Volunteering in Nepal

INF carries out surgical, dental, gynæcological,

ear and other types of medical camps. Most

camps last 8 or 9 days with 2 or 3 days of

travelling before and afterwards, allowing time

for delays and medical registration.

The numbers of patients and operations vary

in different districts and depending on team

numbers. Generally, a camp sees between

800 and 1,200 outpatients. The camps team

members provide advice, medicine, surgery,

hearing aids etc. During a typical camp there

may be between 80 and 150 operations, both

major and minor. Many patients are children.

Most camps are held in a district hospital.

Nepal is divided into 5 regions, and camps

are normally held in the Western, Mid Western

and Far Western Regions. These are the most

remote, least populated and poorest parts

of the country. Each region has around 15

districts. Camps concentrate on the more

inaccessible hill districts. Each district has a

population of 150,000 to 200,000 and most

have 1 general hospital with between 10 and

20 beds. There is usually 1 doctor, often absent.

Hospitals run mainly with paramedics, and

camps team members often have opportunities

to provide training for them. Some districts

may have 2 doctors. Facilities are variable and

basic, electricity and water supply are often

intermittent, buildings are simple and toilet

facilities are poor. The camps team members

usually stay in simple Nepali hotels, eating

local food. Adaptability and improvisation are

important – it is surprising how the team can

turn a simple space into an effective operating

room, and team members quickly get used to

the different environment and equipment.

INF travel to remote areas of Nepal, where hospital costs are too expensive for the local people to afford, and a s a result there are many people with medical problems that could be easily treated in other countries.

All the volunteers fund their flights, accommodation and food, as well as ensuring they are eligible to travel to Nepal and legally allowed to practice there.