Make a Difference to Healthcare in Rural Nepal

Dr Lalit is still trying to gain one of the very few postgraduate places available to him in Kathmandu.  He has more exams coming up in the next couple of months and he's studying hard to give himself the best possible chance of success.  In the meantime, he continues to work in one of the remotest regions of Nepal, as a doctor at Rukum District Hospital, as part of the Government’s comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care programme.  He made front-page news across Nepal recently, because he carried out an emergency lower segment caesarian section with very limited resources in very difficult cirmcumstances.

During the operation the electricity cut out – a common occurrence in hospitals in the remote regions of Nepal – and Lalit had to continue the operation via torches held by members of his operating team.

Lalit says: “It was the first caesarian section that I’ve carried out in the past 8 months under such limited resources! I would like to thank my operating team, the district health officer, public health nurse, hospital staff and leaders for all your kind support. Thank you all.”

We are so very proud of Lalit for this amazing work - not only did he carry out such a dangerous operation with sporadic electricity and via torchlight, but, most importantly, he delivered the baby safely with both mother and child doing very well. 

Dr Lalit is so very grateful for all the support he is receiving towards his dream of continuing his medical studies to postgraduate level.This is what he said when he heard that we have managed to raise £7,432 so far thanks to your donations:

“Namaste! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! I cannot believe how much money has been raised and I am truly very grateful. I will strive to do my very best work as a doctor in the remotest parts of Nepal. Thank you.” Dr Lalit.

We are very aware that our doctors need postgraduate training to be really effective, but at present there are very few government-assisted postgraduate places in Nepal. Lalit is currently trying to secure one of these places by passing all of his postgraduate entrance exams and then being selected.  Lalit writes: "I hope to start a new job at either the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences or at Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, but nothing is certain. I will be preparing for my postgraduate entrance exam at the same time as working. I am completely dedicated to bringing healthcare in remote Nepal but I need to refine my skill, knowledge enough to make a real difference." 

As a result of the uncertainty surrounding Lalit’s pursuit of a postgraduate place, Doctors for Nepal has decided to extend our project to include all our qualified doctors and medical students, and have raised our total goal to accommodate this.  We are now seeking £40,000 to be able to help fund further postgraduate study for any of our three qualified doctors, Lalit, Nahakul or Meena – in return they promise to serve their remote rural communities for a minimum of 5 further years.

Dr Nahakul writes “I want to thank everybody and I’m really grateful and really in debt to all the people who are directly or indirectly involved in Doctors for Nepal.  It’s great to be part of such a big family.  Thank you everyone.”

Due to our focus on postgraduate finances, we have been unable to award an undergraduate scholarship for thie academic year 2017/2018, so, should none of our qualified doctors be successful in their bids to secure postgraduate places in the future, your very generous donations will go towards funding our current undergraduate medical students’ studies and towards future scholarships. 

Thank you from all at Doctors for Nepal and may we wish you a very Happy Christmas.