Healthcare & Education in the Hidden Himalayas

Dear Friend,

This project provides basic healthcare & education in the least developed area of Nepal. There are no roads in Humla and the government health system is dysfunctional. Maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world (<30%). More than 50,000 people live in the district. The project is integrated with education, food security, WASH, renewable energy and income generation projects to promote a healthier lifestyle and a secure future for, particularly, women and children.

In Humla the pattern of ill health is dominated by infectious diseases, nutritional disorders, maternal and prenatal diseases. Population groups that exhibit the highest levels of mortality, morbidity and malnutrition are women and children. There is lack of basic health infrastructure and services and low levels of health awareness among the population which contribute to high levels health related problems that in recent years have been exacerbated by political instability and armed conflict.

Through our fundraising and your donations, we have established well equipped and staffed public birthing centers and clinics, in order to develop a sustainable primary healthcare delivery system at grass-roots level.  This falls within the new Government policy, paired with income generation and capacity building measures. Our main focus is on maternal and child healthcare, to provide accessible, efficient and improved health services, coupled with health education related to general health, family planning, WASH and nutrition.

Our delivery partners including the Nepal Development Foundation (NDF) and SHIP Nepal find that the Humla Health and Education Support Project has provided significant support to the health and education sectors in Namkha, Simikot, Sarkegad, Chankheli, and Tanjakot Rural Municipalities of Humla district. People from marginalized and disadvantaged communities continue to benefit directly from this project. 

• Expanding access to health posts has made a significant contribution to reducing deaths caused by a lack of medical treatment, due to financial hardship and has also helped in controlling the birth rate.

• The mobilisation of health workers in health posts has provided significant relief to elderly members of the community, children, pregnant women and impovershed communities who are unable to travel long distances or afford medical treatment.  The one-month internship training has laid the foundation for long-term improvements in commnity health.

• Increased awareness of health and sanitation (WASH), and diseases has decreased the rate of infections.

• Improvements in healthcare for mothers and newborns has been significant, due to maternity serivces being provided at birthing centres in Piplang, Kermi, Bargaun, Sarkegad and Tumcha.

• Country Director, Jeroen van den Bergh and Board Member, Melanie Stallen have met with donor agencies during their recent field trip to Humla and discussed the actual situation of health, education and community in the district.  The delivery of our program received valuable feedback and we look to expand in the coming years, based on identified needs.

• Local schools and government have awarded SHIP Nepal a certificate of appreciation for their direct support to marginalised communities.

Every £ or $ donated, is spent in Nepal.  Thank you for your continued support.

Namaste,

Links:

• Donate here