NHEDF

While climbing to clean her home that year, Ramba fell from the second floor and broke her spine. She was rushed to the local hospital, but unfortunately the necessary treatment wasn’t available and she was transferred to Nepalgunj hospital over 100 kilometers away.

Ramba Oli, 23 years old Home area: Dang, Tulsipu

Doctors operated on her spine and sent her back to her village shortly after. She was bedridden for 6 months and wasn’t making a strong recovery so her husband started neglecting her. Sadly, after a year he left her and told her to go back to her parents.

A year later her mother died and her father married another woman. Ramba’s stepmother didn’t show her any sympathy and started to beat her. She had to leave the house and started to rent a room with her younger sister.

For three years she was completely bedridden and did not go to the hospital for further treatment. Her brother and sister decided to help motivate her to move. They started moving her legs and after about seven months, she was able to take a few steps. After a year of help from her family she was able to walk again!

With herself and family to support she had to look for work. She found work in a textile company in Agra and travelled two days per month to reach the site. A major part of her work was to bring recruits from her village to work there. For every two people she recruited, she earned 10,000 Nepalese rupees which covered rent, her sister’s education fees and her own education fees.

Despite needing to work she stayed devoted to her studies and two years ago, she completed 12th grade – a highly commendable achievement!

A few months ago she started feeling weakness in her legs and began to worry. She looked advice on what to do and finally met someone who also had spinal injuries. They told her to go to Kathmandu to see an organization called the Nepal Disability Fund (NDF). NDF is an organization that provides physiotherapy support to the disabled in Kathmandu. Although she didn’t really know what physiotherapy was and she didn’t know anyone in Kathmandu, Ramba took a big risk and decided to come to the city. She along with a few family members and friends worked very hard to collect 25,000 rupees to make the 14+ hour trip to Kathmandu.

They found a room to rent for 7000 a month in a cheap hotel. The manager allowed them to cook in the room which was a cost-effective gift.

At NDF a physiotherapist assessed Ramba and told her if she continued rigid physiotherapy sessions for another 3-4 months, she would be walking strongly again. NDF charged them NPR 50 per day for physiotherapy. For a month they were able to pay that money and travel every day from the hotel but soon it ran out.

In desperation, Ramba took the advice of someone she met in Kathmandu and went to try thermal therapy, which unfortunately turned out to be a scam. After trying this therapy for two days, she burned the skin on her pelvis and had a huge wound. This was a terrible setback and she had no money to dress her newly acquired wounds.

Mr. Gopal Aryal, a patient they met at NDF told them about NHEDF and asked them to call us. After hearing her story we allowed her to stay with us and provided wound dressing while continued physiotherapy at our clinic.

We hope her wounds from the burns heal and that we can give her the strength in her legs and the training to continue her healing journey.

Sarvajit was living a happy life with his mother, wife and two children in Salyan, mid-west Nepal before the accident. He and his wife were running a successful small grocery shop, generating enough income to cover his son’s monthly tuition fees and expenses. Two years ago he got the opportunity to go to Malaysia to work as a laborer. This was great news for his family as it would finally allow him to build up some savings. After working for several months he was successfully able to send money back to his family, a dream that motivated him to follow the work opportunity.

Sarvajit, 40 years old

After working for 18 months, Sarvajit experienced an unfortunate accident when he fell from a three-story building, breaking his arm and pelvis. He was rushed to the hospital and operated on, remaining in the hospital and receiving treatment for one month before his company bought him a ticket to return home. They told him that they had spent all the money allotted for his treatment and could do nothing more. Without any financial support he was sent back home Nepal.

Upon arriving back home to Nepal, he was first admitted and stayed in Kritipur Hospital for one month before being transferred to Kathmandu Model Hospital. Around this time, he started feeling numbness in his left leg, eventually progressing to the point where he could not feel his leg at all. After spending one more month there he was transferred to Manmohan Cardiac Hospital.  The doctor referred him to Ortho department. After seeing all the previous reports they decided to operate on his leg and pelvis once again.

After spending three months in different hospitals Sarvajit spent around 12 lakh Nepalese rupees or US $12,000. He took loans from relatives, friends and villagers to cover his treatment but is still not able to pay them back.

Expressing his worries, Sarvajit says “People come everyday to ask for money. I only have 1 ropani (= 508 sq.m ) land worth 3 lakh (US $3,000). If I sell it, my family and I will not have any place to live. It’s better if I die. I have become a big burden to my family.”

After he completed his Ortho treatment, they transferred him to the Neuro department for further treatment. Although his bones were healed, he could not feel anything in his left leg and was in extreme pain. The Neuro department carried on with his treatment, discharged him from the hospital, and asked him to come every week for follow up. Since they’d spent all their money, living in this expensive city was not possible for him any longer, so he decided to return to his village.

For one month he lived solely on the support of a high dose pain killer. But after a month he could not bear the pain and decided to come to Kathmandu after hearing about a special Neuro hospital in the capital. The hospital admitted him, started his treatment and asked him to do physiotherapy daily. But after only 12 days they completely ran out of money and went back to their village once again.

He stayed in his village for an additional three months while living with the intense pain until eventually going back for follow up at Manmohan Cardio hospital in Kathmandu. This time he and the few family members who accompanied him decided to live in the lobby of the hospital until his treatment was done. After meeting with the doctor he was told to do physiotherapy daily, but the hospital wouldn’t allow he and his family to sleep in the lobby. They had to find something else, and without more money he would not get the physiotherapy needed. 

Luckily one of the nurses at the hospital, Mrs. Chandrika Karmacharya, knows the NHEDF family very well. She coordinated with us and we happily admitted him. Now he is receiving good care at NHEDF, including three meals per day, nursing care, and most important, physiotherapy. All of this is free for Sarvajit and his supportive family. He also receives continuous follow up care at the hospital when needed, including medical tests such as ultrasound and blood samples, all of which NHEDF covers the cost.

To add to his situation, we recently found out that he has a blood clot in his vein, so he might need a major corrective surgery. We are currently consulting with doctors from the US in order to best determine how ot move ahead.  

What he needs now are the finances to continue his treatment at the hospital. The costs are ongoing, not one lump sum. We are not sure how much the next treatments will cost but hope to continue to support him. 

Although he gets the available treatment at NHEDF free of cost through he also needs significant financial support to continue his treatment at hospital. Being a small organization, we are unable to help to continue his treatment at the hospital without further financial help.

Udahya’s mother Sita worked as a construction worker in order to raise and support her two daughters and son alone after her husband died at the age of 35. When Udahya, the youngest child was 17 years old he stopped his studies and started working to support his mother and family. Sadly, Udahya had an accident three months ago when he was hit by a local bus while coming back from his friend’s marriage ceremony. At that time, the transport company agreed to pay for all of Udahya’s treatment.

Udhaya, 19 years old

Udhaya was admitted to Butwal Hospital where they operated on his head and kept him in the intensive care unit for one month. After his condition failed to improve the hospital advised his mother to take him back home, but Sita refused to give up. She insisted to send him to Kathmandu for further treatment.

He was kept at a hospital in Kathmandu for 20 days at a daily cost of around 1 lakh/US $1000. The cost of treatment started to became very high at which point the transportation company refused to pay any more for his care and treatment. Once again it was advised that Sita take Udhaya back to their home village.

Ongoing treatment Udahya needs continuous oxygen support and as a result of poor treatment at the hospital where he was admitted, he developed massive bed sores. His mother could not handle this at home and pleaded with the transportation company and doctors to transfer him to a government hospital instead. After initially refusing to admit Udahya due to his deteriorating condition, the National Trauma Center offered him a bed.

After keeping him for 20 more days the hospital asked Sita to take her son to a rehabilitation center so that he could receive physiotherapy and bed sore management. Problems persisted when she couldn’t find any rehabilitation center who was willing to help her with the little money she had. Existing rehab centers are more expensive than private hospitals in Kathmandu, so she was left with only one option -- to take her son back home and watch him die.

Just when Sita felt out of hope one of the doctors at the center who knew of NHEDF contacted our shelter to ask us if we could take in Udahya. As we are a small organization we do not have the proper setup for all medical needs, so we also faced difficult decisions about possible care. We asked the hospital to wait for few days while we prepared for Udhaya.

Udahya’s recovery journey Within two days we managed to prepare an oxygen machine and a back-up oxygen tank. With preparations in place, we welcomed Udhaya and Sita happily into our shelter. They have been with us nearly three weeks and we are proud that Udhaya’s bed sores are healing very well. We are trying our best to wean him out of oxygen support. He is getting the physiotherapy support he needs and at no cost to him or his family. Eating the proper diet that he needs, we are happy to see that he is also gaining back some weight.

Budhibahadur was working at a factory in Malaysia when his left leg got trapped in a machine. He was taken to a hospital for treatment but after some time the expenses became too much for his poor family. He used the support money provided by his company and returned to Kathmandu for continued treatment.

Budhibahadur Dhakal, 37 years old

After three months of treatment at Manmohan hospital an infection in his damaged leg became so severe that the leg had to be cut away at five different points above his knee. Adding to an already difficult situation, the blood circulation in his second leg became poor and infection set in, resulting in removal of the leg.

Budhibahadur’s journey

Budhibahadurwas born in 1981 in Siranchowk, a remote village in Gorkha, a region hit hard by the 2015 earthquakes. He used to live with his mother and father, both farmers. He got married in 2011 but his wife left him after his first amputation in 2014.

Although he continues to receiving ongoing treatment in Kathmandu, his family is still in Gorkha. He spends his days at our Shelter by weaving sweaters and women’s clothing. He says that he feels better about the treatment he is receiving now but that deep down he knows that he will not get support throughout the rest of his life.

NHEDF sees the human behind the medical need and will provide ongoing treatment and care however possible, but in order to continue funding the expensive treatment that he needs we humbly ask for financial help from kind supporters like you. Please consider donating to help Budhibahadur on his recovery journey and to provide him a better life outcome than once imagined. 

Khemraj Gurung was admitted to Green City Hospital in Kathmandu after he slipped from a ladder while painting at his landlord’s house, resulting in both of his legs being severely fractured. Coming from a poor economical background he couldn’t afford the growing expenses at the hospital and consequently could not continue treatment. Luckily, he found out about NHEDF from his fellow villagers and was recently admitted to our Shelter.

Khemraj Gurung

Although his care is progressing, the impact of his injuries extends beyond his physical health. He is unable to work and make a living during the estimated two months of recovery.

Khemraj was born in Gorkha, Nepal. He is unmarried and used to live with his mother and big brother before moving to Kathmandu in search of a job. He was hired as a garbage collector in Nagarpalika of Tokha Basundhara. Coming from a remote area and a weak economic background he is worried about his future and his ability to make a living. If not given the support needed it’s unlikely that he can continue to live his life as he once did. Please considering helping Khemraj on his journey to recovery and a chance at a rewarding life.

Six-year old Himal and his family come from the North Indian state of Himanchal Pardesh in the Himilayas where his parents worked as laborers. He, his brother, and a total of six family members lived together in a two-room wooden house provided by an organization.

One evening three months ago the family was preparing dinner when an electric circuit experienced a shortage and caught their house on fire. They did not have time to think or deliberate and fled the home. Tragically, Himal’s mother, brother, and a small child did not survive. They were rushed to Chandigarh Hospital to be treated but were discharged after they ran out of savings and were encouraged to find another hospital. They did not know about any other place to turn so they decided to bring Jay, the father and Himal to Nepal. With the help of their community they admitted both to a local hospital but it soon became realized that they would need to seek out help elsewhere as skin grafting services were not available where they were. 

Their financial status was very troubling and they could not afford to go to Kathmandu where such services were available. Instead they stayed at the hospital, helpless and out of money to fund their medical needs. Some of the hospital staff paid their medicine bills and the hospital didn’t charge them for some time. There they stayed for 14 days searching for help.

Journey to NHEDF

One of our volunteers, Ms. Usha Adhikari who is studying her BN in Nepalgunj came across the family in their helpless condition. She shared with NHEDF about their situation, and we knew that we had to help coordinate to get them to our shelter. On April 12, 2018 Himal took a flight to Kathmandu and his father came by bus. Today we house and feed them, apply regular dressings to Himal’s wounds and provide him nursing care. Unfortunately it is not enough. NHEDF needs the help of supporters like you who can help fund his continued medical needs, surgeries, and rehabilitation. 

NHEDF would like to present Susanne Friedrich, a physiotherapist and neurological specialist who will join our team from April 14-21, 2018.

Susanne is trained in Germany and specializes in working with children. She works with two main techniques to treat patients with neurological problems, including the Vojta technique to stimulate natural patterns of movement and the Bobath approach to promote motor learning. Her aim is to contribute her knowledge and experience to support and improve patient rehabilitation outcomes.

Those who would like to take advantage of her services are welcome to message us via our contact page to book a time.

Sunmaya was five years old when she was trapped under a landslide triggered by the massive earthquake in 2015. She was living in a small farm house with her grandparents far from her home village. After the accident her grandparents kept her in their home for three days without any medicine or proper treatment until finally seeking out help in a nearby village. After five days she was rescued by a helicopter and transferred to a Kathmandu hospital. Due to multiple injuries doctors told the family that they could not properly treat Sunmaya, referring her instead to a trauma center under the care of Russian doctors and surgeons. 

With little hope of survival, they went ahead with operating on Sunmaya, working on her head, legs and both hands. Brave Sunmaya cheated death and survived! Unfortunately due to overcrowding in the facility, Sunmaya was forcefully discharged before she had time to fully recover. With fresh wounds from her injuries there was no place for her in the big city. Luckily doctors at the hospital who’d heard about NHEDF and managed to transfer her to our shelter where her recovery journey would begin… 

Sunmaya’s grandmother lives in the Hill region of Nepal and could not speak Nepali. Because she was too old to properly take care of Sunmaya in Kathmandu we asked her to send someone who could support her. After returning to her village, the grandmother sent Sunmaya’s older sister, Premchoji who was 8 years old. This was a terrible situation for us. We did not know she was so young! But we kept both of them and started taking care of them. They’ve become an integral part of the NHEDF family. 

Sunmaya & Premchoji

Within a one-year period Sunmaya went through 14 different surgeries before finally becoming healthy enough to be discharged. Since her grandparents are very old and not able to build a proper house for the girls to live in we knew that we could not send them back. We later found out that they had not been attending school back home and that there was no one else in the village who could take care of them if they returned. We knew it wouldn’t be wise to send them back. Another difficult situation for NHEDF. 

Our Chairman, Mr. Samrat Basnet started searching for organizations that could take in Sunmaya and Premchoji, support them in their studies, and help them to have a better life. He kept searching for many months but was unable to find a good one that he could trust. Finally, with the help of many good friends, he found them a home at House with Heart run by American Beverly Bronson. After many meetings the sisters were admitted to this beautiful organization.

Premchoji & Sunmaya

Sunmaya with Founder & Chairman, Samrat Basnet

Now Sunmaya is studying at class 3 and her sister Premchoji at class 5, and both are doing great! They’ve made encouraging progress in their education. We are proud not only for having saved Sunmaya’s life but also her future.

Sunmaya & Premchoji

NHEDF would like to thank Beverly Bronson, Scoop Anthony and Greg Davenport for their support in providing Sunmaya and Premchoji the chance at a better life. We wish both girls the best of luck ahead in their future!

With 25,000 Nepalese Rupees (24 USD) in support from the municipality and her personal savings, Goma came to Kathmandu for treatment. The hospitals did not admit her, instead discharging her after she received surgery. Her wounds were still too big to be able to safely return to her home village, so she stayed in the hospital lobby for three days along with her husband and little son. 

Goma, 42 years old

She had to pay 500 NPR for her dressings and few hundred more for her medicine. This amount may not seem like much compared to USD or other currencies but is a significant amount for the average Nepali coming from a rural area. A sweeper working at the hospital could not stand to see her in this situation any longer and allowed Goma to stay with her. Humanity is not dead.

The staff member was living with her husband in a rented room outside of the hospital, sharing her room with Goma for one week. Within just one week Goma had spent all her money on her wound dressings. She begged the hospital over and over to please consider providing the care for free, but who would listen to her?

One of our patient caretakers whom we send to the hospital along with other patients to provide care and support found Goma desperately in the hpsital doorway in desperate need of help. She cried to everyone who approached her, but those passing by seemed too busy to listen to her problems. But we listened. Our caretaker called us from the hospital and after talking to Goma we knew that we could not say no. She came and joined the NHEDF family.

After two months of hard work and determination by Goma and our nursing team, her wounds have healed and she has made a strong recovery! Through the use of the right dressings and methods her wounds healed quickly – We didn’t only treat Goma’s external wounds but tried to heal her internal wounds too.

At the time of discharge we provided her some money for transportation to reach her home safely and a thank you letter to the village office, sharing about Goma’s care and why she needed to stay with us for some months in the capital city of Kathmandu.

This is NHEDF. We are not just an organization but a home and supporting family for many people like Goma.

Read more patient journeys and please consider donating to help support the rehab journey of others. Our patients are so grateful for your support.

Bibadari was admitted to NHEDF’s Shelter in March 2017, nearly two years after she sustained injuries to both her legs as a result of the first 2015 earthquake in Nepal. When the wounds to her feet and toes became infected and then gangrenous, she was neglected by her family and did not receive any treatment whatsoever. She was found living in a stable in her village by The Karuna Foundation and her feet were in such a terrible state people were amazed she survived.

Bibadari was brought to Kathmandu for treatment and eventually discharged but her healing wounds would require daily dressings. Fortunately, she was referred to NHEDF’s Shelter for nursing care, support and physiotherapy. Last October she was transferred back to hospital to undergo additional surgeries. Now her wounds are healed, her rehabilitation journey complete, and she’s been returned home!

A huge thank you goes to team NHEDF for their wonderful care; The Karuna Foundation in Nepal who helped pay for her treatment; and other patients’ family members who agreed to look after her, accompany her to the hospital and care for her, as is customary in Nepal. Unlike other patients, Bibadari did not have a caretaker with her. NHEDF is so grateful that patients at the Shelter, along with their families, treat each other like family and help each travel the long road to rehabilitation together and our patients are so grateful for your support. 

At the age of 16, Parbati was caught in a landslide and swept into a river, resulting in two badly broken legs. She spent 300 days in the hospital before being transferred to us at NHEDF.

Parbati Bohora, 17 years old

Parbati comes from a poor family in Doti, located in the remote regions of Western Nepal. When she had her accident there was no ambulance near to transport her to proper care. Medical care in Nepal is not free nor covered by Medicare, and Parbati’s family could not afford the adequate treatment needed for their daughter.

Her village organized a donation that allowed her to visit the hospital. After just ten days the money ran out. Her father had to make a choice – either take his daughter home in the state she was in; two fractured legs, open wounds, and unable to walk, or sell the small amount of property that the family owned in order to continue treatment. He chose the latter, selling the land that had been in the family for generations Parbati has now had seven operations and requires ongoing nursing care, wound management, care of her external fixators and physiotherapy.

The consequences for Parbati’s family as a result of their injury are many:

Parbati’s father is 70 years old. The family now has no land, no income, no livestock and no ability to grow their own food.

Their small two roomed house was badly damaged in the monsoon rain season and is no longer habitable. They have no money to repair it.

As Parbati’s father is caring for Parbati at the Shelter and their house is now uninhabitable, Parbati’s elderly mother has now gone to live with her sister in another village.

Parbati was responsible for the family’s livestock. The family’s two goats and cow that she was herding when the accident happened were been sold. They have no money to replace them.

Parbati has missed two years of school and can no longer continue with her education.

NHEDF is trying hard to save her leg so that Parbati will be able to work as a laborer and support her family. 

If she loses her leg she will be unlikely to work or marry. Being uneducated with poor prospects of employment or marriage in the event of permanent disability means she will struggle for the rest of her life.

Parbati’s story is not unique. It is replicated all around Nepal many times every single day. What happens to Parbati in the future will depend on the generosity of NHEDF, our donors and generous supporters. Parbati’s story is not unique. It is witnessed around Nepal each and every day.

You cannot directly the diffulties that face our country but you can help change Parbati’s life by making a donation or sponsoring the wages of one of our team’s medical professionals. 

Donate by visiting our GoFundMe and typing Parbati in the comments along with your donation.

Living life in poverty while also hoping for adequate medical treatment is a huge challenge for the general public of Nepal. If a patient is poor he or she may get free treatment, but that does not mean that everything is free. Surgery and bed charges will be covered but any needed implants, consumables and medicines must be covered out-of-pocket. Sometimes such costs are so expensive that many cannot afford them and are left to die. For others, their families must sell their homes, property, land or any other assets that might cover the financial burden. 

Keshar, 16 years old

In Keshar's case, his family had to make tough decisions. "How could we possibly leave Keshar to die?" 

What he needs for surgery: 

Debridement of his left femur with excision of sinus tracts and antibiotic bead insertion with consumables: $200

Bilateral Hip Replacement Implant (uncemented ceramic on poly): $5000

Consumables, medicine and food: $2000

Estimated total cost: $7200- $8000 

Please consider the lifelong consequences that Keshar will face if he is unable to receive this surgery. In the near future it will effect his spine, confining him to a bedridden life as a paraplegic.

You can help us in any way: cover the costs of the implant, medicines or consumables. If you need any further information please visit our Contact page, call us at +9851015746 or email us [email protected] 

A message from NHEDF Founder and Chairman, Mr. Samrat Basnet about the progress we have made and the challenges we face nearly 3 years since starting the clinic.

"It's been almost 3 years and NHEDF has continued in its aid work to support patients coming to Kathmandu seeking medical support. We have supported around 600 people in these 3 years. Starting from scratch and building up to the proper rehab center that we have today has been tough for us. But with the hope and support from many people, we have built our facility and are able to continue on our journey. (cont. below)

It's been almost 3 years and NHEDF has continued in its aid work to support patients coming to Kathmandu seeking medical support. We have supported around 600 people in these 3 years. Starting from scratch and building up to the proper rehab center that we have today has been tough for us. But with the hope and support from many people, we have built our facility and are able to continue on our journey.

We'd like to thank the many individuals and organizations who have motivated us to keep moving forward. Our target is to make a proper medical rehab center in Kathmandu. This is difficult but not impossible. Nepal really needs proper rehab centers in every part of the country, but right now we're starting with Kathmandu.

NHEDF coordinates with many different hospitals, doctors, and medical professionals to give a high level of care to those patients who are not able to do so by themselves. We can proudly say that our success rate is 80%.

We are not only trying to save a life, but also trying to save a family. Sometimes families unwillingly have to neglect their injured loved ones due to inability to finance proper and adequate care. Those in need are left to die.

Our mission is to save that life. 

Our patients come from remote villages to the busy city of Kathmandu where they don't know anyone and are unfamiliar with the way of life. We are there with them every step of the way.

We cry with our patients as well as celebrate their happy moments. We share their problems and they share ours. We don't have all of the facilities of a standard medical rehab center, but we have the heart to help.

We've learned to never give up even in hard times and we hold our patients' hands and encourage them to fight for their lives. There are times when we are tired and feel helpless but we don't give up. There are no other organizations like NHEDF in Nepal.

We believe that what we are doing is the best form of humanitarian work once can do. There are times when it is financially trying and we've felt like shutting our doors for good. But eeach time we get help from our funders, from people like you, we feel rejuvenated and we continue to find a way.

We need your help and are incredibly thankful for all we've received thus far.

Today we currently have 12 patients with us, most who also have an accompanying caregiver. Each patient has different health problems, needs, and levels of care. Some need major surgeries, some basic dressings, some physiotherapy.

We have further developed our physiotherapy facilities and have the equipment to provide basic physiotherapy exercises to patients. A few patients need very expensive surgeries like bilateral hip transplants. We are coordinating with prosthetic manufacturers to make the various types that our amputees need, a lengthy process that can take months The common thread between all NHEDF patients is their need to be in Kathmandu to survive. Until the government develops basic healthcare facilities all over the country, lack of adequate healthcare outside the big cities will continue.

We are dependent on your donations to survive and keep doing this work. We've helped over 600 patients and are hoping to continue to help even more, but we need funding from you. Our clinic is only possible through your kind donations. Please spread our message so that we can continue to support our current patients and help those who will come to our shelter in the future.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Samrat Basnet, NHEDF Founder and Chairman