expertise required
Dr. Nonika Rajkumari, Additional Professor, Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry and Course Coordinator (JIPMER HAT) for GHHM (South Asia) says that tropical diseases refer to a group of disorders, which are largely neglected by the medical community. is done. “India is home to many tropical diseases, which mostly affect people living in rural and remote areas. Patients suffering from many of these diseases can be cured if treated on time. Thus, there is a need to spread awareness about formal education in tropical diseases,” she says.
Education Options Available
At present, education in tropical diseases is combined with general medical training, says Dr Rajesh Nachiappa Ganesh, Professor, Department of Pathology, JIPMER, Puducherry. “Formal education in tropical diseases is an amalgamation of laboratory-based clinical training and clinical training. In India, specialized training is provided in this area in some colleges, where students obtain a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in infectious diseases. can,” he says.
He said that Certificate Course in Tropical Diseases is a suitable way to increase awareness and increase interest of medical students in this field.
Dr Swati Nanda, Course Coordinator, GHHM (South Asia) says, “Since 2017 MSF is offering Ten Month Long Certificate Course (GHHM). “MBBS students who have completed their internship and have at least two years of work experience are eligible. The curriculum uses a combination of training methods, which include weekly webinars, group activities discussing real-life scenarios, and a three-day parasite laboratory training program at three partner institutions of CMC Vellore, JIPMER Puducherry and Manipal Institute of Health Education, She says.
The Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine serves as the primary textbook for teaching students. “Training usually revolves around understanding each tropical disease in detail, including its affected areas, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. The aim is to help students be prepared to deal with patients once the course is over. Have to do it,” says Dr Rajkumari.
Dr Nanda says that by 2021, there were 60 seats in the curriculum for students from Asian countries, which is set to be increased to 80 this year. “Since 2017, a total of 128 Indian students have been a part of this course,” she adds. Once students complete the course, they become eligible for a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at the Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom, she says.
benefits for experts
Dr Ganesh and Dr Kumar agree that as experts in this field, it is extremely satisfying to be able to treat patients who may not have access to the financial funds needed for proper treatment. Dr Kumar says, “As a physician dealing with tropical diseases, this is never an issue and it is very satisfying to see that patients get treated on time.”
Dr Ganesh says that since most of these diseases are treatable, the high mortality rate brings great satisfaction to doctors, something that is missing in various other specialties.
Dr. Farhat Mantu, Director General, MSF South Asia, says, “Many mid-career doctors work in remote parts of the country with massive workloads and are rarely given the opportunity to enhance their academic knowledge and contribute to continuing medical education. Opportunity to invest. GHHMC brings to such professionals high quality, flexible and blended experiential learning curriculum.” Dr Rajkumari emphasized, “Since mid-level doctors have already made a name for themselves in their chosen specializations, this training and Subsequent humanitarian work allows them to open up and feel satisfied about the treatment of neglected sections of society. This course serves to enhance the skills of these doctors.”