medical services

The sub health post with limited facilities and insufficient medical supplies is the only health institute providing medical services to rural people. Paramedical personnel (Community Medicine Assistant) are the main staff in charge of the health post. A maternal and child health worker (MCH) and a community health worker (CHW) are other staffs who support the clinic. Female community health volunteers (FCHVs) support in health service delivery to the community as it is needed. All these people are trained in basic health, at basic health courses. These people (staffs and volunteers) are able to provide just the most basic health services. There is no doubt this centre is not sufficient for the fulfilment of the community’s health needs. In spite of the insufficient resources it has an important role in the healthcare system of Nepal. Despite the health post being insufficient, rural people are benefitted from this centre to get basic healthcare. Otherwise people have to travel a long distance to get appropriate treatment, or to get a medical doctor consultation. It is inevitable that the health centre could play a vital role in the community health development, if it had qualified human resources with sufficient logistic supplies.
 
VIN- Volunteers Initiative Nepal has been working in rural Nepal through Integrated Community Health Project (ICHP) for community health development and strengthening the health system since 2010. It is designed to improve sustainable basic health conditions of community people. It has five sub projects: support to health centre; awareness on health, hygiene and sanitation; waste management; and school health programme.
 
VIN is providing regular support to the health centre at the community. VIN supports by having qualified human resources (educated staff), giving materials & medicine supply, upgrading facilities and making publicity around the health post. VIN has managed a regular doctor duty along with qualified international volunteers and a local nursing staff.  The building is modified to different chambers, for a variety of services. It is supplied with dressing materials, gloves, dressing instruments, BP instruments and many more. In partnership with VDC- village development committee, pathology lab has been installed. Now, the health centre is providing pathology lab services too. The medical team from VIN has developed a health management information system and contributed to maintaining the well documented information system of the centre. VIN has been good at networking at the community, and has publicized the facilities provided by the health centre.
 
In the period of 3 years 8098 people have been benefited from the VIN supported clinic. International volunteers have contributed a lot in order to get the medical supplies. Recently, Bente a Danish volunteer have managed to have 1, 60,000 NRs. donated by the Danish Red Cross to get medical supplies. Also other volunteers are supporting the poor people to get treatment and operation. Tom and Nicole, Dutch volunteers supported with around 1, 40,000 NRs. In order to get a little child with ectopic bladder operated for the damaging condition. As the clinic has expanded its services and facilities, recently government has upgraded the health post and has added staff and supplies.
 
It has brought significant changes in the physical infrastructure and services at the health centre. People are aware of getting medical treatment rather than visiting a traditional healer. There have been an increased number of people visiting the clinic from neighbouring villages. This clinic has proved to be the most popular clinic in the region. Also the benefitted people are happy for the services provided by the clinic. It is proved by this statement from one of the visitors at the clinic: “I am impressed by the services from clinic. All staffs are polite and friendly. I could get my blood test here. I would like to thank Dr. Laxmi and VIN” Radhika Gajurel, Tinppiple