Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital (India) Partnership

Lower Sixth pupils gained valuable medical experience in India and raised £15,000 for the Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital.

Eight Lower Sixth students travelled to India for a unique medical experience trip. Once in Jodhpur, the medical element of the trip came to the fore, with students gaining unparalleled experience.

They attended medical camps in remote villages, learning how to test blood pressure, analyse urine samples for diabetes and assess patients for cataracts. At the eye hospital, they observed cataract surgery and acted as operating theatre assistants by preparing patients for surgery, supporting the surgeon and bandaging patients.

During visits to the maternity hospital, students observed a range of procedures, including surgery to remove a football-sized ovarian tumour, Caesarean section delivery, ultrasound scans and – incredibly - some students witnessed first-hand the birth of a healthy baby boy; although this was moments before being shown a severely premature baby who had only just lost his fight for survival. While very upsetting, this taught the students the reality of life and death in the medical profession.

Epsom College donated hundreds of pencils and other stationery to schools, contributed to the local economy when visiting remote villages, and in a student-led venture purchased and donated 160 pairs of children’s shoes to two poverty-stricken villages.

Due to extensive fundraising efforts over the last 12 months, the group raised over 1.4million rupees (close to £15,000) for the Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital. As a result of this, and our previous fundraising efforts, Epsom College has been recognised on the hospital’s honours’ board as a major donor.