The HUMAN Foundation’s school projects take place in Upper Dolpo in villages at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Since 2024, we have also been financing a health project, the operation of a health station with a nurse. In the Nepalese mountains, these stations are called “health post”.
Providing medical care in the remote areas of the Himalayas is a major challenge. As with schools, the Nepalese government only supports such programs to a very limited extent, if at all. It is difficult to find staff for these tasks, as it is a job that involves deprivation.
The nurse works in the village for almost seven months, from April to November. In winter, people are dependent on themselves or the healing skills of an Amchi (herbal natural healer). Whereas the Amchi used to be the only source of care, treatments are now carried out on a second level for a few months of the year. People are free to choose which type of treatment they prefer. Both options are open to them.
Dolpa-Pa (as the locals call themselves) have a difficult life in the mountain villages and also have to live with health and age-related problems. The nurse we finance covers at least five villages: Karang (the seat of the “health post”), Tiling, Sungjer, Lhuri and Nyisal. In the last two villages we also finance school operations (in Nyisal only the winter school).
In a detailed report, the nurse describes the course of her work in 2024. Most of the patients suffered from illnesses such as respiratory and digestive problems, colds, diarrhea, but also dermatitis, dental problems, arthritis and uric acid disorders, menstrual problems and other more serious health problems. In the remote regions, these illnesses can cause serious problems.
In an emergency, people have to walk for five days to get to the nearest hospital in Dunai. In addition to caring for sick locals, information on hygiene measures and preventive examinations were also carried out in the schools. Gynecological examinations and discussions on family planning were also carried out.
A total of 516 patients were treated, 65% of whom were female and 35% male. Almost all treatments were carried out on an outpatient basis, and only a few patients had to remain in the health post for care.
The results of the eye examinations carried out by the well-known Nepalese ophthalmologist Dr. Ruit, and his institute were particularly striking. Of the 181 patients examined, 13 people were diagnosed with cataracts and selected for appropriate surgery.
Both our nurse Nyima Lhazom Baijee and the villagers, and we as sponsors are very happy and satisfied with the progress of the work in 2024.
We thank Nyima for her wonderful and dedicated work and you, our donors, for your great support.
