Dhulikhel Hospital

 Monday, March 13, 2023

I spent Monday at the Dhulikhel Hospital with the nursing staff. What an eye opening experience. I couldn't take a lot of photos but my words can paint a picture for you that is beyond your wildest imagination. 


Our first stop was the ICU.  Twelve "beds" crammed into a space that should hold 3. No separation of any kind. No heat. Medications are few.  But the nursing staff was caring and dedicated to their patients. The nurses do everything here. There are no nursing assistants or orderlies. If the nurse needs something, the family is expected to do it. For example, it was nearing lunch time. Family must bring utensils and bowls. The food is supplied but they must go get it and feed the patient. The same goes for radiology and daily medications. The family must take the script and go to the pharmacy and get the medication and bring it to the nurses. A patient was getting a chest x-ray and the family had to go get the film and report and bring it to the ICU. The family waits outside and sleeps on mats. 



The medical floors are simple rooms with 8-10 beds in them, mixed ages and genders. The rooms are no larger than my living room. When it's time to clean (once or twice a week) they move everyone into the hall and hose down everything.  While it paints an eerie picture in your head, they have a low infection rate and it makes you wonder if we are too "sanitary" in the US. 

Thursday I will go back when I return to Dhulikhel and will be visiting the maternity building which is fairly new, the emergency room,  and the pediatric ward. 

I had lunch at the canteen for .80! Of course it was nothing but rice and lentils but cheap nonetheless. I trekked 95 steps down to the dental school where my friends were teaching endodontics to Nepalese dental students.  (the thought of going back up the 95 steps was daunting but I did it anyway)



Saw my first water buffalo.....looks like a cow.🤷


The 3/4 mile trek to the hotel.....and pack for two days in Kathmandu.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kali Temple (1000 Steps)

Image
 Saturday, March 18, 2023 My friend Karl has been looking forward to the 1000 steps since he got here in November. I was all in until I realized I need to see a pulmonologist when I get home. My lung capacity is CRAP! But...I promised I would go. I sillily assumed we would take a taxi to the trailhead. WRONG! We hiked two miles from the lodge to the trailhead before beginning the 1000 steps to Buddha. Lordy! The hike through the villages was interesting. Lots of markets and living quarters.  The start of the 1000 steps: Door to nowhere.... There were many side temples on the way up. We finally reached the Buddha. We were asked to remove our shoes and walk around.  The Hindu temple was another 100 steps and less impressive. The most exciting part of this hike was a little girl who came up to me and asked where I was from. She had lots of questions about the US. She was 10.  Her mother and aunts were with her and all wanted my picture because I was a "blonde American"....
Read more

Temple Tour Kathmandu

Image
 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Today was about cultural learning and respect for other religions, primarily Hindu and Buddhist.  Our first visit was to Swayambhu or Monkey Temple. The stupa (shrine) is the oldest religious site in Nepal. It is primary Buddhist but is also frequented by Hindus. Monkeys are considered holy by Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. The picture of the monkeys on monuments is where the former Dalai Lamas are buried. There were 13 of them.  Second stop....Patan Durbar Square. Located in Lalitpur Nepal it is one of the three squares in the Kathmandu Valley that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is made up of multiple temples and is both Buddhist and Hindu. The most famous and historic temple is Krishna Temple. Most of the square had to be rebuilt after the earthquake in 2015.  Third stop....Pashupatinath. This stop was very uncomfortable to see. I felt as if I was intruding on people's privacy.  This is the holy site for cremation. Th...
Read more

Maternity Ward Visit

Image
 Thursday, March 16, 2023 Today was spent visiting the maternity hospital in Dhulikhel.  After what I've seen I can honestly say that I wouldn't have any children here. The maternity hospital houses a pregnancy center, birthing center, and post-natal ward. They are in the process of building a NICU. The birthing center is comprised of several rooms housing 5-8 women in one room with a bathroom. The actual labor room houses two beds as shown in the picture. Privacy is an unknown word here.  While I was there a woman was in the midwife room. She was young and having her second child.  No pain medications or epidurals are given here. All natural childbirth.  After the babies are born the family is responsible for taking care of the baby while the mother recovers. A natural birth allows for a 24 hour stay. The cost is 300.00 USD. The family takes the newborn out to the balcony and massages them with mustard oil. They stay out in the sun for hours.  Only cloth d...
Read more