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“Initially it was chaotic and difficult when the earthquake happened as we had to take care of both the admitted as well as new patients”, Dr. Saju Pradhan, Medical Director of the hospital shared. After the earthquake, hundreds of people thronged to the hospital for treatment. Since, Saturday 190 people have been admitted at the Nepal Orthopedic Hospital while 1071 victims have received treatment of which 582 are male and 489 female. According to the hospital, 45 percent of the people came from Kathmandu valley, 48 from Sindhupalchowk and the rest from Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavre and Dhading among others.

Dr. Saju Pradhan, Medical Director,NOC

 

Hospital's main entrance

Managing Resources Locally

Dr. Pradhan said, “We fixed all the old beds so that the patients do not have to sleep on the floor. We hired some doctors, nurses as well as mobilized volunteers immediately. Only one person was allowed to stay with the patient to manage the crowd. The staff did all they can by providing service without a break.” He told that Operation Theatre (OT) was shifted at the emergency ward in the ground floor as the patients didn’t agree to go OT which is situated at the third floor. Till now, the medical expenses have been around 1 million rupees, implants expenses also 1 million and food to the patients and family members about 300,000. All the services provided to the earthquake victims are free of cost. OPD services at the hospital have been resumed from Tuesday. The hospital has been providing free admission and consultation services. “We have also decided to provide free services to the patients of road accidents”, Pradhan added. The hospital has the capacity of only 100 beds and therefore providing services outside under the tents.

A Survivor's Story

Pemba Sherpa (60) is one of the survivors of the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25. Sherpa was buried under the debris of her house in Gulfu Bhanjyang of Nuwakot - one of the most affected areas. She was rescued with the help of locals on the same day but had obtained spinal injuries. Recalling the terrifying moment, Sherpa said, “I was in pain and was expecting first aid from the Nepal Army, I thought they would airlift me, but nothing as such happened. I had to suffer from pain for almost three days”. As there was no sign of even basic health facility, the family members decided to bring her to the capital. They called an ambulance from Helambu, but the journey was not easy. Walking with shaking grounds as the aftershocks were continuously occurring, the relatives carried Pemba for more than four hours to reach the ambulance. On, Tuesday 28th April, three days after the disaster Sherpa was brought to Jorpati-based Nepal Orthopedic Hospital. She is currently undergoing treatment free of cost. The doctors informed that she is recovering well.

Cautious Efforts Towards Hygiene and Sanitation Maintenance

Realising the potential danger of epidemic outbreak, the hospital has been providing safe drinking water and has mobilized some people for ensuring cleanliness.  On the third day after the disaster, a Chinese Sanitizing Team had visited the hospital and had sanitized the whole building. The hospital has also mobilized some volunteers and outsourced few nurses and 2 doctors specifically for hygiene and sanitation maintenance. All the hospital staff are properly oriented and encouraged to maintain proper cleanliness and hygiene in the hospital premises. In order to solve the issue of drinking water, the hospital has been fulfilling its demand through the water tankers and getting the water purified through Ultra High Filtration Unit.

 

 

 

 

 

Hospital staff cleaning hospital waste           Notice on using dustbin to throw waste

Support to the hospital

Various humanitarian agencies like Helping Hands, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from UAE and have provided medical supplies as assistance to the earthquake victims. UNICEF has also been providing tents for treatment of earthquake victims. Chief of Policy Planning and International Cooperation Division (PPICD) of Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Padam Bahadur Chand paid a visit to the hospital and expressed his commitment on behalf of the ministry to provide support to the hospital as it has been doing some exemplary work providing free services to the needy.

Treatment for the earthquake victims conducted outside due to lack of beds with the support of UNICEF      

Medical supplies gifted by Helping Hands to the hospital for the quake victims

Paving the Way

Dr. Pradhan said, “This is an example how to work with least resources calmly and utilize it. Nevertheless I am happy for the fact that we did not compromise on the quality of service during this grave crisis”.

Contributors: Dr. Sushil Baral, Sudeep Uprety and Kritagya Regmi