Nepal: Kavre Community Outreach Program

Manisha Katuwal

Cut Injury

Manisha Katuwal, a 16-year-old girl from Namo Buddha municipality-2, came to RMF Urban Health Center on September 28 with cut injury on her right hand. She was injured when she fell while cutting grass. RMF health workers stitched her wound, gave her a TT injection, and prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. The wound was redressed daily for a week.

Laxmi Bhujel

Jaundice

Laxmi Bhujel, a 28-day-old baby from Namo Buddha municipality-2, was brought to RMF Urban Health Center by her mother. She was slightly pale, and the mother was afraid she may have jaundice, a dangerous condition in newborns. The doctor checked the baby and diagnosed her with physiological jaundice, a form of jaundice common in newborn. He advised early morning sun exposure for few days, and the paleness subsided.

Sanvi Tamang

Cleft Lip

Sanvi Tamang, a 48-day-old baby girl, was brought to Dapcha Health Post by her mother who was concerned as her child had a wide opening on the upper lip and could not breastfeed. She was dependent on spoon feeding, and the mother had been having problems producing breastmilk regularly. Sanvi weighed 2.8kg at birth, and 3.1kg at the time of her visit, and her mother was also anxious about her growth and development. On examination, it was found that she had cleft lip but not cleft palate, and it required surgical intervention which was not possible at the clinic. Thus, the mother was counseled about her child’s condition and its treatment, and she was referred to Kirtipur Hospital in Kathmandu where operations for such cases are performed free of charge. Sanvi’s mother was very happy to receive a thorough explanation from the clinicians as well as a referral to a hospital where he child could receive free treatment, as this would reduce the financial burden on her family.

Kali Maya Tamang

Childbirth

Kali Maya Tamang was 35 weeks pregnant at her last antenatal checkup. 3 days later, she was brought to Dapcha Health Post in the middle of the night as she had incessant pain in her lower back and abdomen. Upon examination, it was found that she was already in an active stage of labor. Alarmed by the condition, the skilled birth attendants were especially careful, as the child was premature. Kali underwent a normal labor process and delivered a boy weighing 2.3kg. The child was underweight but active and cried immediately after birth, and he was able to breastfeed. After cleaning, he was kept in skin-to-skin contact with the mother to keep him warm and then kept under a radiant warmer until the mother had recovered a little from labor.

Luckily, RMF physician Dr. Chhabindra visited Dapcha Health Post the next day to assess patients including Kali Maya and her son. They both were doing well, so they were discharged with adequate counseling about the care of a low-birthweight baby. Further education regarding hygiene, immunization, hypothermia and its symptoms, other danger signs for newborn babies, and exclusive breastfeeding was also provided. She thanked the clinic staff profusely and went home.

Anju Lama

Childbirth

Anju Lama had attended regular antenatal checkups at Dapcha Health Post during which she was counseled on when to come to the clinic to deliver her child. As a result, she knew the right time during her labor to come to the birthing center. She had a successful stay, as she gave birth to a boy weighing 2.8kg via spontaneous vaginal delivery. She was thankful to the attending staff for assisting her in having a normal delivery with no complications. She was well aware of childcare protocols, breastfed her child actively, and also knew about immunization and exclusive breastfeeding. She was further counseled about danger signs and contraception. She was also advised to continue iron and calcium supplements for 6 weeks.