51Âþ»­

A medical student has spoken of a moving visit to a free hospital in India, where 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) has launched a new project to transform the lives of people living in poverty.

Onni Rani, a second-year student, was part of a group visiting an ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s capital, where has begun.

51Âþ»­ Square Mile India will see the university’s students and staff work in an area the same size as the 51Âþ»­ Square Mile in Leicester.

More than 200 students will use the skills acquired during their studies to help people needing treatment for eyesight and hearing problems, and to use art, education and psychology training to improve community life.



Onni’s visit was organised to scope out possible projects which students could get involved in. Students trained in audiology and health screenings are being offered the chance to visit and work in the hospital which treats thousands of people a year.

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She said: “We saw the eye hospital which provides free treatment for children. It was very busy, there lots of elderly people were there who had sight problems.

“I spoke to some of the children who were there for dental treatment. In the UK, we go every few months to check up but there, the children came for the first time they had never been before and they were about eight or nine. I was surprised at that.

“The hospital was not that big compared with those in the UK. It’s a free hospital but there is a lack of privacy."

After speaking to the hospital bosses Onni has been offered the chance to return on a placement. “I would love to do that,” she said. “I loved my time in India. It was an experience.”