Nepal: Model Village

RMF’s Presence

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), 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 24,941 patients. Of these, RMF’s clinic served 1,778 patients from April to June 2019, of which 950 were female and 828 were male. Infectious disease was the leading health problem registered in the clinic. In addition, the RMF clinical officer conducted a class on personal hygiene for schoolchildren during the reporting period, and the health center has started providing healthcare services from its new building.

Ek Maya Adhikari

Hand Abscess

Ek Maya Adhikari is a 42-year-old woman from Arupokhari. She had an abscess on her right hand, and she felt tenderness in that area. When Clinical Officer Bishnu checked her hand, the abscess was already full of pus. He incised the abscess under local anesthesia and drained the pus. Paracetamol tablets and amoxicillin were given, and Bishnu advised her to attend the health center every other day for redressing of the injury. After a week of redressing, she is now well.

Anita Surkheti

Bronchitis

Anita Surkheti, a 26-year-old woman from Arupokhari village, came to RMF Health Center suffering from a cough and chest pain. RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu checked her and diagnosed provisionally with bronchitis. He prescribed her with an antibiotic and an antihistamine.

Radhika Sodari

Tonsillitis

Radhika Sodari, a 25-year-old woman from Arupokhari village, came to RMF Health Center suffering from a fever, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing. Auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) Laxmi checked her and diagnosed her with tonsillitis. She prescribed amoxicillin and paracetamol and advised Radhika to gargle with hot saltwater and drink plenty of water.

On her follow-up visit 3 days later, Radhika had recovered and was feeling well again.

Ranumaya Baram

Toothache

Ranumaya Baram, a 32-year-old woman from Arupokhari, had been suffering from a toothache for few months. She attended RMF Health Center, where Clinical Officer Bishnu checked her and found dental cavities. Her tooth was severely decayed and required an extraction. He gave her cloxacillin and metronidazole for 5 days and advised her to return after 5 days to have the tooth extracted. On 5th day, she returned to RMF Health Center as directed and had her tooth extracted.

Rik Bahadur Adhikari

Tractor Accident

Rik Bahadur Adhikari is a 40-year-old tractor driver. He was involved in an accident while he was driving a tractor near RMF Health Center. Some villagers brought him to the health center, and his left hand and leg were severely injured with a suspected fracture. Clinical Officer Bishnu provided first aid and gave Rik painkillers. He then referred him to the district hospital for the necessary investigations and further management.

Samundra Gurung

Fever

Samundra Gurung, a 6-year-old boy, came to RMF Health Center with his grandmother. He had been suffering from fever for 3 days. When Clinical Officer Bishnu checked him, his temperature was 102°F. He was given paracetamol tablets and amoxicillin. After 2 days, he came for a follow-up visit, and his condition had normalized.

Siman Pariyar

High Fever

Siman Pariyar, a 2-year-old girl, was brought to the RMF clinic by her mother, as she had been suffering from a fever and loss of appetite. She had also vomited a couple of times. There were no other significant symptoms, though the fever was of high grade. Mr. Bishnu only prescribed antipyretics and asked the mother to watch Siman’s condition closely for three more days. He advised her to return immediately in case of worsening symptoms. However, Siman’s symptoms subsided, and her condition improved.

Subin Shrestha

Pneumonia

Subin Shrestha, 6 months old, was brought to the RMF clinic by his mother. He had been suffering from a fever and cough lasting 3 days. Clinical Officer Bishnu assessed the child and diagnosed him with pneumonia according to Community Based Integrated Management of Childhood and Neonatal Illnesses (CB-IMNCI), a protocol followed by all health centers in Nepal for diagnosis and management of childhood illnesses. He also prescribed medications according to the same protocol and asked the mother to take Subin to higher center in case the condition worsened despite the use of medications. However, Subin’s condition improved after treatment.

Sukmaya Surkheti

Sprain

Sukmaya Surkheti is 61 years old and lives in Arupokhari village. While working in her home, she felt a sprain in her left leg. She came to RMF Health Center, where health workers checked her and bandaged her leg with gauze. She was also given diclofenac tablets and neurobion and referred to a district hospital for an x-ray investigation.

Tara Surkheti

Family Planning

Tara Surkheti is 26 years old. She has two children, a son and a daughter. She thinks two children are sufficient for her family and doesn’t want an additional child. Her youngest baby is less than 1 year of age, so she chose Depo-Provera as a temporary family planning method.

Unik Ale Magar

Pneumonia

Unik Ale Magar, a 5-month-old baby, was brought to RMF Health Center by his mother. Clinical officer Bishnu assessed the child and diagnosed him with pneumonia. He prescribed medications according to the IMNCI protocol and asked the mother to take him to higher center in case the condition worsened despite the use of medications. However, Unik’s improved after treatment.