Medical care & rehabilitation changing lives Nepal

Namaste and welcome to our April project report,

Since our last project report, Trustee, Virginia, and Management Committee Member, Sue, went to Nepal to spend time at the Shelter. As always, it was wonderful to see MeRO’s Director, Samrat and MeRO’s clinical staff and board members again and meet the patients. It is always impressive to see Samrat in action in terms of the core activities that make up MeRO but it was also reassuring to recognise the many governance improvements that have happened since my last visit, so much so that even the Social Welfare Council (the Government department that regulates non-profit organisations in Nepal) is impressed!

The management of burns injuries continues to be a challenge at the Shelter. Over the last three months six-month-old Divyans had skin grafts and the amputation of two toes when his socks caught fire from a burning log. Nine-year-old Anjani was transferred to the Shelter following burns injuries to her neck, chest and upper abdomen. She requires one more surgery to release burns contractures to her neck.16-year-old Chandani was deliberately pushed into a fire and received burns to 15% of her body, predominantly to her face, chest and neck. She was treated but her parents ran out of money which meant all treatment ceased and she was forced to return home. Her burns were dressed by her mother’s employer who eventually found help for her and she was referred to MeRO where she had multiple wound debridements and skin grafts. She has required complex wound dressings but her wounds have now all healed. She is now receiving physiotherapy and learning how to help prevent burns contractures.

Several patients came through the Shelter when a Polish rehabilitation team made their annual visit to Kathmandu and received great quality prostheses. Six-year old Arun with his cochlear implants was discharged home after several months of speech therapy. Seven-year-old Saugat returned for his reconstructive eye surgery following the removal of a hemangioma a couple of years ago. Their aim was for him to be fitted with a prosthetic eye. His surgeons however decided further surgery was too risky and in addition to this, it was impossible to find a suitable eye that would fit the socket for him in Nepal.

10-year-old Naina was referred for investigation for joint swelling and pain and has been treated for rheumatoid arthritis. 12-year-old Prashant was admitted following surgical correction of a club foot and required intensive physiotherapy and the fitting of orthoses or aids to help with his mobility. He was discharged and could not wait to play soccer with his friends! 11-year-old Sagun had complex urological surgery and went home happy. 16-year-old Susaan was a previous patient who has now been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. She was re-admitted with metastases or secondary tumours in her lungs for which she is receiving chemotherapy. 44-year-old Budhi was admitted for rehabilitation following a stroke which left him with a right hemiplegia. He has never received physiotherapy so was admitted for this.

50-year-old Nabaraj fell from the 4^th floor whilst working as a security guard in India. He fractured his spine and had multiple fractures to his left leg, both of which were operated on. Sadly infection set in and his leg had to be amputated due to infection.  He incurred a huge medical debt and required a higher amputation following his transfer to the Shelter. He has received  regular complex wound care and physiotherapy and will be fitted with a prosthesis once he has recovered.

The most significant thing that happened since our last newsletter was that MeRO’s wonderful Director, Samrat, was admitted to hospital with a bowel obstruction and required major surgery for bowel cancer. This came as a huge shock to everyone that knows him. A  private fundraising campaign was initiated. (which was completely separate to Roads to Rehab Nepal) to ensure his medical debt was covered. Everything to do with MeRO is Samrat's full-time unpaid job. Sajina, Samrat's wife, was the breadwinner of the family until USAID ceased their operations in Nepal and she became unemployed.  A huge thank you to of you who contributed. He is currently ‘working from home’ and MeRO’s clinical staff and board members are doing a wonderful job while he is recovering. Knowing Samrat, he will be in a huge hurry to get back to the Shelter!

With best wishes and grateful thanks for your amazing support.

Virginia Dixon

President, Roads to Rehab Nepal