HEALTH
HEALTH is a major project for CHANCE for NEPAL. Preventing accidents in the home, and addressing issues caused by poverty, poor nutrition and lack of health facilities are all in areas which CHANCE does crucial and lifesaving work.
In Nepal, adult life expectancy is only 59 years. 40% of children come from extremely poor families in which 48% of children are malnourished.The mortality rate of children below 5 years of age is 61 per 1,000 births in Nepal. Health is a major project for CHANCE for NEPAL.
BVS Prevention of Burns
A team from BVS (Burn Violence Survivors) one of our partners on the ground in Nepal went to Dhading in the District of Thakre around 40 km outside Kathmandu Valley to give a presentation on the dangers of burns in the home and workplace. In real time this district takes over 5 hours to reach, first by road, then bumpy track.
The topic was “Raising Awareness on Burn Injury”, and this was conducted at the Shree Mahankaleshwori Secondary School. The presentation was given to the teachers, students from Grades 5 to 10 and local workers.
Topics discussed were the type of burn and the causes. Many burns are caused by flame, hot water, naked electric cables, chemicals, open cooking fires and lightning. Many could be avoided with more care and attention and not leaving young children unattended in the home with open fires and cooking pots on stoves where little hands can reach up and spill over the contents. The first and most effective treatment for all burns is the application of cold water. Case studies of burn patients were also shown. This has a big impact and gets the point across.
The feedback to me from BVS was that the presentation was fruitful and effective and the students were most engaged.
There has been a high incidence of burns since the beginning of 2018 in this area. So BVS wished to make the long journey to give their expertise on the dangers of burns in the home and workplace and what to do if a burn occurs.
Leaflets were also given out and hopefully the word spreads via the teachers, workers and students to their families to others in this district.
CHANCE works closely with BVS and this is one of many initiatives CHANCE funds for this organisation.
The other preventative measure we fund is a 30-minute, once a month radiobroadcast which goes to 73 of 75 districts of Nepal.
Here CHANCE for NEPAL provides funds for skin graft operations; physiotherapy six days a week; a weekly high-protein, nutritional food basket for each patient; specialized creams and bandages; three counsellors four times a week providing ongoing psychological help to patients and their families; and emergency help for the family including medicines, transport and food.
A radio programme, funded by CHANCE for NEPAL, is transmitted from The Teaching Hospital and interviews doctors, plastic surgeons, the head sister of the Burns Unit, parents and the patients themselves: children who have experienced terrible burns. The doctors advise on ways to stop such accidents occurring. This vital, half-hourly programme goes out once a month and was the initiative of BVS in Nepal and ACORAB Community radio. The programme will reach 73 of 75 regions through a network of 200 community radio stations throughout Nepal.
In the remote villages of Nepal, most of the villagers depend on radio to keep in touch – and so most families will be tuning in!
Education and prevention is the key factor in stopping these appalling burns.
Recent Health News
MEDICAL CAMPS with MOUNTAIN HEART NEPAL
CHANCE funded the medicines for 6 medical camps during 2018 which resulted in over 150 medical checks. We also funded an important piece of apparatus called a haemocue which measures the child’s haemoglobin. Iron deficiency is one of the main reasons for stunting in children. These medical camps conducted by Mountain Heart Nepal took place
KANTI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND BURNS UNIT (22 beds)
BURNS In NEPAL, many people cook on open fires, especially in the villages, and incidents of appalling burns in children are sadly a common occurrence: a mother may go outside to get wood or do chores, a boiling pan is left unattended and a toddler wanders over and pulls down the scalding water. At the
THE HERROD FOUNDATION
Through CHANCE for NEPAL The Herrod Foundation has been giving generous support for over 8 years and funds up to 35 skin graft and debridements each year along with medicines and emergency care at both the Kanti Children’s Hospital and the Teaching Hospital.
HEALTH POSTS
DHUBICHOUR Since the 2015 earthquake, GMIN has built many homes, shelters and schools in remote areas. One example is the new health post in Dhubichour, 450km from Kathmandu which opened in 2016 and is attended by a visiting doctor and two resident nurses (one being a midwife). CHANCE for NEPAL funds the costs of running
HEALTH IN SCHOOLS
TRIPLE GEM AND SHREE SECONDARY CHANCE for NEPAL extends its work to improve health in schools, where nutrition for the very young is vital. For example, a daily cup of milk given to pupils in the lower school at Triple Gem School and a ‘Tiffin’ meal at Shree Secondary School in Chitwan.
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