Week 4 Day 2: Bangalore, India - Update on past few weeks

I need to apologize for not updating my blog for the past couple of weeks. For around two weeks, my stomach was giving me problems, resulting in symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in the morning. I think that my stomach was just adjusting to Indian food, so I ended up fasting on fruits for a while. I am happy to say though that I believe that I have now fully recovered. My appetite has returned and I am very glad to be able to enjoy good old Indian food again. :)

During my two weeks of feeling ill, we actually were exposed to quite a few interesting experiences. Here is a list of some of our lectures/field visits this week to give you a taste of what I've been learning about:

Coordinator Lectures:

• Food, culture and traditions and their relationship with home based remedies (Bhargavi S. Rao)
• Water management in Bangalore and its relation to public health (Bhargavi S. Rao)
• Right to water in the context of the politics of provisioning of services, privitization and risks to public health (Leo Saldanha)

Guest Lectures

• An overview of the structure of governance and roles of central, state and local governments in health care management and delivery (Dr. Subbarayan Prasanna, formerly professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Dean at Indian Institute of Management)
• Health care practices in India (Dr. Shirdi Prasad Tekur, community health specialist and pediatrician)
• Issues and concerns of women's movements in India and historical overview (Ms. Madhu Bhushan, Women's Activist Group Vimochana)
• Status of public health and health care delivery systems in Karnataka - policy, budget, expenditures and challenges (Dr. H. Sudarshan)
• Issues around access to formal legal system to women (Rekha, Women's Activist Group, Hengasara Hakkina Sangha)
• Faith healing and people's practies in alternative health remedies (Dr. Shirdi Prasad Tekur)
• AIDS and HIV in Karnataka - situation and response (Asha Ramaih, Karnataka Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Bangalore)
• The 3rd gender- transgender desirse, displacement contexts and the question of their human rights (Interaction with activist group on sexual minorities - Sangama)

Panel Discussion

• Where do I go when I am sick? Panel of participants from various low income groups including a farmer, security guard, and domestic help

Field Visits

• Bangalore Medical College Victoria Hospital
• Traditional Market
• Slum neighborhood - appreciating access to water dynamics in low income neighborhoods
• Visit to water and sewage treatment plant and interaction with officials of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board