Healthcare & Education in the Hidden Himalayas

Winter is a quiet time in the Hidden Himalayas. Heavy snow and blocked trails and mountain passes make it very difficult to move around. Nevertheless, Humla does not come to a standstill and people continue to move on and make a difference; there is always something to do. We have delivered the Birthing Centre equipment to the government health committee in Syada VDC but await to hear of further developments. Once the trails clear we hope to hear more and will let you know how it is all developing.

Syada is not part of the Nepal Trust network of Health clinics but run by the government. We are very happy to help to ensure that all clinics, when we are asked, receive our support and encouragement.

I am very happy to report that there is now clear evidence that our health programme is improving the general health of the populations in the areas we work in. In the four year period between 2013 and 2016 there have been significant decreases in the numbers of patients with diseases and infections caused by poor hygiene and general lifestyles. This is due to the hard work of our clinic staff who provide health advice as part of their everyday duties. It is also the product of our unique Little Doctors programme of health training for school children that teaches basic health, hygiene and lifestyle choices. This programme is now running four courses a year in selected schools in Humla teaching over 85 pupils. The idea is that these pupils go back to their families and siblings and pass on what they have learned, so reaching a much wider audience.

In 2013 the Trust operated five clinics. This is now increased to seven clinics in 2016. The records show a considerable improvement in certain health areas further accentuated by the increased workload. The main improvements are notably in the areas where good health education has the biggest impact. For example, food or waterborne disease such as diarrhea and enteritis, the number of cases have dropped from 1434 to 774 in 2016. Skin diseases have dropped from 986 to 555 and diseases of children under 5 years of age have dropped from 469 to 356.

The drop has been less marked, but still there, in diseases of the respitory, urinary and reproductive tracts from 1699 to 1648. The slow improvement here is largely due to the continued lifestyle of living in enclosed, poorly ventilated and smoky homes. However, our renewable energy programme is continuing to expand to provide clean energy and smokeless stoves to more and more families. it will only get better! A more detailed 2016 summary is attached to this report.

Many, many thanks to all of our friends and supporters for all your help and encouragement over the years. Your donations are essential so that our work can continue in this remote corner of the world but your encouragement means such a lot to us when often faced with insumountable odds! We have never been defeated yet, not even by a war, and it is largely down to you that has kept is going. Please pass this report on to your friends and encourage them to support us too.

• Health Statistics 2016 (PDF)
  
• Our latest Newsletter (PDF)
  

These days, in the UK, doctors and other medical support will only visit you in the direst of emergencies. It is relatively easy to get to a local health centre or A & E if you feel unwell. In the Hidden Himalayas this is often not an option and the nearest functioning health clinic may be hours, or even, days walk a way. A decent hospital may not exist or be at the end of an expensive flight.

Despite these difficulties the hardiness and resilience of the inhabitants is remarkable and they will put up with real hardship to reach their nearest health centre. However, this is not an option for some and a home vist by one of our health workers is essential. Our local staff include home visits in their daily routine even though they may have to walk for hours! Such is life in the Hidden Himalayas.

Fitting out of our Yari Health Post and Birthing Centre is near completion. Furniture and equipment is almost in place. The ANM health worker, recruited locally, has been supporting at one of our other clinics to build up knowledge and support and is now ready to take charge of her own clinic.

One of our oldest clinics at Kermi village is now 16 years old and has done sterling work under the control of the local health worker, a local man from Kermi. The building is now in need of some repair and improvements to properly continue its valuable role in the community. We are now looking for funding to support this initiative. We would welcome any help you can give.

Our Little Doctors programme is a very important health initiative that spreads hygiene and basic health knowledge through the community via children who have been taught at their local school. We have now added a fourth school to our programme. The Shree Him Jyoti Higher Secondary School in south Humla is our latest addition. Each year we can now provide health education to 88 young students who will pass on their new knowledge to their siblings and other family members.

Life continues in this beautiful but remote corner of the world. Your support has made a huge difference as the general health of the population continues to improve and economic opportunities materialize. Thank you so much for all of your help and support. We hope you will continue to support our programme of health and opportunity which brings so much hope to the people of north west Nepal and the Hidden Himalayas.