Bhadaure Community

Wilderness in Nepal Pty Ltd (WIN) supports the Bhadaure Community in northern-central Nepal with our focus predominantly in the field of education until recently when a lack of health and medical facilities was identified. The village has approximately 200 households in the core area and the nearest health centre in Salyan with limited medical personnel and facilities is either an hour’s drive or a two- and half-hour hike. The Bhadaure village is mostly dependent on subsistence farming and is not connected with tourism and therefore economically disadvantaged. Hence, expansion of WIN’s support to fund health related projects in the village will greatly benefit over 2500 people in the immediate community and 12 nearby villages.

Health Post at Shree Bhadaure Secondary School

In 2022 WIN funded the establishment of a health post in a room at the Shree Bhadaure Secondary school, accessible by both school students and the general public. The establishment of this health post entailed purchasing furniture, equipment and medicines and employing a Health Assistant, Mr Chewang Sherpa. Since opening in this community led post in September 2022, he has fielded over 2000 patients, with an average of 10 patients per day. Chewang has refined processes over his time when servicing the community, including developing a patient prescription form for effective record keeping and patient management.

The most common health issues presented at the centre include Colds/Upper Respiratory Infections, Acid Peptic Disease, Cuts/Soft Tissue injuries, Hypertension, Dental issues, Diabetes, Fungal Infections, Fall/Back Injury, Urticaria/Allergy, Acute Gastroenteritis.

Patients suffering from serious ailments who need to be referred to hospitals encounter difficulties due to a lack of public transportation / ambulance service, therefore WIN Pty Ltd is seeking donations to help the community with the provision of a regional ambulance.

WIN Medical Camp held at Shree Bhadaure Secondary School October 2023

In October 2023 WIN organised and contributed to the funding of a fifth Health Camp in Nepal with Australian Medical and Auxiliary volunteers and Nepalese Medical staff. The local Kushedebu Public Health Mission (KPHM) were integral in the organisation of this latest health clinic venture. The 3-day camp was the first to be held in Bhadaure Village in the Annapurna region. Due to the lack of health based facilities in the region the Shree Bahadure School hosted the camp with classrooms converted into treatment rooms, a laboratory and a pharmacy.

Patients came from near and far - from as many as 12 nearby villages, many on foot and also by buses organised via the Annapurna Rural Municipality.

Over the 3 day period a total of 1227 patients were assessed, treated or referred with the provision of General Physicians, ENT, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Midwifery, Gynaecology and Dental. The scope of impact due to the services offered at the health camp was increased with the establishment of a pathology laboratory, ECG service, ultrasound service, and a well stocked pharmacy.

Feedback from the 25 Australian volunteers involved highlighted that it was a truly rewarding experience to have received such a formal and warm welcome from the Bhadaure community and to be able provide medical support to this remote district. Many in the group stayed on to experience adventure tourism and explore the incredible country of Nepal, from a tiger sighting down in Chitwan to incredible views of the Annapurna’s trekking to Panchase and Poon Hill, all expertly led by the local trek and expeditions company ‘Keep Walking Nepal’.