US Medical Students volunteering in Earth-quake hit areas during summer 2006

Six Pakistani medical students from around the United States went on an APPNA sponsored trip to work in the PIMA (Pakistan Islamic Medical Association) medical clinic in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan for a 2 week rotation in July 2006. They gained valuable experience in learning how to treat a wide variety of illnesses that have run rampant in Kashmir since the Oct 2005 earthquake, including gastroenteritis contracted from ingesting contaminated drinking water and physical rehabilitation efforts for the numerous amputees. They also saw first-hand, the numerous buildings and homes that were destroyed by the earthquake and witnessed the survivors' resolve to rebuild and return to a normal life.

Omar Chaudhary said “the best part of his experience was working at the Pima Clinic in Muzzafarabad in the earthquake effected area. He saw lots of patients with GI problems because of drinking contaminated water and other diseases which they do not see here in US. He will highly recommend this student rotation program by APPNA to continue".

Henna Akhtar said” She did not realize before the trip that APPNA was involved with so much Disaster relief and social welfare projects in Pakistan. She had great experience at the earthquake effected area and at the Rehab centers established by APPNA at RGH. This experience has motivated her enough to be more actively involved in APPNA since she is a member now".

Henna Qureshi and Sara Jeevanjee taking history

Saira Ali Mohammad and Sara Jeevanjee examining a child

Omar Chaudhary discussing a case with the physician

Nabil Shafi interviewing a patient

Henna Qureshi, Aifra Ahmed, Saira Ali Mohamed,
Dr. Javed Akhtar, Nabil Shafi, Omar Chaudhary

Aifra Ahmed advising to a patient.

Medical Students team sitting in one of the class room of the school at the Village of Hope