Lifesaving healthcare for remote farming villages

The Nepalese Constitution addresses health care as a fundamental right, stating that every citizen has the right to basic health services free of cost. The reality, however, is far from this vision. While in urban areas access to care is readily available to a large percentage of the population, remote rural areas are often too far from a hospital or healthpost for people to benefit from timely treatment.

To remedy this situation, the Nepalese Government has made a push to establish and certify more Community Hospitals in rural Nepal.

Over the past two years, the DCWC’s Rajbash Hospital in the remote Kavre district has earned the trust and respect of the Nepalese government, and especially the Health Ministry. Recently our small hospital received the designation of ‘Community Hospital’ from the Health Ministry.  In Nepal a Community Hospital has to have 51 beds; since our existing hospital to date has only 15 beds, DCWC was granted the funds to build an additional 36 bed hospital to adjoin the current 15 bed one.  Also included in this grant are the funds to equip the new hospital to a functional level.  A new X-ray machine, financed through this grant, has already been delivered to Rajbash and immediately put into service by the overjoyed hospital staff. Work on the foundation for the new portion of the hospital is proceeding as we write. However, construction is not expected to be completed for at least another year.  

While very generous, this grant does not include any provision for increased operating expenses. Increased capacity will require an increase in qualified staff. As of now a plan for how to meet these future expenses has not been worked out. 

A second construction project is underway: The original hospital kitchen, in which the staff cooked for themselves and for patients, was badly damaged during the devastating earthquake two years ago. Thanks to funding generously provided by a long time supporter of the hospital, rebuilding has started in April; the foundation is being completed as we write. The staff is anxious to move the current make shift kitchen operation into the new building. 

Inspite of all the ups and downs and changes in Rajbash, our staff has finally coalesced into a tight little group, united in the knowledge that they are doing important and noble work. Our friends from DCWC UK who visited Rajbash in April commented on the smooth running of the hospital and the sense of unity between staff members.         

Lastly a few quick notes:

     *Karin and Patrick visited the DC Headquarters of GlobalGiving in April. We were warmly received and so glad   to meet in person those who have assisted us over the past few years and are always ready with advice and encouragement. GlobalGiving will be sending a representative to visit Rajbash in the coming months and will provide us with feedback of their impressions.

      *Our Nepalese founder, Akka Lama, visited and gave an update on happenings at the hospital and the charity.

      *Steve and Jeanette Gross once again created a very successful fundraising concert while Akka was here.

      *The Annapurna Basecamp Trek in April was a great success. More on that and pictures in our next report.