2018 trip to Nepal- Project Aasha

Journey to Bung on the bumpy roads. They managed to build a straight road from Kathmandu to book but 1/3 of the journey is on this un-tarred road

Bung and Biratnagar on the map

Our December 2018 trip was by far the biggest group we had, with 14 LKC students, 4 Physiotherapy students, 2 Physiotherapist, an Ultrasonographer, 2 Ophthalmologist, an Emergency Physician, an Orthopaedic Senior Resident, and 2 Surgical residents.

Part of the group as we set off from Singapore Changi Airport. We even had a team member joining us from Malaysia- truly global indeed!!!

The group split into 2, where some went to Biratnagar to conduct the cataract eye camp and review how we can help with the ophthalmology services there. The other group headed to Bung to continue with our work that we started off for the past 2 years.

This time, with a bigger Physiotherapy group, there was a greater emphasis on Physiotherapy assessment, management and teaching. There was even a chance to introduce pelvic floor exercises to the midwives, which was something new to them. We used this chance to incorporate physiotherapy education into the first aid classes for primary and secondary school children. There is no harm in starting young and prevention is indeed better than cure.

The Physiotherapists assessing and managing the patients

The students practicing stretching exercises taught by the physiotherapist to help prevent musculoskeletal problems

Within our clinic, we managed to include an ultrasound room where most pregnant mothers came excitedly to scan their babies. Our Ultrasonographer, Li Hui single handedly scanned everyone and we used this chance to give antenatal advice to the mothers and emphasise on the importance of antenatal checkups and to deliver in a hospital/ birthing centre rather then at home.

Ultrasonographer at work

We expanded out first aid teaching to include more topics, more smaller group teaching with a chance for hands on practice and to more schools. We also introduced menstrual health, which proved to be a challenging topic to talk about. But the female translators helped a great deal to break the ice and get the students to discuss controversial and uncomfortable topics surrounding menstrual health.

Some of the girls posing for a photo after menstrual health education

Teaching first aid skills such as managing fractures and sprains

The eye group made exciting developments- besides the cataract camps, discussion started on how to improve The eye services within the hospital with the use of a database and telemedicine. The visit to the blind school inspired the students to think about eye screening in the children population and how this can be improved in Nepal. It also got them thinking about collaboration with the blind school  perhaps empower them with more skills through training and education.

The eye team from Singapore and Nepal

School for the blind children

To greater heights with collaboration & teamwork

Another year and another exciting trip. Each trip helps us understand the people more and gives us new ideas on how we can help improve the system.

Overseas community involvement trip is not just about service provision... it is about understanding people across your borders, seeing a new system, adapting and working in an unfamiliar place, being innovative, exploring and most importantly.... understanding humanity and working as one towards a common vision.

The 2 teams united back at Kathmandu

Here is a brief video of the trip.