Medical care & rehabilitation changing lives 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