NepalAbility's work is rooted in professional partnerships with clinical staff at the hospitals serving Nepal's rural regions.
Read on to learn more about these sites, and the vital care they provide for their patients
Read on to learn more about these sites, and the vital care they provide for their patients
The United Mission Hospital Tansen
Tansen
The United Mission Hospital Tansen (UMHT) was founded in 1959, and is located up the road from Tansen, the district headquarters and commercial centre of Palpa District. It lies in the middle hills of Nepal, at an altitude of 1320 metres, about 300 km west of Kathmandu. UMHT is a general hospital that employs approximately 400 Nepali staff, (including trainees) and 12 mission appointees from six different countries, who work mostly as doctors in teaching or other support roles. The staff are grouped under the major divisions of Nursing, Medical, Administration, and the two newer divisions of Community Health and Pastoral Care.
NepalAbility is proud of its longstanding partnership with UMHT. One of our contributions has been to help establish a 4-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit for people with neurological conditions. Part of this support has been a multiyear commitment towards the salary of a physiotherapist, physiotherapy assistant and peer support worker for the unit, as well as ongoing teaching and mentorship in the areas of stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injuries and other neurological conditions. The goal is to help staff provide the specialized care needed to support this unique unit.
NepalAbility has more recently established a fund to help families in need of access to rehabilitative care, both as inpatients and outpatients; this includes therapy and equipment, and visits from occupational and physical therapists to their rural homes, for a home, equipment, and care-needs assessment.
Green Pastures Hospital
Pokhara
Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara (about a day’s drive west of Kathmandu) was started by the International Nepal Fellowship as a central hub for providing treatment and care for people living with leprosy. It has long since expanded to include a variety of other clinical populations, such as care for people living with spinal cord injuries, reconstructive surgery, palliative care, and specialist ear care.
Annually, GPH serves approximately 11,000 patients and remains the largest leprosy and rehabilitation hospital in Western Nepal. With 40 dedicated rehab beds (20 for leprosy patients and 20 for patients with other forms of disability) it remains the go-to for referrals from other sites affiliated with INF, as well as hospitals and local partner organizations in the region.
NepalAbility’s involvement with Green Pastures Hospital began in 2006 when the team first travelled to Nepal to complete a needs assessment. Over the years, our longstanding partnership has included co-hosting many conferences, workshops, wheelchair clinics and other learning opportunities, as well as strategic planning as the Centre continues to grow and evolve.
At both UMHT and GPH, NepalAbility has been delighted to respond to the needs of both organizations in the form of donated equipment (E.g., wheelchair cushions, splinting equipment, wound care supplies, and catheters). Even more importantly, NepalAbillity has dedicated funds for locally made or sourced equipment including adapted wheelchairs, bathroom equipment and walking aids.
New Life Psychiatric Rehab Centre
Tansen
The NLPRC is a community living facility , a short drive downhill from UMHT, whose residents are in need of long-term mental health support. The Centre offers vocational support and mental health treatment, in a supported living environment with dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Over the past 10 years, NepalAbility has helped them as they work to made inroads in the massive unmet needs in mental health in Nepal.
Spinal Injury Rehab Centre
Sanga
SIRC opening in 2002 to help address the significant lack of facilities to support people living with spinal cord injury. Twenty years later, SIRC is a leader in Nepal for SCI rehabilitation, and has expanded to a new facility with over 50 beds. It is a centre for rehabilitation, vocational training and community support for individuals following spinal cord injury, and has started to expand to provide rehabilitation for some individuals following a stroke or brain injury.
NepalAbility is just one of many global organizations who have partnered with SIRC, and over the years, has visited the Centre on a number of occasions.
NepalAbility is just one of many global organizations who have partnered with SIRC, and over the years, has visited the Centre on a number of occasions.
Learn more about SIRC
https://sisn.org.np/
https://sisn.org.np/