Surgery for Children with Disabilities in Nepal

It started small, an almost chance meeting with a young Nepali surgeon, recently returned from an orthopedic residency in the U.S., at his clinic. He had a modest request (an autoclave) and a bold vision: good medical care for all children with physical disabilities in Nepal. So began our partnership.

The father and son team of Dr. Ashok and Dr. Bibek Banskota are beyond inspiring. Dr. Ashok Banskota built HRDC from the ground up with his uncompromising belief in providing quality care for poor disabled children, and his son Bibek has stepped in and seamlessly amplified his father’s vision. Together they have transformed the lives of 100,000 children.  

Their dedication to living up to their motto “enabling abilities” for kids is legendary. From correcting poorly healed fractures to straightening club feet, they give every child their best, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Care is designed to heal that whole child, from surgery to physical therapy and beyond-there is even a school onsite for recovering patients. When getting children to the hospital was a barrier during the early part of the pandemic, HRDC teams began going to the patients, with satellite clinics, outreach camps, and staff who sometimes arrive by motorcycle.

A visit to HRDC is truly humbling. Being in the presence of the Drs. Banskota is a lesson in compassionate care and motivation, followed with the right actions. And if you visit the hospital on Wednesday around lunch time, never turn down an invitation to the best dal bhat from the hospital kitchen, vegetables courtesy of their new organic garden.

Since that first autoclave 30 years ago, AHF has been a steadfast partner of HRDC. We helped build their 100-bed hospital, encourage growth and innovation, support surgery and rehabilitative care for thousands of children every year, and will continue to champion this healing work for many years to come.