Social and healthcare project at Khagendra Hospital, Kathmandu – Nepal

In November 2019, a group of three volunteers travelled to Nepal to launch the first phase of the social and healthcare project at the orthopedic hospital in Kathmandu. They took with them a large amount of medical and educational supplies needed to start the planned activities.

For approximately two weeks, they worked on the healthcare aspect, which consisted of developing, together with the center’s own staff, some techniques for treating and caring for patients. They also implemented a practical and visual system for personal hygiene, through training and the distribution of descriptive posters visible throughout the hospital.

At the same time, hey fitted out premises to serve as a classroom and workshop, where users will receive training in new occupational, leisure and therapeutic activities, the use of recycled materials, self-management skills, economics, etc.

Despite the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it impossible for our volunteers to travel to continue with the next phases of the project, we have been able to monitor progress through our partners in Kathmandu, who have been sending us regular and comprehensive management reports and photographs on how the project is evolving. We have noted that, in terms of healthcare, recent restrictions on nursing staff at the hospital itself have led to a decline in the services and improvements provided by our volunteers. We hope to be able to resume the project when it is possible to travel to the country again.

In terms of socio-educational aspects, it has been observed that the new techniques, materials and equipment have been very well received, and we can see how users utilize the premises, which have been converted into a workshop, to carry out their occupational activities. They maintain an acceptable level of order in the facilities and take care of the objects they manufacture, distribute and sell. Proof of this is that, through the sale of their products, they have been able to finance the construction of a car park for adapted motorcycles.

Therefore, the project coordination team in Nepal has decided to conclude the first phase of the project. We are waiting for the borders to reopen so that we can continue our work, if possible, both in the health sector and in the expansion of the socio-educational sector, taking advantage of the outdoor spaces available at the center to improve the gardening, horticulture and leisure areas for the hospital’s residents.