Nepal
is a country of 25 million people located
between China and India. Its mountains, lack
of infrastructure, and land-locked status
pose extreme barriers to development. Its
per capita income is USD $218 and the vast
majority of people are subsistence farmers.
Government presence lies mainly in the capital
city of Kathmandu. Nepal's maternal mortality
ratio (MMR) of 539/100,000 births ranks among
the highest in the world. (In comparison,
Sri Lanka's MMR is 94, while the United States'
is just 8). Life expectancy is 55 years. Diseases
of pregnant women, children, infections, and
malnutrition account for two thirds of Nepal's
illnesses.There is a gaping disparity in the
quality of health care access offered in urban
and rural areas. While Kathmandu, the capital
city of Nepal, has 98 doctors for every 100,000
people, rural Nepal averages just 2.5 per
100,000 - and in many of its 75 districts,
there is no doctor. Many approved government
posts of all levels of health care workers
are unfilled.For example, for the whole of
Nepal, 13% of all baby deliveries are conducted
by trained personnel; and for the poorest
fifth of the population (mainly rural) the
number is just 3%.As rural areas have the
greatest need of health services, VSN has
been focusing its health camps to meet a small
number of those need in urban and rural areas
of Nepal. With this program hundreds of local
people have been already benefited. While
Nepali underprivileged people are receiving
health services from health experts, overseas
medical professionals, medical students, and
other volunteers also receive the opportunity
to work side-by-side with other foreigners
and Nepali health professionals in a Third
World setting.During their time working in
a health camp, trained and experienced Nepali
doctors and other health personnel will accompany
and support the overseas volunteers.Health
camps are conducted for three to five days.
Overseas volunteers will work alongside their
Nepali counterparts to organize overall health
camps, examine patients,distribute medicine
and consult with communities about sanitation
and health care.
Health camps are located in the mountainous
and/or rural regions of Nepal. Volunteers
live for one to two weeks in the same manner
as the Nepali people. The participants camp
in tents near the clinic and eat traditional
food cooked by Nepali cooks.
As this program will be organized
in rural areas of Nepal, this program would
give volunteers the opportunity to experience
the rich culture,natural splendor, panoramic
views, short treks and daily life of one of
the most beautiful yet poorest nations in
the world, and at the same time experience
life in Nepal first-hand, working alongside
Nepali people to help support local communities
in Nepal.Before conducting health camps, volunteers
will be involved in organizing and conducting
health awareness to the youth clubs, women's
groups, school children and other local organizations.
If any one is interested in joining this programme
they may work in the permanent clinics in
Kathmandu or in rural settings. Volunteers
may choose a term of service ranging from
one week to 2 months.Whilst we would prefer
volunteers with medical experience, anyone
interested in healthcare is invited to apply
for this programme.
Note:
This program will be organized only in a group
and group size should be more than 4 people.
