Health Professional Network
Health
Professional
Network
Health Professionals Network (HPN): Is a non-profit voluntary body formed under Friends of India Australia (FOIA). HPN was formed in 2011 by likeminded health professionals from the subcontinent who are interested in positively contributing to society along with their personal professional commitments. We provide health promotion seminars, health advice and navigation of health services and peer support. HPN currently consists of over 50 active members from a range of different health related backgrounds.
- Providing a supportive and advisory response to health-related queries coming from the community (usually from people of Indian origin) – this may come either directly or through various referral organizations
- Help people better navigate the health system and point them in the right direction in order to access appropriate interventions.
- Advocate for and provide improved health literacy among people of Indian origin.
- To provide support to people of Indian origin in Hospitals and other health institutions (Health Insurance, Police, Legislation) at their request.
- Fundraising and providing financial assistance to those families affected by health-related conditions.
- Enhancing general lifestyle by providing and supporting a number of guided activities. During Covid-19 this has been through yoga, baking, dance and craft classes.
Aims of HPN
- The aim of HPN is to have representatives from across all the health professions.
- The current composition of HPN includes professionals from a range of health backgrounds including General Practitioners, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Adult Psychiatrists, Cardiologist, Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Nephrologists, Radiologists, Paediatricians, Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Nurses, Brain and Spine Surgeon, Intensive care Specialists, Occupational Therapists, PhD students, medical researchers, other university students pursuing health sciences, Orthodontist and Dentists.
Current composition
Summary of results
from a survey conducted on general public
Multiple topics were rated as important to be covered under health awareness programs. The top three being common lifestyle medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cholesterol issues (79%), women health issues (71%) and child and adolescent problems (61%).
84% would prefer to speak to a health professional of a similar cultural background to theirs.
Other areas of contribution such as support for families with serious health issues and supporting disaster recovery initiatives in Australia and India received about 60% support.
The range of services that HPN
has been providing include
from a survey conducted on
general public
- Advisory response to health (including mental health) related queries.
- Navigation of the health system and pointing those in distress in the right direction to access appropriate interventions.
- Non-formal advice, assistance and counselling when admitted in hospitals at the family’s request.
- Advocacy for, and improving health literacy among people of Indian origin (e.g. assistance with health insurance claims, organising blood donation and health talks).
- Multimodal support to families who may have lost a loved one to sudden or chronic illness and this includes raising funds for them where appropriate.
- Psychological support to the family during crisis
- Counselling and mental health support
- Health education and Blood Donation drives
- On site and on call medical support to children and youth camps run by like-minded organizations
- Along with larger FOIA using mass appeal cultural programs to raise funds for Liverpool hospital paediatric unit (Sim Baby) and Mental health unit (physical health support equipment) in 2018 and 2019 respectively
- Fund raising can be done via other means as well such as cupcakes, Charity runs etc
- During COVID 19 situation HPN has extended its support to many stranded visitors, both the sight-seeing ones and those visiting families here and also students who have lost their part time jobs
- This includes financial assistance, ensuring a Covid-19 safe environment for volunteers, Grocery supplies, delivering the essential supplies, Mental Health Support and Meeting the Medical needs of the community.
- We have also been enhancing lifestyle and health by providing yoga, baking, dance and craft classes to help occupy children during Covid-19.
- HPN was showcased in 2018 and 2019 Pravaasi Bharatheeya Divas worldwide group discussions.
Our future goals include
- Formalize membership of HPN and create a structure within HPN with appropriate roles and responsibilities
- Look at ways for the general public to get in touch with us – telephone, email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram etc. – can be part of or as a link from Friends of India Australia .
- Health well-being and literacy promotion drives, workshops and events
- Blood donation camps
- Continue to provide health assistance and support to children and youth camps
- To expand the network across our state and interstate
- If you are a health professional or interested to contribute to the health of our fellow citizens, then please do join in
Join the FOIA Family
Register as a Volunteer
Scan to Register or Donate
Friends of India, Australia is a voluntary, not for-profit, social and cultural organization; Established in 1996 and registered in 2011.
To join us as vounteer please scan the QR code below and feel the form and submit
Scan to Register
Scan to Donate
