:
Overseas
Volunteers ::
INFORMATION
FOR VOLUNTEERS
Wanless
Hospital, Miraj Medical Centre;Miraj,
District Sangli; 416410, Maharashtra, India (updated
September 2005)
Dr.
Prabha Quraishi MD(PATH) - Director
Phones: Director’s Residence: 011-91-233-2211286
(from USA) Director’s Office: 011-91-233-2222548.
FAX:
011-91-233-2223413 (from USA)
E-mail: wanlesshospital@dataone.in
When
telephoning, remember the time in India is 10-1/2
hours ahead
of
USA Eastern Standard Time(EST) and 9-1/2 hours ahead
of Eastern Daylight Time.
For
example, 12:00 noon EST is 10:30 pm that night in
India.
FAX
messages and e-mails can be received any time.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
The
Wanless Hospital had its beginning as a small dispensary
started in 1890 in the Miraj (Meer’-udge) Bazaar
by Dr. William Wanless, pioneer Presbyterian medical
missionary. The first of the present buildings was
opened in 1894. Today it has grown to meet the pressing
medical needs of the area into a large complex institution
of over 300 beds, the Miraj Medical Centre (MMC).
The Miraj Medical Centre functions under a unique
agreement with the State Government as a private Christian
teaching hospital attached to a government medical
college. In addition, it maintains an accredited College
of Nursing, an Institute of Pharmacy, and diploma
courses for x-ray, laboratory, and medical records
technicians. It works closely with the Richardson
Leprosy Hospital.
In
addition to basic services in medicine, surgery, paediatrics,
obstetrics and gynaecology, the medical center has
developed a range of specialties including cobalt
therapy for cancer, manufacture of orthopaedic appliances
and prostheses, burn treatment and plastic surgery,
cardiology and cardiac surgery, neurology and neurosurgery,
high risk obstetrical care, and treatment of kidney
failure by haemodialysis and kidney transplantation.
Miraj is the only such medical center for 15 million
people within a radius of 150 miles.
In
addition to such specialized hospital care, the center
has pioneered in health professional education, in
community health education, preventive and basic health
services in six surrounding villages through the very
active Department of Community Health.
The
hospital is staffed by skilled Indian doctors, nurses
and paramedical workers. However, there are many situations
in which qualified, short-term specialists from abroad
can be of great assistance. Your role as a volunteer
would be primarily that of working with a counterpart
on the Miraj staff, sharing new techniques or different
insights. This would help to upgrade the capability
of the particular individual or department. In turn
you would learn much about the challenges of health
care in a developing country, and
about
the people and culture of India. You are encouraged
to bring updating professional talks on slides, overhead
transparencies or power-point presentation for medical
seminars.
LOCATION
Miraj
is located about 280 miles (twelve hours by train)
south and inland from the city of Mumbai (Bombay),
on the border of the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
On a map you will find it 150 miles directly south
of Pune (Poona) and near the city of Kolhapur. The
population of Miraj is about 150,000 of which about
60% are Hindus, 38% Muslims and 2% Christians. The
setting is rural. Known since the days of Dr. Wanless
for its medical facilities, Miraj has become a pilgrimage
town for the sick and the suffering. It is also known
throughout India for the manufacture of the sitar
- a handmade stringed musical instrument.
WEATHER
The
weather in Miraj is much like that of Southern California.
The temperature is moderate throughout the year except
in the hot season months, March to May, when it is
often over 100F. However, even in the hot season,
the nights are relatively cool because of very low
humidity, and 1900 ft. elevation. The monsoon rains
arrive around mid-June and continue until the end
of September. The temperature drops considerably,
the skies are cloudy most of the time, but we do not
actually have a lot of rain in this area. The cool
season lasts from October through January, when a
light sweater or jacket is useful. The days are sunny
and warm but it is chilly early in the morning and
at night, with minimum temperatures of 50-55F.
VISA
REQUIREMENTS
You
should apply several months in advance through your
travel agent for an ordinary tourist visa. An application
can also be downloaded from the web at http://www.indianconsulate-sf.org.
This is good for four months from the day of your
arrival in India with possible extension for another
two months. For the purpose of your visit you should
only state that you are going to visit the Miraj Medical
Centre and other points of interest in India, not
that you are going to work in the hospital, etc.
TRAVEL
TO MIRAJ
Flight
to Mumbai: Mumbai is our nearest international airport.
Many of the major airlines offer special rates to
tourists for a stay of up to four months in India.
Be sure to have your travel agent check several possible
routes and airlines to get the best fare.
As
soon as your travel plans are complete, preferably
at least a month before your expected arrival in Mumbai,
inform the Director, Miraj Medical Centre by e-mail,
fax, or post (allow 2-3 weeks for an air-mail letter.)
1.
Airline, flight number, date and time of arrival in
Mumbai.
2.
Whether you wish to be met at the airport by a representative
of the UCBWM (United Church Board of World Ministries)
for a small fee.
3.
What reservations you want us to make for your stay
in Mumbai
4.
What reservations you need for travel Mumbai to Miraj
to Mumbai. Name, age and sex of each person are required
for reservations. This must be done several weeks
in advance.
5.
Be sure to include your complete contact information,
including telephone number, e-mail address, and fax
number if available.
The
Director’s Office will make the reservations
through the UCBWM in Mumbai and will confirm to you.
Except for air tickets, you can pay after arrival
in India.
AT
SAHAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MUMBAI
Changing
Money: As you go through Immigration and
Customs you will see official counters for changing
money. Change $50-$100 in travelers checks or US dollars
into Indian rupees. The current rate (Y2K) is about
Rs. 45 per dollar. The use of US dollars or getting
them exchanged by unauthorized persons is illegal.
Be sure to get enough small bills (5 and 10 rupees)
to use for taxis, tips, etc. Remember that the purchasing
power of the rupee in India is far more than the 2
cents it is worth against the dollar.
Getting
a Taxi: After finishing with Immigration
and Customs, as you approach the exit, a mob of people
will be waiting outside. You will pass a Taxi Reservation
Booth. Stop here. Give the name of your hotel and
pay the taxi fare which they indicate (using your
new rupees!) They will give you a paper with the number
of your prepaid taxi. When you get outside, sit in
that taxi. If the person from the UCBWM is meeting
you, he will be out here holding up a sign with your
name. He can help you find your taxi and fight off
the people who want to carry your bags. He will accompany
you to your hotel.
STAY
IN MUMBAI
Most
international flights arrive in Mumbai between 1:00AM
and 4:00 AM. It takes 1-2 hours to complete the airport
formalities. If you plan to go on to Miraj by the
day train, we recommend you will need to stay in Mumbai
at least until the next day, because of early morning
departure.
Ambassador Hotel: This is a good medium priced
hotel conveniently located in downtown Mumbai. Also,
the Diplomat Hotel and West End Hotel.
Or
YMCA
International House: Another good place to
stay, located at Mumbai Central (Railroad Station)
run by the YMCAs. Lodging & Boarding at very reasonable
rates. Tel: 23070601/02/03
Or
Methodist
Home: Simple but clean. Less than half the
cost of Ambassador Hotel, located near Mumbai Central,
across the street from YMCA. Breakfast served. Tel:(022)
23098570.
Or
Church
Mission (CM) House: Low-priced dorm.,Breakfast
served. Tel:(022) 23871782.
The
stay in the hotel costs around $50-$200 depending
upon the place you are choosing. YMCA is about $25
per person per night, including buffet breakfast &
supper with private bath and AC.
TRAVEL
MUMBAI TO MIRAJ
1)
TRAVEL BY AIR :-
DECCAN AVIATION (MUMBAI) :-
Bomby Branch Office :-
Postal Address :- Hanger # 8, Juhu Aerodrome, Mumbai
400049.
Email
- ID :- 1. daplmum@vsnl.net
mumbai@deccanair.com
Web Site :- www.deccanair.com
Fax & Mobile :- 1. 022-26611602, 2. 98202-31665, 3. 98200-02303
2)
TRAVEL BY TRAIN :-
You will take one of several trains from CST (earlier
called VT i.e. Victoria Terminus):
Name
of Train Departs From Departure Time Arrival in Miraj
Koyna
Express, #7307 Mumbai CST 8:30AM 7:50 PM same day
Sahyadri
Express,#7303 Mumbai CST 5:30 PM 4:00 AM next day
Mahalaxmi
Express#1011 Mumbai CST 8:25 PM 7:05 AM next day
For
first-time visitors the day train (Koyna Express)
is suggested for seeing the country. On the night
train (Mahalaxmi Express) you can get a berth in an
air-conditioned car with pillow, clean linens &
bedding included. For either train, reservation is
essential. When traveling on the day train, request
a sandwich lunch from the hotel or guesthouse. Mineral
water and soft drinks are available for purchase on
the train. You’ll be met at Miraj Railway Station
by the hospital personnel. Return reservations to
Mumbai can also be made from Miraj. Arrival times
in Bombay (same trains) are: 9:15 pm, 12:30 pm, &
06:35 am, respectively for Koyna (#7308), Sahyadri
(#7304) and Mahalaxmi (#1012). |