Nepal: Model Village
Construction Begins on New Clinic Building: Q2 2018
July 27, 2018
Ganesh Shrestha
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.
Since opening in January 2016, the RMF Health Clinic has treated 17,323 patients. Of these, the RMF clinic served for 2,153 patients from April to June 2018, averaging about 718 patients per month. During this time, respiratory disease was the leading health problem registered at the clinic, and 19 couples benefited from temporary family planning methods provided by the clinic.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Morbidity Report
2,153 Patients Served
The RMF Health Clinic served 685 patients in April, 724 in May, and 744 in June for a total of 2,153 patients, of which 1,109 were female and 1,044 were male. The clinic averaged about 718 patients per month during this period. Respiratory disease the leading health problem registered at the clinic, followed by skin infection, digestive system disorders, accidents/fall injuries, and musculoskeletal problems.
Construction of the Clinic Building
Work Begins
Since the devastating earthquake of 2015, 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. Through a bidding process, Global Engineering Consultants Private Limited has been chosen as the contractor for the project. Construction is expected to be completed within 6 months, and work has already begun.
Multiple Illnesses Treated
Quality Healthcare for All
During this 3-month period, respiratory disease was the leading health problem registered with 335 patients, followed by skin infection, digestive system disorders, accidents/fall injuries, and musculoskeletal problems. Of the patients who benefited from RMF Health Clinic services from April to June 2018, 51.5% were female at 1,109 patients, and 48.5% were male at 1,044 patients.
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
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Success
Stories
Chakra Bahadur Shahi
Chest Infection
Chakra Bahadur Shahi came to RMF clinic with a fever, cough, difficulty breathing. On assessment, he had chest infection and was given a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics for seven days and called for a follow up the next week. He was also asked to return to the clinic if the condition does not improve or worsens. He is now infection-free.
Gam Bahadur Pariyar
Loose Stool
Gam Bahadur Pariyar is a patient with a known case of hypertension. He regularly visits RMF clinic to monitor his blood pressure, but this time he visited RMF clinic due to loose stool. He was feeling weak, thus, after monitoring vital signs and assessing him, RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu gave him oral rehydration solution (ORS), counseled him about its preparation, and asked him to take as much as possible after each loose stool. He was told to visit the clinic if the condition does not improve and also taught to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent illness.
Baby Shrestha
Respiratory Tract Infection
Baby Shrestha is a 3-year-old girl who had a fever and cough as well as loud respirations, so she was brought to RMF clinic. There, she was diagnosed with an acute respiratory tract infection and was prescribed antibiotics for a week. She had recovered by the next visit.
Binda Baram
Swollen Tonsils
Binda Baram visited RMF clinic for a mild fever and a sore throat. She was having difficulty eating, as it was painful to swallow food. On examination, her tonsils were swollen and infected. Thus, RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu prescribed her antibiotics and asked her to gargle with warm saltwater. When she returned for a follow up, she reported that she felt better.
Bir Dhowj Gurung
Insect in Ear
Bir Dhowj Gurung, an elderly man, visited RMF clinic in a state of panic. An insect had accidentally entered his right ear and, while he was trying to take it out, it went further inside. He was in sheer anguish. RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu carefully removed the insect with the help of forceps. Bir extremely relieved after that. He was given ear drops to relieve the pain and prevent infection. He was grateful, as without RMF clinic, locals like himself would have nowhere to go for their minor health problems.
