I am Dr. Satish Chandra Devkota. I have been working as a medical officer in government as well as private hospitals of Nepal for the last five years. Working in the remote areas and serving the people there had always been my duty. In my early days I didn’t have enough practical skills and experience to work in these areas with their limited resources. Now that I have worked for 5 years and have more experience, I felt I was ready for this opportunity. I went through a series of interviews and was finally selected. I was appointed by the president of the Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal. Ang Tshering Sherpa, for the job of medical doctor to work at the Health Post, Beni VDC, Solukhumbu district, a very remote area of Nepal. I thought it was the right time for me to say ‘Yes’. I grabbed the opportunity.

The Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal signed me for one year’s contract from 10th June 2007. I was ready to leave Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, where I had been working and living with my family for the last 5 years. I was pleased that my dream was coming true. According to our plan, I was supposed to leave Kathmandu by flying to Phaplu and then walk four or five hours to the health post where I would be working. But due to the continuous bad weather our flight was cancelled for 2 days and it was not known when the flights would begin again,so we finally chose the motor route to reach the health post which would take one day driving and 4 days walking. We hired a van from Kathmandu to Jiri. We stayed there that night and the next morning we started off and walked until we reached our destination. (Everyday about 6-8 hours of continuous walking climbing up, going down in rain and fog.) The route was very tough but yet very adventurous and exciting. Finally we reached our destination on 4th day. We were totally exhausted. We threw our bags and just lay down without even having the strength to wash. We were so tired that we fell asleep as soon as we lay down. It has been a few days since I have started working here. The health post lacks a lot of medications and equipment. There is lots of work to be done to run the centre smoothly.

I hope by the help of the local people, Kushudebu Public Health Mission and its supporters, the Health Post will be able to fulfill their desire and can make a difference.

Latest Doctor's Report

The only death was of a patient with Hypertension. The patient had not taken prescribed anti-hypertension medication for 2 days and had been drinking excessive alcohol. The patient died due to a Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA). The medical team was called and attempted Cardio- Pulmonary Resusitation to revive the patient, but the patient had already died.

• Four cases were referred to Phaplu Hospital. They were a case of Myocardial Infection, a leg fracture of mid shaft of femur and two (2) pregnancy cases (transverse lie & IVD)
• Eight (8) obstetric cases were attended to for home births. People in this area still need to be made aware that they should visit the health centre for a safer delivery.

1. Malignant hypertension
2. CVA (Cerebro Vascular Accident)
3. MI
4. Angina Pectoris
5. Epistaxsis
6. Acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma
7. ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
8. Pneumo-thorax
9. Peptic v'ces bleeding (Haematemesis & melena)
10. Acute Abdomen
11. Sub Acute intestinal obstruction
12. Diarrhoea and Severe dehydration
13. Acute Appendicitis
14. Acute Psychosis
15. Food Poisoning
16. Severe cuts (6)
17. Ankle Sprains (3)
18. Arm Fracture of mid shaft of humerus (1)
19. Arm Fracture of lower radius (1)
20. Middle finger dislocation (2)
21. F.B Left ear
22. Blunt object eye injury (2)
23. F.B Eyes
24. Childbirth Delivery Cases (8)

Statistics of emergency cases seen in Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal in last year. (June 10, 2007 to June 10, 2008)(Click here)

Old Doctor's Report

DATA OF PATIENTS SEEN FROM FISCAL YEAR 2064 SHRAWAN TO ASOJ, AT BENI HEALTH POST, EDINGMA-5, SOLUKHUMBU
(OPD Cases)

1. Total number of cases seen: 521 (In 75 working days i.e excluding 12 saturdays and 3 festivals)
2. Patient seen in an average: 6.94/day (OPD cases only)
3. Patient seen in an average: 173.66/month (OPD cases only)
4. New Cases: 512
5. Old Cases: 9
6. Male: 280
7. Female: 241
8. Under 5 Yrs of age: 111
9. Over 5 Yrs of age: 410
10. Over 60 Yrs of age: 116
11. Local Patients (Patients within VDC Beni-5): 231
12. Patients outside the village (other villages): 256
13. Patients from other dictricts: 21
14. Patients from foreign countires: 13
15. Referred Cases: 3
16. Most common cases seen in OPD: Acid peptic disease, Hypertension, Artherits, Oral Cavity Problems (Apthous ulcer, gingivitis, geographic toungue, gum hyperplasia etc)
17. Systemic distribution of cases seen: a) Digestive system b) Caudio - Vasculas system c) Skeleto-motes system(connective tissue disorcles) d)Respiratory system e) Dewatological system f)Centre Newous system g) vrogemtial system h) Eudocrinal system

Doctor's Comment :
Most common diease (mentioned above) seen in opd are medically related to the culture and life style of sherpa community.

The referred three cases from opd were: one was the case of suspected pulmonary tuberculosus which was sent for further investigation, second was the case of B/L contract, refeared for cataractectory and third was the case of haemorrhoid, referred for haemorrhoidectomy.

EMERGENCY CASES SEEN IN LAST THREE MONTHS:
(These cases were seen in off duty hours)

1. Total cases seen: 10
2. Treated in health post: 2
3. Home service: 8
4. Referred: 1
5. Loatality: 1
6. Recover rate: %
7. Cases seen were : Normal delivery(1), Gastric ulcer with severe abdominal pain(1), Acid peptic disease and abdominal pain(3), Chromic alcholism and pectal hypertension(1), Eye injury(1), pneumonia(2), Congestive candiac failure (1)

Doctor's Comment:
The referred case was the case of chromic alcoholism and pental hypertension( Ascites, melona, haematemesis) recurrent seizure, not responding to inj diazepaur (i.m and i.v) and inj phenopecbitone. The case expired on the way to higher medical center.

DATA OF FREE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO MONKS AT THUPTEN CHOLING MONASTERY ON 27TH SEPT 2007.

1. Total cases seen: 153
2. Male: 56
3. Female: 97
4. Chromic cases: 119
5. New cases: 34
6. Emergency cases: 1
7. Patients above 60 yrs of age: 73
8. Referred for further investigation: 2
9. Most common cases: Austhetis and Constipation.

Doctor's Comment:
The only emergency case seen during the camp was the case of cut injury (RT) index finger. The Monk who was working in the kitchen accidently cut her finger while chopping the vegetables for lunch for the medical team providing the free health check up. The case was managed accordingly.

Amongst the two referred cases one was the case of (RT) inguinal henia of 29 yr old female monk for which she was adviced heamorraphy, while the other one was the case of reccurent less of consciousness (without any other symptoms), the case was sent for further investigation(CT scan of head etc) to conclude final diagnosis.

The two most common cases seen amongst the monks were medically related to the tradition and system of monastery. Amthritus seen in them was related to the fact that the monks had to stay in the same position (i.e. folding their legs) for hours and hours during meditation & the reason behind the constipation is that the monks hardly drink water during the long period of meditation to avoid frequent neunation breaks in between which is strictly prohibited.