Medical care & rehabilitation changing lives Nepal

Namaste and welcome to our September project report.

We have included words from Samrat, MeRO’s Director in this project report as he captures the essence of MeRO so much better than we can.

First though, a huge thank you goes to everyone who supported our GlobalGiving July Bonus Day fundraising campaign and our annual Fundraising Dinner.  Your amazing generosity across both events generated AU$8,681/US$5,693 for medical care for patients at MeRO’s Shelter.

MeRO has had a difficult time over the last few months, but we will share the good news stories first.

Since our last newsletter, all nine of MeRO’s patients were happily discharged, These included patients who underwent a pelvectomy for osteosarcoma, treatment for osteomyelitis,acute burns injuries, cardiac surgery and surgery for burns contractures.

Eight new patients were admitted - Pariasal and 13-year-old Bipula both had burns contracture release surgery. Dhan was struck by lightning and is receiving ongoing physiotherapy and nursing care following a prolonged stay in hospital. Radhika had heart surgery and was transferred to the Shelter post-operatively. Dhana requires ongoing treatment for urological cancer, and 13 year-old Joshan had cardiac surgery. Two brothers, 14-year-old Prashant, and 12-year-old Hamenta both looked like healthy, normal children on the outside, but they shared a serious congenital abnormality that affected their ability to urinate normally. Prashant was taken to India for his first surgery when he was a year old. Medical care is often cheaper there than in Nepal. The doctors asked his father to bring him back a year later for a second surgery, but by that time his younger brother, Hamenta, had been born. Samrat stated their parents said “we were heartbroken and financially drained. We could not continue the boys’ treatment”.

A decade later their father heard about a young man who was referred to MeRO and underwent urological surgery. A chance meeting with a journalist who was in the region and knew of MeRO changed their lives. Samrat said “desperate for help, the boys father reached out to us”. Prashant has now had his second and final surgery and Hamenta has had his first.His second surgery will be done in a few months time. Their father said he “could not express his happiness enough because his children can now have a normal life.”

Now for the hard stuff….We do feel a responsibility to let you know about MeRO’s patients who do not pull through. MeRO has had the occasional patient who passes away but the last few months have been very different. It all started with a miscarriage - 28-year-old Mansara, was referred to the Shelter on a complicated regime of blood thinning medications since a previous double valve replacement for Rheumatic Heart Disease a few years ago. She had a stillbirth previously due to this, and was pregnant for the second time. Even in Australia a successful pregnancy, delivery and prognosis for someone on these medications is not guaranteed. The plan was for her and her husband to remain at the Shelter for the duration of her pregnancy so she could receive regular monitoring and specialist reviews fortnightly.  Sadly, despite these she lost this baby too.

Karna required an elbow and shoulder replacement and had his first surgery recently which went well. His wife, Sima, accompanied him to the Shelter, and as she complained of some intermittent abdominal pain MeRO organised for her to see a doctor too. She was diagnosed with an infection in her liver and was prescribed medications and regular follow-ups. About ten days after Karna’s surgery, she suddenly developed severe abdominal pain and was rushed to hospital. She sadly passed away that day, due to a large gastrointestinal bleed from an undiagnosed gastric ulcer. It was a huge shock for everyone.

It is incredibly hard for MeRO when they have patients pass away, especially when they are children. Little Gautam was so brave and such a little cutie. He was only 6 when he first came to the Shelter for cardiac surgery. He did really well and was discharged and returned for regular follow-ups. He recently required a second surgery, but sadly there were complications.

Samrat wrote: “Life is truly unpredictable. When we take on something as difficult and uncertain as a medical journey, we never really know how it will end. Some stories bring us hope and joy, while others leave us with pain and loss. With a very heavy heart, we share that Gautam is no longer with us. Despite all our efforts and care over the past three years, we lost him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We are also deeply thankful to everyone who stood by us and supported Gautam throughout his journey. Your kindness meant the world to us and to him

Then there was another tragedy…14 year old Nirmala needed urgent cardiac surgery. Due to poverty and a number of other complex intertwined factors, she had experienced a succession of lengthy delays in obtaining timely, appropriate treatment for her congenital heart issues. She was referred to MeRO by a district hospital and transferred to Kathmandu. When she arrived, Samrat said “I have no words to describe her condition. She is fighting with death. I don’t know what the future holds for her and she may or may not recover from this crisis.” Nirmala remained in ICU for 4 days whilst surgery was being planned. Sadly she passed away before it could take place.

Samrat shared the news with “Sometimes, life puts us in situations we cannot control. What we can control is how we respond. Despite our best efforts and the dedication of doctors over the past four days in the ICU, we lost her. Nirmala’s passing is not just a personal loss - it is a reflection of the harsh reality faced by many people living in rural Nepal. Even with the best medical care available, the delay in reaching a proper facility can be fatal. Her story resembles a common story of many Nepalese who live far from advanced healthcare services. But one thing I’ll always be proud of is our Team MeRO. At the very least, we were able to get her to the best medical facility in Nepal. That alone is a victory. We gave her a chance which she would never have otherwise had”.

We are sorry to bring upsetting news and as always, we are all so grateful for your ongoing support.

With best wishes and grateful thanks,.

Virginia Dixon

President, Roads to Rehab Nepal

Namaste and welcome to our May project report.

Things are always busy at the Shelter. Since our last project report everyone we told you about has  been discharged, except for 34-year-old Krishna. He was going to be Nepal’s first ever cardiac transplant patient. Sadly he passed away before a suitable heart was found.

New patients at the Shelter since February included 22-year-old Saraswati who is training to become a teacher.  When she was young she was holding a charging mobile phone when it exploded.  Her hand was badly burned and she required an amputation. She has never had a prosthetic arm fitted so was very happy to receive one at last.

Ram also had his first prosthetic arm fitted even though he is a man in his fifties. Several other ex-patients of MeRO's were also fitted with prostheses thanks to a Polish organisation called Kathmandu Therapy Camp. They visit Nepal annually and MeRO is one of the organisations they support with prostheses and mobility aids. 

44-year-old Maninath had a motorbike accident and fractured his left leg. He had what is referred to as an ‘ORIF” (open reduction and internal fixation). This is a surgical procedure used to repair broken bones by realigning the fracture and stabilizing the bone with implants like screws, plates, or rods. Unfortunately osteomyelitis (infection) within the bone developed. He was referred to MeRO as he has an open wound which requires ongoing nursing care and daily dressings.

Paras is 18 and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). He had to have a huge surgery called a pelvectomy where part of his pelvis was removed. He also required an above knee amputation. Chemotherapy was given both prior to and post-surgery, and he has had intensive physiotherapy. He also required daily dressings. When he came to the Shelter, he was extremely frightened, anxious and depressed, but thanks to the wonderful psychological support received from staff and patients alike, he is doing really well. His road to rehabilitation will be long but he is now ambulant with crutches and will eventually receive a prosthetic leg. He is looking forward to returning to school.

30-year-old Mamata had open heart surgery for a congenital heart defect, as did 30-year-old Bhakta who had a valve replacement. Three year old Sampadha made an amazing recovery after her clothing caught fire. She had burns to 18% of her lower body and experienced a delay of several days before she received appropriate medical care in Kathmandu. She had several surgeries, a long stint in ICU and is a happy little girl again!

Amit had surgery to release burns contractures affecting his neck and mouth which happened when a gas cannister exploded at work, and 8-year-old Milan had his third and final ear surgery.

Rabindra had a work accident. He was a guest worker in Malaysia. His left hand became entangled in a machine. He was first taken to a private hospital, and then to a Government one, but other than pain relief, he received no other medical care. He told Samrat, MeRO's Director, that his hand 'started to rot'. His passport had been taken away from him by his employer. He begged them to release it and finally they did. He was then able to return to Nepal. He was admitted to hospital in Kathmandu for surgery and was discharged the next day even though he required a second surgery and second-daily reviews for a month. Samrat said “With little money and a wife and 3-year-old child to care for, it is nearly impossible for him to survive in Kathmandu. After hearing his story from a nurse who worked at this hospital, we happily welcomed him and his family. We are hoping he will not need an amputation”.

All these people would have had completely different outcomes if it were not for your kindness, compassion and generosity. As always, your wonderful support is so much appreciated by all and will continue to help change the lives of people in Nepal who have experienced significant injury or illness and cannot access medical care due to poverty.

If you ever have any questions or would like more information about any aspect of our work, please do not hesitate to contact us.

With best wishes and grateful thanks,

Virginia Dixon

President, Roads to Rehab Nepal