Nepal

Nepal

Under the towering splendour of Mount Everest and the Himalayan mountain range, lies Nepal, a country of 30 million people, in an area roughly twice the size of Tasmania. This tiny country is wedged between the two rising superpowers of India to the south, and China to the north.

Like most developing countries, agriculture is the primary way of life. The government offers minimal support services or benefits. An estimated 50% of the population is living on less than $1.25 a day, and as a result the day to day life for the Nepali people can be harsh. Therefore, specialist medical care is difficult to access and a luxury that few would be able to afford.

Burns Surgery in Nepal

Our Burns Surgery project officially commenced in 2006 and followed our Cleft Lip and Palate project that ran for 10 years until 2004. Our project is based in Banepa, just outside the country’s capital Kathmandu.

The project providesreconstructive surgery for burns victimsthat have lost functionality as a result of burns injury and subsequent contracture. The staggering numbers of burn related injuries in this region means that the government hospital networks cannot cope with the demand. Coupled with the inability for most patients to afford this type of surgery, means many individuals must endure a life tragically inhibited by their disabilities. The negative stigma associated with this type of injury can be equally devastating.

The project makes it possible for those who would otherwise be unable, to access the opportunity to receive the surgery they require.

Combined with its predecessor, the Clift Lip and Palate project, this is one of Open Heart International’s longest running projects.

Women’s Health in Nepal

The project originated from a request by our local partner in Nepal to the Burns Surgery team. From this request, a smallWomen’s Health teamwas added to the Burns Surgery team for two years during 2010 & 2011.

In 2012, the project was officially established as a stand-alone project. Its main base is also in Banepa, however a second base was established in 2013 in Dadledhura, a small town in the far west of the country.

An estimated 600,000 women in Nepal suffer from third degree prolapse and 200,000 need immediate corrective surgery.

Our project provides surgery and ultimately an improvement of the quality of life to women suffering from uterine prolapse and obstetric fistula, conditions that can lead to devastating abuse, isolation and loss of identity for women.