Nepal: Model Village
1,560 Patients Treated at RMF Clinic: Q4 2018
February 01, 2019
Pragya Gautam
Summary of Activities
Soon after the earthquake, RMF began providing much-needed emergency health support to the people of Arupokhari, a remote village in Gorkha district. With the long-term vision of establishing, operating, and sustaining quality health services in the region, in January 2016, RMF opened a health clinic in Arupokhari. The health clinic that was previously operating in the region was severely damaged due to the earthquake, and it had since remained closed. RMF constructed a temporary structure in the same location and has been providing health services such as an outpatient department (OPD) and emergency services, first aid, family planning and counseling, antenatal and postnatal care services, and a supply of pharmaceutical drugs. Health services are provided to the community for free, while pharmaceuticals are supplied at a subsidized rate. However, if any patient is unable to pay for the medicines, RMF provides them for free.

Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Building Update
Progressing
Since the devastating earthquake of 2015, the RMF Health Clinic has been operating in a small, temporary structure. RMF is in the process of constructing a permanent concrete structure and will provide all health services from a single building. Global Engineering Consultants Private Limited has been chosen as the contractor for the project.
As per RMF’s plan, construction of the clinic building has been ongoing during the reporting period. Between October and December 2018, door and window panels were installed in the new building, and it was painted.

Morbidity Report
Gender Balanced
A total of 1,560 patients visited RMF clinic in the last quarter of 2018, for an average of 520 patients per month. Infectious diseases had the highest number of registered cases at 445 patients. The gender ratio of patients was exactly balanced at 50% male and 50% female.

Thankful Patient
Woman Seeks Help
Aita Maya Baram, a 92-year-old woman, visited RMF clinic for discomfort in her upper abdomen. She reported that the pain was mild but persistent. Her appetite had also reduced, and she felt nauseous. In the absence of other symptoms, she was diagnosed with gastritis and was given antacids for the problem. After a few days, Mr. Bishnu himself visited Aita Maya at her home to check whether her condition was improving. She was very happy to see him and reported that she was feeling much better with the medication. She blessed Mr. Bishnu for taking away her pain.

Background
& Objectives
Background
In line with RMF’s concepts and the government of Nepal’s vision for a comprehensive and eventually sustainable Model Village, RMF, in close partnership and collaboration with Sarswati Foundation will be working towards the development of a Model Village in Arupokhari. Sarswati Foundation has been working in Arupokhari, Gorkha since 2009 as a non-profit. This was co-founded by Subhash Ghimire, a native from that village and editor-in-chief of the Republica, Nepal’s leading English daily that publishes with the New York Times in Kathmandu.
Following the devastating earthquake, the non-profit has been actively engaged in relief and reconstruction works in the area, which includes providing food and temporary shelter relief to the affected people. So far, the foundation has delivered 7.5 tons (100 sacks of 30 kg rice, 50 sacks of 50 kg lentils, 500 sacks of 0.5 L of oil, 500 packets of 1 kg salt, 495 blankets, 350 tents) to the community, and aims to rebuild the village as a replicable model, which will include earthquake-safe structures designed by architects and engineers, utilizing local natural and human resources to ensure ownership and sustainability, improved healthcare access, education and livelihood programs, based on the needs of the communities and with the leadership of the local people.
Similarly, the village also holds a huge potential as a thriving Manaslu trekking route, along with a 600-megawatt hydro project being planned around in the area. In addition, the community is also actively engaged in production of local agricultural products and livestock. With a thought-out detailed plan, the opportunities of the village could be tapped in to create a replicable, integrated and sustainable Model Village.
RMF supports the rebuilding of Sarswati Peace School (more than 200 students, mostly from economically and culturally marginalized backgrounds) and Darbar Higher Secondary School (public school with more than 400 students), both of which were badly damaged during the earthquake. The current plan is to demolish the existing damaged structure and construct earthquake resistant buildings.
Along with the support to the reconstruction of the schools, the model village project also seeks to help build at least 100 temporary shelters and 700 permanent houses to the identified most vulnerable households in the community and one earthquake resistant local health center. Health services, education, and the economy will be supported for the long-term as the people of Arupokhari build a stronger future in collaboration with RMF and Sarswati.
Objectives
- Rebuild the village as a replicable model, which will include earthquake-safe structures designed by architects and engineers
- Use local natural and human resources to ensure ownership and sustainability
- Improve healthcare access and education based on the needs of the communities and with the leadership of the local people

More
Photos
Click to enlarge


Numbers
Served
Patients Served this Quarter
1,560 Total
Male-780
Female-780

