26 th January, 2001 saw a massive earthquake in the Gujerat area, Doctors Worldwide launched an urgent medical relief effort in the devastated areas. Our team of 50 doctors and paramedical staff covered 61 towns including the district of Kutch for relief efforts, the relief work starting within 48 hours. Our teams provided relief in hard to reach areas and places being neglected by general relief teams. 30 tons of relief goods (medicines, clinical equipment etc.) were distributed. 5 ambulances and mobile medical units constantly toured the area in the initial period.

DWW launched a medical rehabilitation program in Gujarat for the injured and traumatized victims. DWW sponsored a team of 3 doctors. This team trained and set up psychosocial counselling for trauma victims in Gujarat. Dr. Arshad Hussain, Professor of Child Psychiatry, University of Missouri School of Medicine led a team of 4 American psychiatrists and they trained Indian doctors and social workers to establish a psychosocial trauma counselling programme. Through this programme hundreds of mentally traumatised victims were provided with appropriate care.

During 2004, DWW launched a project in rural Hyderabad and Mumbai. A mobile health clinic was run, providing basic care but concentrating on performing minor surgery cases. So far 4000 children have had successful operations performed, using proper aseptic and infectious control procedures through this scheme.

Total population

1,065,462,000

GDP per capita (Intl $, 2002)

1,568

Life expectancy at birth m/f (years)

60.0 / 63.0

Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2002)

53.3 / 53.6

Child mortality m/f (per 1000)

85 / 90

Adult mortality m/f (per 1000)

283 / 213

Total health expenditure per capita (Intl $, 2002)

96

Total health expenditure as % of GDP (2002)

6.1