Providing Free Health Services to 10,000 Villagers

The RMF Health Clinic has been providing free health services to the people of Arupokhari, Gorkha and its neighboring villages since January 2016. In only two years, the clinic has become one of the most popular institutions in the area, as even the government health facility has been unable to provide such dignified, accessible, around-the-clock care to the locals, even during rainy season. With dedicated RMF staff, the clinic has been operating in a temporary structure in the rustic area of Arupokhari. The previous health clinic had been destroyed by the megaquake and aftershocks in April 2015, with the epicenter being nearby. The structure was rendered useful for the RMF Health Clinic by installing metal roofing sheets in place of the walls. The temporary, 2-room structure is still in use as RMF’s clinic building.

RMF has now started construction of a new, earthquake-resistant building for the RMF Health Clinic. The construction contract was mutually agreed upon with Global Engineering Consultants Private Limited in June 2018, and the construction is estimated to be completed by December 2018. The work is continuing at a good pace, and the construction process, quality of materials, and quality of work are being continuously monitored by RMF Clinical Officer Bishnu Sharma, as well as other members of the Clinic Management Committee. RMF Nepal’s management team has also paid two monitoring visits to the site to ensure the quality of the construction materials and process. In the near future, the RMF Health Clinic in Gorkha will start providing services in the new building, with adequate space and running water.

As another step towards sustainability, cooperation with local government, and community ownership, the RMF Health Clinic has also been accredited by the local government of Arughat Rural Municipality, Gorkha, as an autonomous health center that will report to the health section of the municipality.

From May to July 2018, the RMF Health Clinic in Arupokhari, Gorkha has provided free, quality health services to 2,342 patients. Once the new building is completed, RMF’s clinic will be expanding its services with much-needed medical laboratory facilities and the first birthing center in the area, which will provide access to dignified maternity care.