By Sarah Galvin | Director
Kashigaun is a 1 day truck ride followed by a 2 day walk. I would be accompanying 6 months of medical supplies (which had been delayed by the blockade) for our 3 clinics on that side of the valley.
The village of Kashigaun is a mixture of buildings that have more or less survived the earthquakes, tin shacks, tents and new builds. Life there appears harsh and it was very cold living in a building constructed of zinc sheets. The only warmth was provided by our cooking fire.
The Health post itself has survived the earthquakes and the PHASE staff there provide back up support to the 2 government Assistant Medical Officers for 3 days each week. They also do another 3 days of community outreach visits.
The children in the village were scantily clad and many complained of upper respiratory tract infections. Other had deceptively low temperatures and signs of pneumonia. Many of the children we saw in the clinic would have been hospitalised if they had been seen in a doctor’s surgery back in UK. It caused me some anxiety wondering how they would be after receiving oral paracetamol and antibiotics.
One day I walked up a hill and found myself outside a house which I recognised as belonging to the mother of a 2 year old we had seen late the night before with pneumonia. I asked after the baby and was invited in for tea. James, the 2 year old, was playing with his older sister and was certainly not showing the signs of rapid breathing and lethargy of the previous night. I was pleased that the PHASE supported health post was able to support James and other families in the community. The baby (pictured) is very special - born during the 1st earthquake and now 8 months old!
Nepali villagers struggle with immense difficulties; geographical, political and climatic all tempered with the unpredictable daily events that make up their lives. Despite the lack of facilities our nurses do a brilliant job. Living in a physically harsh environment is easy when you are able to share with such wonderfully caring people.
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