A LYMM medical student is spending five weeks in Bhopal, in central India, working among people still suffering in the aftermath of the infamous Union Carbide chemical disaster 26-years ago.
Joe Malone, 21, is a third year medical student at Liverpool Medical School and with fellow student Lotte Hardman, 22, from Bristol, is working on behalf of the Bhopal Medical Appeal, a Brighton-based charity which almost 
exclusively funds the free medical care and research.
The pair are spending their time in Bhopal as an elective part of their course.
Joe, a former pupil at Lymm High School, has lived in the village all his life, until leaving to study medicine at Liverpool University.
At the moment it’s the peak of summer in Bhopal and Joe and Lotte are waiting for the monsoon rains, due at any time.
They are working at the Sambhavana Clinic which provides free general medicine, Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Ayudevic (complementary therapy and traditional Indian medicine) and Panchakarma (five detox therapies).
Joe said: “We hope not only to contribute our medical knowledge and skill but to highlight the ongoing commitment of the Indian medical staff to the chronic conditions left in the wake of this tragedy.
“The clinic provides in many ways much more than the average GP or health centre in England. However, some fundamental equipment is lacking, such as opthalmoscopes or otoscopes. These are invaluable for the diagnosis and monitoring of fevers, infections, diabetes and hypertension which make up the bulk of the workload in the clinic.
“Bhopal has been suffering from the aftermath of the disaster for the last 26 years. The Bhopali people not only suffer from the damage inflicted during the explosion in 1984, but also the ongoing effects of the discarded toxic chemicals as they continue to seep into a wider and wider perimeter from the dumping ground near the factory.
“The recent conviction of lower level Indian managers involved has provided the first example of justice in the Bhopal story.
“We have a unique opportunity to work at the Sambhavana clinic and whilst in India we will be compiling a blog of our experiences, a short film and an ethical report.”
Pictured: Joe and Lotte pictured with friendly locals in Bhopal
Students' mercy mission to Bhopal
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
