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NepalPeople living in the mountainous regions of Nepal suffer a wide range of preventable illnesses associated with poor living conditions including respiratory infections, skin ailments and diarrhoeal diseases. Health structures are poor and dilapidated, with blocked and unusable sanitary facilities, no healthcare waste management, inadequate staffing levels and a lack of medical supplies. MSF initially began working in Nepal to care for those isolated by the Maoist conflict. However, projects are increasingly focusing on upgrading basic healthcare and establishing services for women. Often excluded from the healthcare system by social discrimination, women have little access to routine reproductive care or emergency obstetrical surgery. In May, MSF organised and supervised a women’s ‘surgical camp’ in partnership with the Nepalese Ministry of Health and the Public Health Concern Trust. The project provided surgery for women suffering from uterinevaginal prolapse, often caused by obstetrical trauma during labour and delivery. The condition results in a variety of debilitating and difficult symptoms including pain, discharge and bladder infections. Successful surgery was provided to over 80 women. MSF also expanded its Kalikot project, which focuses on women’s health as well as offering general primary and secondary care. Almost 20,000 patients were seen. The infrastructure and operating procedures of the hospital were improved and MSF opened a day centre providing therapeutic feeding for over 100 malnourished children. The team also responded to numerous cholera outbreaks. Despite the conflict between Maoists and the government being officially over since November 2006, sporadic fighting has continued to threaten the fragile peace. MSF opened a new project in the Central Terai, Rauthahat district, where the local population lives amid fighting between Madheshi armed groups and government forces. The violence has resulted in severe restrictions on movement, limiting people’s ability to reach healthcare services. By mid-year, marked improvements in the security situation of certain areas allowed MSF to hand over three projects. Health authorities took over the work in Khotang, while activities in Rukumkot and Arviskot were transferred to local non-governmental organisations. MSF has worked in Nepal since 2002. |
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