Positive balance for the Nepalese medical structure at the service of the poorest

Peace Times 11

The dental studio of the
Himalayan Healing Centre

In 4 years, 17 thousand patients visited. Icing on the cake,
dental care! And now also a new clinic dedicated to the
eradication of tuberculosis

«We look with optimism towards new achievements in the clinic and that one day it might turn into a good community hospital» comments Mr Tamdrin Bhutie, manager of the Himalayan Healing Centre, situated in Kathmandu, Nepal. The clinic, which opened its doors in 1995, with the aim of providing quality medical services at a minimal charge for the local people in the area has, in fact, every reason to be optimistic. Since 1995, no less than 17,250 patients have been treated by the clinic, with numbers reaching 6,000 in 1998. The services of the clinic, which also hosts European doctors, are now in so much demand that the staff are planning to extend the opening hours of the clinic as well as provide a 24 hour emergency service.

Behind the growing success of the clinic, which now also receives patients from outside Kathmandu, are an increasing range of facilities including ophtalmology, reproductive health care and ante-natal check-ups, which directly confront the two major healthcare problems of Nepal: cataracts and infant mortality. A tuberculosis clinic (in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Centre) has also been launched recently and is now treating 28 patients free of charge. The dental studio has proved to be a great success and say the staff of the clinic «has played a vital role in the development of the clinic’s reputation». Mr Tamdrin adds «Dental care is so expensive in Nepal, people cannot afford treatment. Here people receive treatment from professional doctors using modern equipment at a very low price». But first time patients to the clinic are not only impressed by modern equipment and services, but also by the peaceful environment, social services and team of dedicated staff.

Mr Tamdrin concludes: «Our income is very low as we work as a non-profit organisation, but our target is to provide more free care for the poor. The whole treatment is carried out with non-profitable charges, but for those who cannot pay registration fees, tests and so on we provide free treatment, and if they are in need of emergency care in hospital they are also given some financial help». The clinic praised by locals for its dedication to the poor and aiding the development of the whole village is proving itself to be in more ways than one a model example in this area.

Manju Mishra

Calling all doctors

Continuing with its activities as a healthcare centre where western and traditional himalayan medicines are integrated, the Himalayan Healing Centre in Kathmandu, founded by the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation in 1995, is looking for qualified doctors in the fields of general medicine, ophtalmology, as well as dentists and dental technicians who are interested in working voluntarily.

The Healing Centre is also in desperate need of medicines as well as equipment for the dental studio and small laboratory.

Anyone who is interested in collaborating with the Himalayan Healing Centre, should contact by fax the Lama Gangchen World Peace Service, Western School of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology, in Milan, with details of their curriculum and the period for which they are available for voluntary work.

The number to contact is: +39 02 6072445.