IFCH

Are you looking for a new perspective of health care? Do you want to explore a new health care system? See what type of specializations you may want to do in your medical degree? An internship at IFCH is the opportunity of a lifetime. IFCH HAS ON-SITE VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION!!! CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!

Contact Us Today for more information!

WHY?

We are trying to set up an information sharing network. The health care system in Nepal is very different from the North American system. We believe that this exchange will give some perspective to both. It is an opportunity for professionals and students to share ideas and values from their respective countries. Learn about some ayurvedic medicines that can be prescribed for a cold. Or share your knowledge of a different way to clean a baby in the ICU. There are many lessons to be shared.

Health care professionals deal with many challenges in everyday care for patients. A main concern is the Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) cases that are so common in Nepal. Advanced cases of pulmonary or abdominal tuberculosis are rampant in Nepal. Chest infection and pneumonia are the most common reason for admittance into both the wards and the ICU. Advanced stages of viral meningitis are also a large concern and very common. An internship at IFCH will expose you to some of these challenges and the unfortunate reality of the health care situation in Nepal.

IFCH PROGRAM:

Rotate through the different departments

• OPD and Emergency
• General Ward care
• Intensive care and neonatal intensive care
• Operating Room
• Work with specialists from orthopedics, ENT and dental.

WHO CAN APPLY?

EVERYONE! IFCH welcomes anyone with some experience of interest in the health care field. This includes

• Doctors, surgeons and specialists Nurses
• Medical or nursing students
• Physiotherapists or physiotherapy students
• Dentists
• Dieticians and Nutrition Experts
• Health Sciences students

There are two requirements for an internship at IFCH – an open mind and a sense of independence. We are looking for individuals who are not afraid to ask questions, and to be involved in the patient experience. We have the contacts to create the experience you want to build. We are also able to do low-cost or free camps for surgeries, treatments or educational programs for Nepali people. We will work with the staff at IFCH to create an experience that fits for your time frame, expertise and wishes.

EXPLORE NEPAL

We can assist you in setting up excursions around the country, and into neighbouring countries. Some ideas are:

• Trekking into the Khumbu valley and amazing Mount Everest Base Camp (2 weeks)
• Visit the Annapurnas, do a 2 week trek into Annapurna Sanctuary and Basecamp, or a one week trek to Poon Hill for a view of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri range (3 to 21 days)
• Head to Chitwan National Park for an elephant ride and rhinoceros hunting. (2 to 5 days)
• Visit beautiful Nagarkot for an amazing view of the Kathmandu Valley and surroundings. (1 day)
• Plus visit the amazing sites around Kathmandu City, with famous Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and World Historic Site Bhaktapur city. (Day trips)

We ask your commitment at IFCH be at least 2 weeks long, working a 5 or 6 day work week (you can work every day if you want!). This allows you some time to adjust to the hospital settings, get to know the staff and really experience the hospital.

Adding this experience to a trip to Nepal will make your experience more authentic and meaningful, and has the potential to change the lives of the patients you see and the medical staff that you interact with.

COST:

Currently, the cost of the program is nothing. Participation has no fee. We do appreciate you to make a donation to IFCH or BABU for every week you are in the program. Similar programs in nearby hospitals charge a fee of about $50.00 USD per week. We will soon be able to offer tax receipts for any Canadian dollars donated to BABU. All money raised will be used for programs in the hospital. Every dollar you donate will go directly to the hospital. You can donate to a general fund, or request that certain equipment be purchased from your donation. Money can also be put into health programs or subsidies for treatment to low-income individuals.

Another option is to assist us with the acquiring of equipment to bringing to IFCH. If you have contacts within the medical field, or would like to help us in our work to increase the facilities available at IFCH, we can help you take the initial steps to make that happen.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Travel vaccinations - many need to begin a few months before you leave for your travels. Please see your local travel clinic for more details
• Nepal has a Visa entry fee - $15 for 2 weeks, $40 for 30 days, $100 for 90 days. Visa extensions are available if you decide to stay longer than originally intended.
• We can assist you with accommodation and meals at your request, as well as provide assistance booking any travel you wish to do within the country or to neighbouring countries.

WHO IS BABU?

We are a registered Canadian charity based out of Toronto, Ontario. We are all students of various health fields, and have all experienced the health care system in Nepal. We all firmly believe that this is an experience that will change your life. It will make you explore your ethics, test your boundaries, make you think outside the Western box. Upon meeting Dr. Shakya, our lives changed. For better or worse, there is no way we will ever forget Nepal, and have now made it our mission to support Dr. Shakya’s vision of IFCH and his quest for a better quality and better serving pediatric medical system for all individuals iin Nepal. We work with equipment exchange from Canadian hospitals and private clinics to help supply vital equipment to a growing hospital. We help to raise money to create programs for low-income individuals at the hospital. We hold courses on some of the basic health concerns for Nepali people, such as hygiene, nutrition and breastfeeding. And we are encouraging people to visit IFCH.

Go for 3 weeks, go for 3 months. Change your life forever.

Current Fundraising Efforts:

Pilot Hat Pilot Project

We are working in conjunction with A Bit of Banff and Sleeping Buffalo in Banff, Alberta, Canada. They are selling Nepal-made woolen hats and mittens, and a portion of their profits they are donating to BABU to give back to IFCH.