Providing Free Health Services to 10,000 Villagers

Mina is a 48-year-old woman who was suffering from loose stools multiple times a day. Her condition was getting worse, as she had several episodes of vomiting too. Instead of visiting a local health facility or health professional, she and her family opted to call for a traditional healer, or “Dhami.” He offered sacred offerings to different gods and goddesses to satisfy them and drive the evil force away so that Mina’s condition would be better, but all the ceremonies were in vain, and Mina’s condition continued deteriorating instead of improving. She was not given water to drink, as her family thought the more water she drank, the more episodes of loose stools she would suffer. Superstition still thrives in the rural areas of Nepal, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality.

When Mina’s condition did not improve after the Dhami’s offerings, her family members finally decided to take her to the RMF clinic in Arupokhari, the nearest health center to their home. RMF clinician Laxmi received Mina and upon assessment found that she was moderately dehydrated and her condition was worsening. Acting promptly, Laxmi inserted an IV for Mina and infused two pints of Ringer’s lactate solution. The results were immediately seen; Mina visibly started to feel better. She was also given metronidazole and ciprofloxacin in injectable forms.

Mina was allowed to drink oral rehydration solution as well. At first, she refused to drink, fearing that she would have more loose stools, but once she was counseled about the role of the solution in treatment of loose stools, she quickly understood and drank the therapy she was given. After a few hours, when her condition was more stable, she was discharged from the clinic. Mina and her daughter-in-law wondered at how ignorant they had been about the illness. Mina said that the bottles of saline worked magic on her, and now she would visit the RMF clinic any time she fell ill, rather that visiting the traditional healer. She was very grateful when she left. Through prompt treatment and effective counseling, RMF’s clinician once again proved her efficiency in overcoming the superstitions that prevail in rural society.

Altogether, 7,062 patients benefitted from health services provided by the RMF Health Clinic in the year 2017. Quality, around-the-clock services and the availability of affordable medications have been key factors in the RMF clinic’s growing popularity, both in the village of Arupokhari and surrounding communities.

Chinta is an 89-year-old woman residing in the steep hills of Arupokhari, Nepal. As winter approaches, her health has been affected by the dropping temperatures. Because Chinta is very old and cannot move about, she was suffering from severe respiratory illness. She was living alone, with nobody in the house to take care of her. A neighbor informed RMF’s clinic staff about the elderly woman.

After learning of Chinta’s situation, RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu Prasad Sharma traveled to her home for a house call. There Chinta was lying outside of her house, wheezing and coughing badly. She had a fever, and her legs were swollen. She was in a poor condition. RMF’s clinician assessed her thoroughly. Chinta had a chest infection and had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for many years. She could barely stand up and walk, and only her neighbors took care of her.

RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu kept Chinta in a comfortable position and gave her warm water to drink, as she was thirsty. He then provided a medication to loosen the mucus in her respiratory system. After a while of taking the medication, she told him that she was feeling far better. Due to the warm water she drank, she was able to cough out some mucus, which also gave her some relief. Leaving Chinta with some antibiotics for the chest infection and a bronchodilator plus furosemide to reduce the swelling of her legs, RMF’s clinician asked the neighbor to keep informing him about Chinta’s condition. She was also advised to go to the district hospital for a check-up. RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu returned to Chinta’s house twice after that to check on her condition, and he found that she was improving.

Chinta felt as if she was sent an angel to rescue her out of her misery. She was very thankful to RMF’s clinician for his help during this difficult time.

The RMF Health Clinic has gained respect and goodwill in Gorkha, as it is the only health facility that provides continuous, high quality services to the people of Arupokhari and its neighboring villages. Health services are free of charge, while medications are provided at minimal cost. In the month of September alone, 717 patients benefitted from the clinic, and the number of patients served from January to September 2017 is 5,418.