Manali Medical Aid Project

The Manali Medical Aid Project (MMAP) is an initiative by Medical Students in the University of Queensland. Founded in 2007, MMAP aims to raise funds and purchase various medical equipment for the Lady Willingdon Hospital in Manali, India. The Lady Willingdon Hospital is a charitable institution based in Manali, Himachal Pradesh serving the people of Kullu valley and the surrounding regions (pop.

472 000). The hospital provides 24-hour primary and secondary medical and surgical care distributed across three small buildings. There are about 55 beds and approximately 95 staff members, including 8 doctors. The work at the hospital is seasonal, with months from April to December being the busiest. Staff annually manage 40,000 outpatient cases, admit 3,000 cases, and perform 700 major surgeries. In addition to providing primary healthcare delivery, the Lady Willingdon Hospital works to improve the health of the Manali community through engagement activities that extend beyond the hospital grounds. These special programs include health and surgery clinics to remote villages; vaccination, health education, nutritional assessment, and medication for orphans and thousands of school children; and training programs for health workers to monitor and promote community health.