800 villages attend CQU health checks in rural Nepal

COUNTRY: Nepal
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Nursing
WRITTEN BY: Central Queensland University

On Friday the 23rd of November, a group of 12 volunteer members from CQ University travelled with Sonam and Mr Galypo via 4WD for a very bumpy six hours to the remote village of Gilung. The welcome by the village was amazing. We were showered with marigold garlands, blessed with a tikka, and we were piped up to the primary school by the village band. Upon reaching the top of the village, the volunteers were in awe of the amazing views of the Annapurna Ranges. We were greeted by the elder of the village, together with the primary students and teachers. Following a welcoming ceremony by the Lions Club members, school principal and village elder, we were treated to Nepalese bread and chicken. The volunteer group then presented the school with educational supplies, sporting and craft goods.

After the presentation, the volunteers then viewed the refurbishments made to the school building and classroom furniture. We were impressed by the improvements made to the classroom utilizing money donated by CQU and we appreciated the acknowledgement of the CQU branding on the school desks which will be an ever-lasting reminder of the donations from the most esteemed CQU students and staff.

We were introduced to our host families and all of the volunteers settled into their traditional Nepali accommodation. We were most impressed by the hospitality shown to all of us and that evening we enjoyed a cultural show and got to sample the traditional Nepali millet wine.

After a delicious breakfast of boiled eggs and roti, we trekked through the fields of millet to the health camp, which was held at the secondary higher school. The day was a great success with just under 800 villagers came to the camp for health checks, with some walking up to 5 hours to get there. Health checks included gynaecology, ENT, ECG, Ultrasound, general medicine and eye clinic.

There was also a pharmacy that supplied the necessary medication free of charge. Volunteering nursing students were divided between each area providing invaluable assistance to doctors and performing health assessment for patients prior to seeing the doctors. 27 villagers were diagnosed with cataracts out of 250 eye checks. One of these elderly patients (84 years of age) arrived having been carried in a basket by one of her family members, over rough hilly terrain to get there. We appreciated the assistance of the Lions members as translators when we communicated with the local villagers. At the completion of the health camp, CQU students gifted donations to the principal of the secondary school.

Following the health camp, the youth and women’s groups treated the volunteers to another evening of cultural dance. Dances were also performed by CQU and Lions Club members, special mention must go to the Most Respected President of the Lions Club for his nimbleness on the dancefloor.

The next morning began with a very early start in which our host families bid us farewell with beautiful garlands and flowers and accompanied us to the bus. As we travelled down the mountain to return to Pokhara we reflected on our experiences, the people we met and new friends we made.