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Sambar is prepared by myself, Anju Wilson, using locally sourced ingredients from my property. (Image from my gallery)

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Sambar, a South Indian curry, holds a special place in my heart due to its rich flavours, nutritional value, and the memories of my mother’s cooking. In Australia, I continue the tradition with my child, using fresh ingredients from our garden. Sambar’s versatility allows it to be made with any vegetables on hand. This dish, a staple in Kerala, where I’m from, is a colourful and sustainable cooking experience I’m passing on to my child.

Ingredients for serving three people:

1. Toor dal (Pigeon pea lentils): ¾ cups

2. Homegrown vegetables: Tomatoes, potatoes, beans, spinach, coriander leaves, curry leaves, drumstick, okra, pumpkin. Altogether- 2 cups

3. Green chillies: 2 nos.

4. Turmeric powder: ¼ teaspoon

5. Sambar powder: 2 to 3 tablespoons

6. Mustard seeds: 1 teaspoon

7. Fenugreek seeds: ½ teaspoon

8. Asafoetida (Hing): A pinch

9. Tamarind: A small size of gooseberry

10. Salt: For a taste

Recipe:

1. Soak and cook Toor dal with turmeric in a pressure cooker.

2. Meanwhile, sauté chopped vegetables in oil.

3. Soak tamarind in warm water, extract the juice, and discard the pulp.

4. Once dal is cooked, add it to the vegetables.

5. Add sambar powder, tamarind extract, and salt to the vegetables and dal.

6. Simmer until the raw smell of tamarind disappears.

7. In a separate pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and asafoetida (Hing).

8. Pour this mixture over the Sambar.

9. Sprinkle sugar, mix well, and simmer for a few minutes.

10. Enjoy this nutritious dish with rice or South Indian snacks like Idli or Dosa.

Approximate nutritional value per serving of Sambar:

Calories: 175 to 260

Total Fat: 1.3g1 to 9.8g

Saturated Fat: 0.2g

Trans Fat: 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.785g

Monounsaturated Fat: 5.481g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 404mg to 606mg

Total Carbohydrates: 38.06g to 53g

Dietary Fiber: 9.9g to 15g

Sugars: 3.64g to 18g

Protein: 11g to 14g

Reference:

National Institute of Nutrition. (1998). Dietary Guidelines for Indians. Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d0f4e295347c1373JmltdHM9MTY5NTg1OTIwMCZpZ3VpZD0zM2RhZjJjZC02MjMyLTZkNzgtM2ZhOS1mZDEyNjNlYzZjZWEmaW5zaWQ9NTIwOA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=33daf2cd-6232-6d78-3fa9-fd1263ec6cea&psq=indian+dietery+guidelines+&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9uaW4ucmVzLmluL2Rvd25sb2Fkcy9EaWV0YXJ5R3VpZGVsaW5lc2Zvck5JTndlYnNpdGUucGRm&ntb=1

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Ayurvedic medicines (Anvar & Haneef, 2015, Table 1; Kannan & Frenz, 2019)

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Ayurveda, a holistic healing system from India dating back over 3,000 years, emphasises balance among mind, body, and spirit for overall well-being. Unlike conventional medicine, its primary objective isn’t merely to fight disease and maintain good health. Health in Ayurveda involves balancing the physical body, mind, spirit, and social well-being. A key concept is “Prakriti,” an individual’s unique constitution determined at conception, comprising physical and psychological traits that influence functions. Prakriti remains constant throughout life but is influenced by internal and external factors.

References:

Anvar, K., & Haneef, J. (2015). Ethnobotanical plants used for postnatal care by traditional practitioners from Kozhikode district, Kerala, India. IJRPC, 5(4), 570-581. https://www.ijrpc.com/files/12-10-15/08-5119.pdf

Kannan, S., & Frenz, M. (2019). Seeking health under palm trees: Ayurveda in Kerala. Global Public Health, 14(3), 351-361. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2017.1417458

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kadakali traditional art forms of Kerala (Daugherty & Pitkow, 1991, Figure 1; Sudheer, 2016)

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Kathakali, a traditional Kerala art form, blends literature, music, dance, and instruments. Performers express emotions through gestures and expressions, not vocals. It’s known for its unique makeup, headgear, costumes, and reliance on percussion. The narratives are often from epics and Puranas. The art form includes eight sections and elements like Abhinayam (acting), Sahityam (literature), Sangitam (music), and Vadyam (instrumentation).

References:

Daugherty, D., & Pitkow, M. (1991). Who wears the skirts in Kathakali? TDR (1988-), 35(2), 138-156.

Sudheer, C. (2016). Kathakali classical art form of Kerala. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, 5(12), 51-57. https://garph.co.uk/IJARMSS/Dec2016/7.pdf

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Kerala’s music, with a rich history distinct from Malayalam poetry, plays a significant role in early Malayalam literature. It includes Margi (classical) and Desi (regional) styles. Strong vocal and percussion traditions mark Kerala’s musical heritage. The state is known for Sopana Sangeetham, a classical music form with deep religious roots originating in temples.

References:

Indian Culture. (n.d.). Musical Heritage of Kerala.
http://www.keralaculture.org/music/102

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Malayalam the official language of Kerala (Groesbeck & Palackal, 2017)

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The reshaping of South Indian languages, including Malayalam, started in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, leading to linguistic nationalism by the mid-20th century. The premodern literary landscape of Kerala’s Malabar coast was linguistically diverse, influenced by neighboring languages, different religious traditions, and trade languages. The encounter with Europe and colonialism reshaped Indian ideas about caste, religion, tradition, and language. European missionaries in Kerala used print technology for religious and pedagogical materials, while the British conducted philological studies of Indian languages for colonial rule.

References:

Groesbeck, R., & Palackal, J. J. (2017). Kerala. In The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music (pp. 929-951). Routledge.

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Snaps from my back yard garden. My all-time favourite place. 

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Health is the state of complete well-being, containing physical, mental, and social harmony. It involves maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, ensuring quality sleep, practising spirituality, and nurturing a deep connection with nature.

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(Working Group of the Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019)

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 Reflecting on Domain 7 Competency Standards

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 Reflecting on Domain 7 Competency Standards

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For me, the most relevant aspect of competency standard 12.3 was recognising the critical need to respect the autonomy of individuals from migrant and refugee backgrounds in making healthcare decisions shaped by their culture. This standard has significantly improved my understanding of the profound impact that culture can have on healthcare choices and preferences. Now, I feel more capable of caring for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. This skill is essential in my workplace because it allows me to provide care that is not only medically sound but also culturally sensitive and respectful. In healthcare, cultural competence is a desirable trait and an ethical imperative. Patients from migrant and refugee backgrounds often face unique challenges, including language barriers, unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, and cultural differences in understanding health and illness. By adhering to the principles, I can actively contribute to minimising culturally insensitive practices that could negatively impact health outcomes. This includes addressing biases, improving communication, challenging prejudices, and expanding my cultural knowledge. Moreover, recognising and respecting the influence of culture on healthcare decisions and choices empowers patients to actively participate in their care actively, resulting in better outcomes and a more satisfying

References:

Working Group of the Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds: Competency Standards Framework for Clinicians. https://cbrhl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Culturally-responsive-clinica.pdf

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Principal health issues that refugees face

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Principal health issues that refugees face

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Syria, a country in the
Middle East, has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011, resulting in one of
the most significant refugee crises in history. The conflict has forced more
than 14 million Syrians to flee their homes for safety. In response to this
crisis, countries like Australia have offered humanitarian support. In 2016,
the Australian Government agreed to settle 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees and
the existing humanitarian intake (13,750 in 2016). It's worth noting that the
number of refugee and humanitarian entrants welcomed to Australia since World
War II was expected to pass 950,000 in early 2023. Three common health concerns
that are likely to be present in people arriving from Syria, as listed in the
Australian refugee health practice guide, are immunisation issues, mental
health issues, and HIV risk.

Immunisation Issues:
Refugees may not
have had access to regular immunisation schedules in their home countries or
during their journey to Australia. This can result in insufficient immunity
against diseases commonly vaccinated against in Australia.
According to the
Australian Immunisation Handbook, it is advisable to assess the vaccination
status of refugees and provide appropriate catch-up vaccinations. This includes
vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-acellular
pertussis (DTPa), hepatitis B, and others.

Mental Health Issues:
Refugees often
endure traumatic events that can lead to mental health issues, including
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Several
psychosocial programs have positively affected refugees' mental health and
well-being. These programs encompass trauma-informed psychotherapy in group
settings, community-based psychoeducation and health initiatives, physical
activity and sports-based programs, peer support and mentoring programs.

HIV Risk:
Although the
prevalence of HIV infection in Syria is less than 0.1%, the displacement and
challenges faced during transit and in refugee camps may heighten the risk of
HIV transmission. Early treatment yields better health outcomes and is now
considered a vital strategy to reduce transmission risk. Depending on the state
or territory, HIV-treating doctors may include ID or immunology physicians,
sexual health specialists, or GPs with S100 prescribing privileges.

References:

Australian Red
Cross. (n.d.). Refugee Facts. https://www.redcross.org.au/act/help-refugees/refugee-facts/

Australian
Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (n.d.). Syria.
https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/syria

Australian Refugee
Health Practice Guide. (n.d.).
https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/about-this-practice-guide/

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The main three social determinants of health care.

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References:

WHO. (2023) Social Determinants of Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

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According to the 2011 census of India figures, 54.73% of Kerala’s population are Hindus, 26.56% are Muslims, 18.38% are Christians, and the remaining 0.33% follow other religions or have no faith. As of 2020, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others account for 41.5%, 43.9%, 13.9% and 0.7% of the total childbirths in the state, respectively. The mythological legends regarding the origin of Kerala are Hindu in nature. Various tribal people in Kerala have retained the religious beliefs of their ancestors.
References:

Kerala.me. (n.d.). Religion in Kerala. https://kerala.me/culture/religion