Nepal Trip Team Med Co-coordinator: Rach Mende (Med IV/B Med Sc) – rsmen2@student.monash.edu

Why Nepal? Nepal remains to be one of the poorest countries in the world Many people have extremely poor access to healthcare due to both inadequate infrastructure and the geography of the country meaning that many rural communities are extremely inaccessible.

What to Expect? Visit local hospitals and health centres in Kathmandu to understand the local health system and the way it is delivered in Nepal. Last minute shopping before preparing for the big Hike into the mountains Hike in the stunning foothills of the Himalayas to 2 isolated rural Nepalese villages.

What to Expect? – Cont. Set up your own medical clinic in these villages Clerk your own patients – taking histories, performing examinations and devising a management plan Implement health promotion strategy to local school children/nuns Organise medical supplies and medications to be donated to local health posts

NGO - Himalayan Guge Organisation Whilst in Nepal we work with an NGO called Himalayan Guge Organisation – set up in 2013 and ran by Tashi Phuntsok Tashi organises our itinerary, advertises the medical clinic and accompanies us/guides us throughout our stay in Nepal. Tashi has also had a long term relationship with the main community that we visit for over 10 years, he knows the area well, runs medical camps throughout the year and is working to build a permanent clinic in Bigu that is one of Team Med’s long term fundraising projects

Preparation Regular Meetings prior to trip to organise Book Flights Trip Dates (2016 trip Nov 30-Dec14) Fundraising Trip Sponsors Donations Health promotion – dental hygiene, hand hygiene etc. Book Flights Organise translators and Pay Nepalese doctor who accompanies us. Organise pre-travel vaccinations/health requirements

Application Applications will open around mid May so fill in an application form. ALL YEAR LEVELS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY – if you are nervous about your clinical abilities, we will be running crash courses so brush up on clinical skills and we will pair you with a clin student in the clinic so you’re not left to fend for yourself!! Interviews can be held in person or over the phone. ~ 10 students will be selected to partake in the trip! Flights ~$750-1000AUD return Trip – $855 USD ( covers: all accommodation, airport transfers, meals whilst hiking and staying in villages, porters, hiking guides, translators etc.) Spending money ~$500 AUD Cost

Travelling Nepal Nepal is a beautiful country and if you’re an avid hiker, it’s the Team Med for you! It is also home to the highest mountain in the world – MT Everest – and a hike to base camp is definitely one of the highlights of my trip last year