Sahiensha Ramdas

Sahienshadebie Ramdas joined the Amsterdam School for Social science Research (ASSR), Universiteit van Amsterdam as AIO in November 2008. Her PhD project ‘Social and cultural factors in the perception and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Suriname’ is part of an integrated research programme ‘Leishmaniasis in Suriname’ initiated and supported by prominent institutions in the Netherlands (KIT, AMC, UVA) and Suriname (Anton de Kom University, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Ministry of Health, Medical Mission, Dermatological Services, Amazone Conservation Team Suriname) and funded by the Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement for Tropical Research (NWO-WOTRO).

The research programme consists of three projects from a clinical, a biological and a medical anthropological perspective. Her project embraces the latter and focuses on perceptions of and treatment seeking behaviour for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Since CL is a chronic infection often with extensive ulceration and disfiguring scar formation, special attention will be given to stigma and the related reluctance to seek biomedical help. Preference for self treatment and treatment by traditional healers among various population groups will be studied in the context of local social and cultural beliefs regarding CL. The overall objective is studying social and cultural aspects of CL perceptions and treatment in order to improve the management of CL and to facilitate better communication between patients, patient supporters and health workers.   

Before starting her PhD programme, Sahiensha obtained a masters degree in medical anthropology at the University of Amsterdam in August 2007 (NUFFIC scholarship). She also studied sociology at the Anton de Kom University in Suriname, receiving her masters in August 2005. Her thesis ‘Adultery within the orthodox Hindusociety in Suriname’ was published in Suriname as a book in May 2007. From 2001-2006 she worked part time at the Prohealth foundation in Suriname, a community health development institute, on several sexual and reproductive health issues within different national and international projects. From September 2005 to August 2006 she worked as a researcher at the Institute for Social Scientific Research (IMWO)/Anton de Kom University, on an international exhibition and research project ‘Bidesia’ on the dynamics of migration, social development and cultural identity in the Bhodjpuri region of India, in Suriname and the Netherlands. Before joining the ASSR, from November 2007 till April 2008, she also worked as a consultant for the Pan American Health Organisation in Suriname on the project ‘Treatment of the umbilical stump of newborns among the Maroon population in Suriname’.