Medical Team Travels through Nepal on Two-Week Tour

Believers Church Kathmandu Diocese held a medical camp from 14th to 28th October 2008. A team of doctors volunteered their time to offer free medical checkups and treatment.

The team screened 1,178 children and 297 parents at Bridge of Hope centers in northwest Nepal. Children learned how to brush their teeth and wash their hands. They also received free toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap to encourage hygiene habits at home.

The medical personnel measured the height and weight of the children, tested their eyes and gathered their medical history. Necessary medication was then prescribed and given. Most children received Albendezole (a medication used to treat infections caused by tapeworms) and Vitamin C.

The schoolchildren had many health problems, including skin and ear infections, scabies, dental cavities, asthma and tuberculosis. The medical team gave medication those who needed it and referred some seriously ill people to local specialists for further treatment.

On 24th October, the team went to Kathmandu jails. They divided into two teams, one for men and the other for ladies. Dr. Jacqueline and Dr. Lufee screened inmates in the ladies prison and the rest of the team screened men in Bhadragol and Central Prisons. They saw many heart patients as well as individuals suffering from other diseases.

“This is the first Medical Camp in prison for heart patients,” said the authority of Central Prison. “We are thankful to the medical team.”

During screening, the team found a 21-year-old male with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation due to rheumatic heart disease, which would be deadly if left untreated. He was referred to the prison doctor to have an operation as soon as possible. Other patients included a 61-year-old diabetic blind man, a middle-aged woman with a large breast mass possibly from breast cancer and a 22-year-old female with intellectual disability and stunted growth.

The prisoners were grateful to receive thorough checkups.

Seeing Believers Church’s efforts to help the underprivileged, a medical student said, “We pray to have this kind of camp again in the future. You are doing great work.”

A doctor from a medical college expressed similar sentiments. “Wow!” he said. “You guys are doing wonderful work. Everyone cannot do this.”

Believers Church holds medical camps in hundreds of communities, meeting the needs of thousands who cannot afford basic health care. The church also works to prevent disease by educating the public on various health issues.