Health Drama Productions Transforming health through drama

Paramjit Oberoi & Nishi Madan's experiences in Health, Drama and Community Development provide the foundations for Health Drama Productions Ltd. They are very passionate about reducing health inequalities amongst the South Asian Communities.

They worked together in 2008 on a play about diabetes called Gurh Nalo Ishq Mitha, (Love is Sweeter than Sugar) led by Surtal Asian Arts and commissioned by NHS Derby City. This project was targeted for the South Asian communities and delivered in Urdu and Panjabi. The play was shown in local venues in Derby and watched by over 600 people.

Health Drama Productions is supported by Dominic Rai, a very well established Artistic  Director with considerable experience of delivering theatre in health productions.

 Paramjit Oberoi (Company Director)
I have 35 years of experience of working in the public, voluntary and private sector. My varied career path includes being a community development worker, team manager, policy development officer, university lecturer, consultant and life coach. I was also the Director of Nottingham Common Purpose.

Partnership working, community development and community empowerment have been the fundamental principles of my working practice. I am very passionate about raising the awareness of the health inequalities agenda in the community and see drama as a powerful educational tool influencing behavioural change. I also deliver drama and writing workshops.

I have been actively involved in community theatre productions and films.

  Nishi Madan (Company Director)

I have worked for the NHS for over 30 years. Most of my experiences have been in the community as a Health Visitor working with families living in innercity and deprived areas. I have vast experiences of working with ethnic minority communities, especially South Asian families. I am currently working as Health Improvement Principal at NHS Derby City.

I have always been passionate about tackling health inequalities using community development approaches. I believe that the delivery of effective health intervention is dependent on indepth knowledge of a communitys’ cultural norms, values and belief systems.

I strongly believe that drama is an effective communication methodology in delivering health messages to South Asian communities. I have led on the development of a bilingual play about diabetes (PCT role).  The 'after play' evaluation showed that people had an increased level of knowledge about the signs and symptoms and risk factors as well as the complications of diabetes.

   Dominic Rai (Artistic Director)

I am eager to use my skills in drama with health related projects.

 I have 20 years of experience in theatre as a writer/director. I am especially interested in new work that engages young people and community audiences. 

In 2006 I received the Cultural Award for the contribution to the Arts from the All Party Parliamentary Group Panjabis in Britain.

I have worked on several health related commissions using theatre and participatory workshops, these include sexual health, racial discrimination, diabetes and mental health.

I was the writer and director on "Her Choice, Your Duty to Protect", a training DVD for the UK Police, commissioned by the Association of Chief Police officers, in response to the Forced Marriage Legislation in 2008.

I worked as a consultant at Exeter Universities British Theatre Project 2004-2008.

I am the Artistic Director Man Mela Theatre Company, London.

Team member with the Arts Council of England's Sustained Theatre Group 2006-8. Equity member and Writers Guild of Great Britain. Board Member of Chapter, Cardiff.