Nepal is amidst a severe humanitarian crisis with the earthquake killing more than 8,000 people and injuring more than 17,800. The government hospitals along with a few private hospitals have treated a number of earthquake victims free of cost despite limited resources. Many of the injured have had surgeries including implants on leg and spine. Due to the critical nature of the injuries, a number of patients will require rehabilitation for a few months before they can go about leading normal lives. Most of the hospitals in Nepal have limited capabilities of handling mass casualties. In addition to this, they have to handle their regular inpatients along with an increasing flow of outpatients. To make matters worse, the recent earthquake has damaged a few hospital buildings further limiting the capacities of the hospitals to accommodate and rehabilitate critically injured patients. In view of this, Neuro Foundation Nepal (NFN) – a non-governmental organization with technical and financial support from Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied Sciences (ANIAS) has set up a temporary centre at the premises of KIST Medical College and Hospital at Imaldole, Patan with the purpose of rehabilitating the victims of the earthquake free of cost for the period of six months.
The main objective of the centre is to rehabilitate patients (victims of the earthquake) with different forms of injuries and disabilities free of cost for a period of six months. The centre will be open to all types of patients (earthquake victims) requiring short term and long term rehabilitation. The centre will operate 100 beds. The centre will provide accommodation, food and medication to the patients. The patients will be treated by way of physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, panchakarma, yoga and meditation. By integrating spiritual aspect, the proposed program aims to use holistic approach to patient care for the development of physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the patients.
After six months, NFN will start a permanent centre will be open to all patients requiring rehabilitation and will charge nominal fees for its sustainability.