Volunteer Manual by Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre

MEENAKSHI MISSION HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTRE (Run by S .R.Trust)

No man is too poor to afford first grade medical treatment

Volunteer Manual

DEPAR TMENT OF R ESOUR CE AND DEVELOPMENT

Volunteer Manual and Guide

 Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre Lake Area, Melur Road Madurai, Tamil nadu, India – 625 107 Phone + 91-452-258874, 4263000• Fax 91-452-2586353

No man is too poor to afford first Grade Medical Treatment

Table of Contents Warm Welcome ……………..………………………………1 About the hospital……………………………………………2 About the Services…………………………………………..3 Volunteer Service at MMHRC……………………………...6 About the city…………………………………………………7 Transport……………………………………………………..9 Do’s……………………………...…………………………...10 Don’ts…………………….…………………………………..11 Maintaining your health, clothing………………………….12 Tamil expressions and Vocabulary……………………….13 Google Earth Bird-eye view of the hospital………………15 Experiences of Volunteers…………………………………15

World Class Care within everybody’s reach

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Warm Welcome ! Mission: World Class Care within Everybody’s Reach Vision: No man is too poor to afford first grade medical treatment Values: Care, Compassion, Commitment, Charity, Empathy, Qulatiy Service

hank you for your commitment and time you dedicate to the Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), Madurai and for the charity activities. The hospital as a premier, regional health care provider and has marked a milestone as one among the Top 10 hospitals in the country for the overall performance in quality patient care services. The hospital’s commitment to achieve the mission – to serve the poor and needy through our innumerable charity services has made to our hospital receive Modern Medicare Award for “Social Responsibility Initiative of the year 2007” from GE for its comprehensive work in extending our services to the people Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) The journey of the hospital is stepping forth in providing the volunteering service by inviting volunteers all over the world. Volunteers from MBA without borders, USA, Mexico, IOWA University and doctors from SmileTrain are regularly visiting volunteers to the hospital. Generally the visiting Volunteers interests on the patients care, those who affected by cancer, HIV and cleft lip/palate and so on With diversified specialty of 42 various medical departments, a college comprises of 320 students, approved by 2 Universities of Tamil nadu, an in-built library which could serve as a fantastic environment for the volunteers visiting here for service. With this introduction, I welcome you to our hospital, Madurai and sincerely hope that your experience will challenge and gratify you, that you will find it deeply meaningful and rewarding

Thank you once again, I’ll be waiting to see you in person! Warm Regards,

Dr. N. Sethuraman Founder Chairman Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai 1

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

About the Hospital:

eenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre is a 600 bed dynamic multi specialty premier Health Care Institution run by S.R. Trust was established on 1985 (Reg. No: 291/85 Dated May 9, 1985), radiates from Madurai which implements socio medical activities among the needy poor of southern districts in Tamil Nadu with access to international health care services with the mission of “World class care within every body’s reach”. There are 46 Medical Departments and 24 Supportive Non Medical Department with 1170 staff members. MMHRC is the primary-referral and tertiary health care institution to provide quality health care services at an affordable cost. Diagnostic Services like 24 Hour Clinical Laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, Whole Body Spiral CT Scan, Imaging sciences consisting of Whole body, Color Doppler Ultra sound scans, MRI, Endoscopy, SPECT Gamma Camera, Bronchoscopes, ELISA Reader, Mammography, Pathology, Micro Biology & Bio Chemistry Emergency Services like Accident and Trauma Care Unit, Intensive Respiratory Care, Unit, Intensive Medical Care Unit, Intensive Pediatric Care Unit. Intensive Coronary Care Unit, Blood Bank. Neuro Intensive Care Unit Specialty Clinic like Allergy & Asthma Clinic, Impotence and Infertility Clinic, Diabetic Clinic, STIs / HIV/ AIDS Clinic, Pain Clinic, Therapeutic Endoscopy, Super Specialty Services like Cardio Thoracic Surgery, Oncology Surgical & Medical Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Genito Urinary Surgery, Neurology & Neuro surgery Andrology, Plastic Surgeries. Medical Department web-link: Andrology & Urology: http://www.meenakshimission.org/andrology.html Cardiology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/cardiology.html Cardio Anaesthesiology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/cardiac.html Cardio-thoracic & Vascular Surgery : http://www.meenakshimission.org/cardio.html Dental and Oral Surgery : http://www.meenakshimission.org/dental.html Dermatology & Venereology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/dermatology.html General Medicine : http://www.meenakshimission.org/general.html

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Nephrology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/nephrology.html Neurology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/neurology.html Neurosurgery : http://www.meenakshimission.org/neurosurgery.html Ophthalmology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/ophthalmology.html Orthopaedics and Traumaology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/orthopaedics.html

Otorhinolaryngology (E.N.T): http://www.meenakshimission.org/ent.html Obstetrics & Gynaecology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/obstetrics.html Medical Oncology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/medical.html Surgical Oncology: http://www.meenakshimission.org/surgical.html Radiation Oncology : http://www.meenakshimission.org/radiation.html Paediatrics & Neonatal ICU: http://www.meenakshimission.org/paediatrics.html Psychiatry & Counselling : http://www.meenakshimission.org/psychiatry.html Plastic Surgery : http://www.meenakshimission.org/plastic.html Surgery & Gastroenterology: http://www.meenakshimission.org/surgery.html Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: http://www.meenakshimission.org/physical.html ORGANIZATIO N ROLE TOWARDS CHARITY 1. Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre- A 600 bed multi speciality charitable hospital providing free treatment for 20% of the inpatients and 40% of the outpatients. 2. Save the little hearts- A programme to provide free corrective surgeries for children living with cardiac diseases. As on today 127 children have been provided with free heart surgeries. 3. Regional Cleft Lip/Palate Centre-MMHRC: Provide free corrective surgeries for persons living with Cleft Lip/Palate. As on today 4167 persons have benefited. 4. The Cancer Care and Palliation Centre: This ward provides 100 % patient free care and support services.

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

5. Care and Support Services for PLWHAs: As on today this centre has prolonged the life span of more than 20,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS. 6. Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre: The centre provides Counseling and free diagnostic test for risk groups and primary partners of PLWHAs, antenatal mothers, high risk groups, to find out the infectious status and prevent parent to child transmission, as an early point of care. 7. STIs/HIV/AIDS Infotech Centre: A digital library, which was spreading the HIV knowledge to students, researchers and NGOs throughout India. 8. Children Living with HIV/AIDS (CLWHs)-Clinton foundation: Our hospital works towards the welfare of the children living with HIV/AIDS, implement different welfare programmes to the children with HIV in collaboration with Clinton foundation. 9. Microscopic Centre-RNTCP- WHO. Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme: Under revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) of World Health Organization (WHO) the district collector & the district TB Centre has sanctioned microscopic centre and DOTS Providers training at S.R/MMHRC. Patients who are approaching TB will be availed free diagnostic test and free drugs for their treatment. 10. MAHASEMAM: Currently this women development programme functioning for the social development of women in 11 districts covering 3,00,000 women in 3000 villages. 11. Meenakshi Rural Upliftment Programme (MERU): In six remote areas MMHRC runs sub centres in collaboration with philanthropists and grassroots level communities covering 100000 populations. The income from these programmes would directly go to the community. 12. Family Planning programme: S.R. Trust implements family planning programme to provide safe family planning (Tubectomy and Vasectomy) operations. 13. Regional Blood banks: This unit collects blood from volunteers and supply safe blood and blood products for the needy unknown patients through different government and private hospitals. Besides, the hospital provides free blood to all the patients, more than 500 bags of blood are collected through free blood donation camps every month.

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

14. Medical/Health Camps: SR Trust organizes more than 60 health camps every month in collaboration with NGOs, clubs and philanthropists in remote villages where treatment is a dream and no access to medical care. 15. Family Counselling Centre: To minimize the psychological wounding and rehabilitate the families in distress, S.R. Trust provides free counselling service in collaboration with Family Court and All Women Police stations in Madurai district. 16. Creche: A comprehensive childcare programme with an objective of enhancing the importance of childcare and its development, especially for the working parents and to bring forth rational behaviour and positive attitude as to develop leadership skills. So far, there are 45 children enrolled in creche. 17. Blindness Control Programme: In collaboration with District Blindness Control society, MMHRC provides free contract surgeries for more than 400-aged persons every month in collaboration with the District Blindness Control Society. Every year in collaboration with Vitamin Angels Alliance, USA we supply free vitamin A capsules, Albendizole tablets and multi vitamin capsules to 2 lakh children. 18. Networking: S.R. Trust organize and equip grassroots level NGOs in Consortium of Service Organizations in Tamil Nadu and NGOs working on HIV/AIDS in to Tamil Nadu Net Work of NGOs working on HIV/AIDS. 19. Free meals: Daily about 100 patients are provided with 3 times nutritious meals at free of cost. Philanthropists support this programme and coin boxes are kept in different places of Tamilnadu.

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Volunteer Services at MMHRC: Olunteer Service is a time-honored service. Volunteers play vital roles in helping and providing support to patients and families at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre. In MMHRC, Volunteering is a rich, rewarding opportunity, working directly with patients and with the concern department to provide with highest quality of hospitality and service. The effective result of volunteering at the hospital is:

V • • • • •

Improved Customer Service Emotional Support for patients and families Additional time for staff to provide professional services Cost savings to the hospital More individuals learning to be advocates for children

The foremost responsibility of a volunteer at MMHRC is to assist patients and staff in an appropriate way. Visiting the patients and providing hospitality, supporting and assisting patients and families are some of the general responsibilities of a volunteer. In addition to the satisfaction of service to patients, as a means of directly getting guidance from the medical staff from the concern departments to serve the patients community, volunteers enjoy participating in the hospital’s fundraising programmes, brand building, marketing, special events, seminars, luncheons and friendship. The placement and assignment to volunteers is based on their qualifications, previous experience as volunteer and especially on the specific department requirements. MMHRC receives many local and international volunteers regularly support the charitable activities of the hospital. Now we receive volunteers from University of IOWA, USA, The Smile Train-USA, Magen David Adom in Israel, UK for helping us in execution of our activities. Why volunteering at the Hospital: People choose Volunteering at the hospital because of their love for mankind and desire to help healthier and happier lives. In addition to that, there are many other reasons people choose to volunteer at our hospital: •

Feeling a need to help others

•

Help make a career decision

•

Complete an internship

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

•

Gain work experience and gain new skills

•

Fulfill community service requirements

•

Learn more about community health care issues

•

Repay for help received

The MMHRC Volunteers play an important role in the progress of process improvement of the hospital. The volunteers from Smile Train are enhancing medical care, provided a personal touch to patients and families, help to streamline for hospital’s growth. The volunteers from local schools and colleges not only help the patients and families by guiding them but also help staff in Reception, Medical Records Department, Pharmacy and Admission Office in busy hours. Age requirements: •

MMHRC requires that volunteers at the age of 19 or older.

Compensation: •

Volunteer positions are unpaid

•

Volunteers do not carry employee status (Neither your position will result in any status as an employee of MMHRC nor will you be entitled to any form of remuneration or job oriented appointment for your service as it is a noble service)

Timings: The hospital functions round the clock. But the timing to serve volunteers is scheduled from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Every Sunday is declared as holiday. Emergency: To confront any emergency situation, the hospital expects to provide proper information such as mobile number, the visiting and residing place they are visited on holidays. Limited free Emergency Medical care can be taken care of the hospital to volunteers. Report: Your overall feed back and experiences, in the form of “Report of Volunteer” would be kept as a reference study material at our hospital Library. Discipline:

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

The hospital has the rigid to terminate the volunteer service in case of any indisciplinary activities found, illegal use of hospital resources or any misconduct.

About Madurai:

adurai is a lotus-shaped city located on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai District of Tamil nadu, surrounded by 3 hills called Yanaimalai, Nagamalai and Pasumalai and considered as the oldest and second largest city in the State, with a history dating all the way back to the sangam period of the pre Christian era. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar (1623 – 1659). He was ever popular, even now by his contribution to the creation of many magnificent structures in and around Madurai. The Raja Gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, The Pudu Mandapam and The Thirumalai Nayakar’s Palace are living monuments to his artistic fervor. Madurai Meenakshi Temple has Festivals in all 12 Tamil months.

FIGURE 1: From left to right: Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple inside view, Raja Gopuram, Thirumalai Nayakar’s Palace inside view.

Madurai is famous for textile market and jasmine flowers. Everything is available from the basic necessities to electronic gadgets. Chungudi cotton sarees from Madurai has demand all over the country. The enchanting fragrance of Jasmine flowers all around Madurai gives you a warm welcome into the city. These Jasmine flowers are being exported to Singapore and Middle East countries.

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Transport: he volunteers from all over the world can reach the hospital easily as the city is well-connected by air, rail and road. Madurai Airport is approximately 6 miles (10 km) from the Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research centre, connected by NH 45B National Highway; currently it offers flight service to Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. The nearest international airport is in Coimbatore, which is just 99 miles (160 km) from Madurai.

The railway station is one the busiest in the country and has computerized reservation counters; the Railway code for its junction is MDU. Madurai has several major bus stations. But the central bus Stand (Mattuthavani Bus stand) near the Meenakshi Mission hospital is one of the busiest one among other bus Stands, from which many buses to and from locations all over the country run round the clock. The Distance between Madurai to Chennai is 444 kilo meters (276 miles)

Madurai is connected by major National Highways: NH 7: Bangalore – Salem – Dindigul – Madurai – Tirunelveli – Kanyakumari NH 45B: Trichy – Madurai – Tuticorin NH 49: Madurai – Rameswaram NH 49 extn: Madurai – Theni – Bodi – Cochin

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

DO’S : •

Know your role and responsibilities.

•

Show up on Time, Be punctual

•

Have good co-ordination with staff members of the hospital

•

Do attend Orientation meeting and Other seminars being organized at the hospital

•

Wear non-transparent costumes at the hospital premises

•

Do expect to get plenty of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from your volunteer experience

•

Always be prepared to learn what will be needed

•

Always carry your passport and related documents with you, keep it safely.

•

If you find yourself in any legal hassle, immediately contact us

•

Copies of all forms of your ID and credit card as well as emergency number also

•

Use Credit / Debit Card rather than keeping cash and keep your cash safely

•

Carry maps of the visiting places, you’re visiting

•

Take off your shoes while entering appropriate places

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

DON’TS: •

Don’t expect to start at the top. Work hard and prove your worth before you are given more responsibility

•

Don’t consume employee’s time, start your own volunteer program and do it on your own.

•

Don’t underestimate the challenges that might be a part of your volunteer experience; challenges can be converted into great growth!

•

Avoid getting into strong arguments

•

Don’t visit any restricted areas like Operation Theatre without permission from the authorities

•

Avoid eating food from roadside as it might cause stomach upset

•

Don’t drink waters at wherever you’re visiting; always have a mineral water bottle.

•

Don’t trust strangers.

•

Avoid going out alone of the hospital at odd hours

•

Avoid getting into strong arguments

•

Don’t wear transparent costumes

•

Do not Publish or quote any kind of information without getting permission from the hospital

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Maintaining your health You probably have heard horror stories about getting sick in India. And to be honest with you, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure the healthiest stay to avoid some sort of stomach upset at some point. 1. Don’t drink any water, drink only bottled water at all times. 2. Carry and Use sunscreen lotion or cream and insect repellant as needed. 3. Don’t eat any food items available in the street, stay clear of fruits that cannot be pealed, especially grapes, do not eat raw vegetables. 4. Keep your hands always clean; remember to wash your hands with soap and water. 5. Carry hand sanitizer can greatly reduce the risk of illness. 6. Don’t walk in roads after 9. Pm, you are requested to come to the campus in time if you go out. 7. Don’t wear shoes inside personal homes, temples, churches, shops etc. there will be a collection of shoes outside such establishments, and you are asked to remove the shoes before entering.

Clothing: In India, especially city like Madurai, you rarely see people wearing shots. The hospital strongly discourage you wearing shorts, especially women during their volunteer service. Also, some things that we do not give a second thought to will considered scandalous there off the shoulder tops, tank tops, above the ankle shirts. You will be stared at enough; you don’t need to add it by dressing in a way that will draw even more attention to you.

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

The hospital recommends wearing formal wears like shirts and pants for gents and salwar kameez, churidar along with dubatta for ladies to have formal look.

Tamil Expressions and Vocabulary: Salutations: 1. Hello

Vanakkam

2. Good Morning

Kaalai Vanakkam

3. Thank you

Nandri

4. How are you?

Epadi Irukeenga

5. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Welcome

Varuga

6. See you again

Nandri Meendum Varuga

7. Good Bye

Meendum Sandhippom

8. What is your name?

Unga peyar enna?

9. My name is_______

En peyar________

10. Where are you from?

Neenga Engirundu Varrenga?

11. I come from________

Nan AMERICAvil irundhu varaen

___________Enga irukudhu?

13. I want to go to______

Nan __________Poganum

14. May I go with you?

Nan avarudan pogava?

15. Turn Left

Idathu pakam thirumbunga

16. Turn Right

Valadhu pakam Thirumbunga

17. Stop

Niruthunga

18. Here

Inga

19. Hospital

Maruthuvamanai

20. Wrong

Thavaru

21. Right

Sari

Introducing:

Directions and Places: 12. Where is the______?

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

22. Yes

Amaam

23. No

Illai

_________iruka?

25. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very hungry

Enaku romba pasikudhu

26. I would like to eat______

Enaku________Sapidanum poliruku

27. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delicious

Suvaiya irukku

28. Give me the bill

Enaku Bill kudunga

29. Water

Thanneer

30. What?

Enna

31. Father

Appaa

32. Mother

Amma

33. Brother

Annan

34. Sister

Sagothari

At the Restaurant: 24. Do you have_______?

Some Other colloquial words:

(Thangai-Young, Akka-Elder) 35. Husband

Kanavan

36. Wife

Manaivi

37. Breakfast

Kaalai Unavu

38. Lunch

Madhiya Unavu

39. Dinner

Iravu Unavu

40. Day

Naal

41. Night

Iravu

42. Evening

Maalai

43. Vehicle

Vandi

44. Listen

Kavani

45. You

Nee

46. Mine

Ennudayathu

47. Time

Neram

48. Thank you

Nandri

49. Go

Poitu Vaanga 14

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Google Earth View of the Hospital

MMHRC Volunteer Experiences: • Suraj Basnet, USA http://mbaswithoutborders.org/borderless/2007/07/07/suraj-basnet-inindia/ •

Dr. Elías Romero, Mexico

http://www.patooral.bravepages.com/ingles/IntercambiosIng/INGIntercam bios_Madurai_India_May2008.html

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER

M M H R C | V O L U N T E E R

Write your questions and queries to:

The Volunteer in-charge The Department of Resource and Development Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Lake Area, Melur Road, Madurai - 625 107. Tamil nadu, India. Phone: +91- 452-2588741, 4263000 extn: 3011, 3412. Direct Line: +91- 452 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2580243 Fax: +91- 452-2586353 Mobile: 9443543786 e.mail: volunteer@meenakshimission.org

MMHRC | VOLUNTEER