UNR students head for med study in Bangladesh

Reno-based medical students are studying disease in Bangladesh and bringing the knowledge home, thanks to a Reno nonprofit.

DuWell Medical will announce more programs at its Monday fundraiser, Curry for Kids. The nonprofit, started by Reno’s Kowsar Khan, sends students from University of Nevada, Reno to DuWell’s Bangladesh clinic, reports RGJ.

DuWell also hopes to create five local jobs next year, including paid interns. Its first intern, Kyle Hills, is working now.

The UNR students will leave just after Christmas this year, spending their winter break distributing medicine, performing general health checks and assessing arsenic content in drinking water, Khan said earlier this week.

Students will bring data from the water research back to UNR to help develop a better understanding of health issues related to arsenic.

Kahn, a Reno High graduate, is working from Reno on a Stanford graduate degree. He was born in Bangladesh, moving with his family to Reno when he was 6. His family ties to the Asian country have helped get a hospital built in the city of Naria and smooth the way for the UNR students to make contact with families in need of help.

Money raised Monday night also will help the group provide vaccinations and continue building its hospital in Naria. The city of 400,000 lacks sanitary and well-equipped medical facilities, Khan said. Most deaths in the area are preventable, Khan said.

Curry for Kids will be at 6 p.m. Monday at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the UNR campus. There will be a silent auction, food provided by Indian Kabab and Curry, and announcement of new DuWell programs.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $10 for students and $25 general, free for kids under 12. For information and tickets, visit duwell.org or facebook.com/DuwellMedical.