under 5 assessment of children. Health education and counseling sessions were also held for the residents of the village as per need and priority. In the afternoon session, the team from Western University took a visit to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, to get an insight and gain first-hand knowledge of the private healthcare sector in India.
On Day 4, in order to understand the basic concepts of School Health Services, students were taken to Government Primary School, Kalomajra, where they organised a School Health Camp, which covered the complete assessment of all the school children. Health education was delivered on hand washing, balanced diet and accident prevention. Students were also distributed Iron and De-worming tablets. The day concluded with the role play on the importance of personal hygiene.
On the final day, an international workshop on ‘Healthcare Delivery System in India vs US’ was organised by the Department of Nursing, Chitkara School of Health Sciences. Dr. Ivy Tuason and Dr. Ruth Trudgeon delivered Expert Lectures on ‘Nurse Led Projects’, followed by an Interactive Group discussion session on topics – Determinants of health, Impact of Health insurance, public health issues and family welfare programs in India vs USA.
Finally, all the Guests and participants were felicitated by Honourable Dr. Madhu Chitkara. Both Universities exchanged hands of experience in a matter of knowledge and culture information. The session concluded with a foot-tapping Bhangra performance, which had everyone dancing to the peppy beats of Punjabi music.
