Walawalkar Hospital, India

Locations

Dervan,  India

Elective Options
Clinical
Usual Capacity

6 Spaces

Cost & Dates

£600 all inclusive

£150 per extra week

Year round availability

 

Subject Areas

General Medicine

Surgery

Paediatrics / OBGYN

Intensive Care Units / Anaesthetics

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BKL Walawalkar Hospital was established in 1996 in the rural village of Dervan, south of Mumbai, and provides accessible, high-quality healthcare services to communities across the surrounding region. The hospital campus includes an 800-bed teaching hospital with advanced clinical and educational facilities, an associated medical school, and on-site accommodation and sports facilities.

In partnership with Fair Trade Electives, Walawalkar Hospital offers safe, campus-based medical electives that are designed and delivered by the hospital. Placements provide an immersive learning experience within a rural healthcare setting, with opportunities to observe and participate in supervised clinical activity, learn alongside local medical students, and engage with the wider hospital community.

Electives are structured to balance clinical exposure, teaching and orientation to the local health system, while recognising the importance of cultural awareness and professional responsibility. Walawalkar Hospital has developed into a well-established teaching environment, with contributions from clinicians and educators based in India and internationally.

Electives at Walawalkar are particularly suitable for those before final assessments.

Please note: Walawalkar Hospital operates a non-denominational spiritual ethos and a six-day working week. Further information is provided in the FAQs.

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Elective-Suitability Rubric

To help you compare sites and make informed choices we offer this summary assessment of the sites we offer.  This reflects the academic lead’s analysis in the light of site visits and the feedback available to us, but please note that staff turn-over can be high and things can change rapidly in small centres.  The following is therefore for guidance only.

Dimension

Description

·       Comfort vs Challenge

This site would be a bit challenging to get to (5 hours by train) if it weren’t for the door to door service BKL Walawalkar include.

The campus is very comfortable and has a small shop.  Accommodation is of a high standard (shared/single options), with excellent vegetarian catering.

The climate can extremely hot and this IS WORTH CHECKING before you commit.

·       Safety vs Adventure

On site safety high.

Normal precautions required elsewhere.

Road conditions locally are variable, and traffic can be heavy, hence high accident rates.

There are many opportunities for walking locally, travel to the nearly coast or Goa and Kerala if wanting to go further afield.

·       Sociability vs Isolation

You are based on a closed hospital campus with an associated school and university, including a sports complex (with Olympic running and swimming facilities plus an excellent sports hall).  There is ample opportunity to mix with local students.

·       Hands-on vs Observational

There is opportunity to become involved in patient care but language may be a barrier.  Hence a ‘buddy student’ may be good and, as ever, this is enhanced by more prolonged engagement with one clinical team.

·       Engagement opportunities

BKL Walawalkar has philanthropic roots based in the Hindu faith, but no religious expression is allowed on the campus creating a unique environment.

In addition to sporting activities you are likely to be welcomed at the adjacent school if you wish to get involved.

·       Costs and value

Low costs and excellent value for a highly unique, welcoming, safe and comfortable rural experience.

·       Travel / tourism

Train and even air travel is reasonably cheap in India so there are extensive opportunities to visit this spectacular rapidly developing continent.

·       Career relevance

General placements on offer but in an academic context.  Something to consider if your elective is in the run up to exams.

·       Academic opportunities

Healthcare Improvement projects feasible.  Research maybe.

Additional Comments and Tips specific to this host

BKL Walawalkar issues its own annual elective manual which you will receive after booking.  Currently there is no separate FTE Elective Guide.

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Fair Trade Electives encourages students to undertake an initial placement of at least four weeks. This allows time to settle into the hospital environment, build relationships with local staff and gain a clearer understanding of how the local health system operates.

At Walawalkar Hospital, students are typically based within one core clinical area for the majority of their placement. Depending on availability and experience level, this may include general medical and surgical departments, as well as selected sub-specialty exposure such as anaesthetics, intensive care or infectious diseases. Final allocations are confirmed in discussion with the hospital at the application stage.

Where capacity allows, additional taster weeks may be arranged in other clinical areas. These can include time in clinics, community-based activity or outreach programmes. Some opportunities may involve visits outside the main hospital campus and, in certain cases, short homestay experiences. Availability varies and is agreed locally.

Placements are structured to ensure appropriate supervision and alignment with local priorities and governance.

 

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Students at Walawalkar Hospital are typically based within one or more of the following clinical areas, depending on availability, experience level and hospital priorities:

  • General Medicine – ward rounds, outpatient clinics and case discussions

  • Surgery – exposure to general and specialist surgical practice, including pre- and post-operative care

  • Paediatrics / OBGYN – clinical exposure within child health, obstetrics and gynaecology services

  • Anaesthetics and Intensive Care – observation and supervised learning within critical care settings

  • Infectious Diseases – insight into the management of infectious and communicable diseases within a rural healthcare context

Teaching is embedded within routine clinical activity and may include ward-based learning, supervised observation, case discussions and multidisciplinary meetings. The exact mix of subject areas is agreed in advance with the hospital and confirmed at the application stage.

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Accommodation is provided on campus as part of the placement fee. Students are usually housed in single-sex twin rooms, shared with another student or visitor. Rooms are basic, clean and functional, with en-suite facilities.

Single occupancy rooms may be requested at an additional cost, but availability is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Requests are considered by the hospital on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed in advance.

Accommodation is located within the hospital campus, providing a safe and convenient base during the placement. WiFi is available but can be intermittent, and students should be prepared for occasional connectivity issues

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Walawalkar Hospital is located in the rural village of Dervan in Maharashtra, within the Konkan region of western India. The hospital campus is largely self-contained, with accommodation, catering and recreational facilities on site. The surrounding area is predominantly rural, offering insight into healthcare delivery outside major urban centres. Day-to-day life during the placement is centred around the hospital campus and local community.

Travel and access

Students typically arrive via Mumbai, followed by onward travel to Walawalkar by train or coach. This is a full-day journey and forms part of the orientation to the region.

Time away from the hospital

Walawalkar is within reach of Goa, which some students choose to visit during weekends or at the end of their placement, subject to workload and local expectations. Any travel away from the hospital is undertaken independently and at the student’s own cost.

Local activities and facilities

Within and around the campus, students may have access to:

  • Sports and recreational facilities (including a swimming pool and running track)

  • Local walking routes and outdoor space

  • Visits to nearby towns or places of cultural or historical interest, where appropriate

Opportunities such as homestays, language learning or community-based visits may occasionally be available and are arranged locally where appropriate. Availability varies and participation is optional.

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Item Details
4-week placement £600 total (all-inclusive)
Additional weeks £150 per week
Availability Year-round
Minimum stay 4 weeks

Included (as part of the placement fee)

  • On-site accommodation (single-sex twin en-suite rooms)

  • All meals (local vegetarian food)

  • Mumbai airport pick-up and return transfer

  • Train or coach travel between Mumbai and Walawalkar (full-day journey)

  • Supervision, local induction and on-site support

  • Access to hospital facilities and WiFi

Not included (personal or optional costs)

  • International flights

  • Visa costs

  • Travel insurance

  • Vaccinations

  • Personal spending and leisure travel

 

 

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What should I expect on arrival?

On arrival in Mumbai, you will be met by a representative from Walawalkar Hospital. Look for someone holding a sign with your name or “Walawalkar Hospital Elective.” You will then travel to Walawalkar by air-conditioned train or coach. This is a full-day journey (approximately 5–7 hours) and offers a chance to see rural India.

On arrival at the hospital, you will receive:

  • A welcome from senior faculty

  • A hospital tour

  • Local health & safety induction

  • Buddy allocation

  • An objective-setting meeting to shape your elective

What is the accommodation like?

Accommodation is provided on campus in single-sex twin en-suite rooms. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable.
WiFi is available but can be intermittent, so students should be prepared for occasional connectivity issues.

Single rooms are not guaranteed. Any requests would need to be discussed directly with the hospital in advance and are subject to availability.

Are meals provided?

Yes. All meals are included as part of the placement fee.
Meals are local vegetarian food, prepared on site. If you have specific dietary requirements, these should be shared in advance.

What are the campus norms?

Walawalkar Hospital operates under the Shri Vithalrao Joshi Charitable Trust, which has Hindu roots and promotes a respectful, non-denominational ethos across the campus.

Students are expected to follow campus norms, including:

  • A professional dress code (scrubs are acceptable)

  • High standards of behaviour and attendance

  • No overnight guests

  • No alcohol or smoking on campus

A 6-day working week is standard. Pro-rata arrangements can be made (e.g. 5 weeks = 30 working days).

What clinical experience will I have?

Students rotate through departments including:

  • General Medicine

  • Surgery

  • Paediatrics / OBGYN

  • Intensive Care / Anaesthetics

You will participate in ward rounds, clinics, teaching sessions and supervised clinical activities, with opportunities for audit or quality improvement projects.

Is Walawalkar suitable for LGBTQ+ students?

India is generally considered LGBTQ-friendly, particularly in tourist areas. However, public displays of affection (of any kind) may be frowned upon in more rural or conservative settings.

Walawalkar is a respectful and professional environment. Students are encouraged to be culturally aware and to reach out to the FTE team if they have any concerns before or during the placement.

Will I have time for rest or travel?

Yes. The hospital has on-site recreational facilities including a swimming pool, running track and sports hall.
Walawalkar is also within reach of Goa, which many students visit during weekends or at the end of their elective (at their own cost).

Who do I contact if I need support?

You will be supported by:

  • A local student buddy

  • Senior hospital staff

  • The Fair Trade Electives team

Support is available throughout your placement.