Health Camp 2006
Immediate Help for Mothers and Children
HIV/AIDS Prevention
May 6 to May 16 2005
The northwestern area of Nepal (Humla Simikot) is not only the poorest and least developed areas of Nepal, but also one of the least developed areas of the whole world. If the northwest of Nepal would be a sovereign country it would be the fifth poorest country in comparison to the 174 other countries, worldwide. Most of the problems concerning health are caused by insufficient knowledge about health and hygiene as well as appropriate medical approach. Geographical survey and population:
The map shows the political districts of Nepal, with the district of Humla in the northwest. Humla and the surrounding area of Simikot have approximately 45 000 inhabitants. Simikot, the capital, lies on an altitude of 2900 m.
Humla District (Statistics):
| Area | 5.655 square kilometres |
| Elevation | 1.200-6.900 meters |
| Population | 42.647 |
| District centre | Simikot |
| Access | By airplane via Nepalgunj |
| Ethnicity | Tsetri, Thakuris, Bhotias, Brahmins, Kamis, Damai |
| Major Occupation of people | 95% Agriculture (Farming and animal husbandry) Rest in herbs and other trade. |
| Crops | Wheat, maize, barley, millet, buckwheat, potato, beans, mustard, turnip...those found in Humla. Plus Rice |
Health problems:
The general health problem is primarily characterized by malnutrition, diarrhea, kindling, inflammation of the lungs, and insufficient hygiene. There is scarcely any knowledge about health and the causes of disease or about HIV and AIDS. Most frequent diseases of adults are diarrhea, vermination, blepharitis, infection of eyes and ears, scabies, prostate problems and arthritis.The main health problems during childhood are malnutrition, diarrhea, infection of ears, eyes and skin as well as accidents. Most health problems concerning women are anaemia, gynecological problems, stomach acidity, and inflammation of the lower abdomen as well as problems associated with maternity and childbirth.
In the future, HIV and AIDS will be one of the greatest problems in the northwestern area of Nepal. There is great likelihood and fear of infection because of the great number of season labourers going to India and Tibet. Those season labourers do not have any knowledge or training concerning AIDS and HIV prevention and therefore the risk of infection is high.
There is no real health care in the area of Humla for which reason mortality of children and mothers is about 30-40 % higher than in other districts of Nepal.
Questioning people during previous Health Camps, we realized that scarcely any person had any inoculation at all.
Project proposal and procedure:
The aims of our project are:1. Reduction of infant mortality in Simikot.
2. Improving health for mothers
3. Educational work concerning HIV and AIDS and AIDS prevention
4. Treatment of patients that come to our Health Camp
It is the intention to organise a Health Camp at Simikot starting on the 6th of May 2006 for the duration of 10 days. Doctors and nurses from Europe, especially from Austria will work in collaboration with doctors of the University of Nepalgungj. The main target of this special aspect of the Health Camp will be the medical treatment of women and children.
Vaccination for all persons visiting our Health Camp is subject to the permission by the Nepal Ministry of Health (measles, mumps, rubella).
In addition there is going to be an educational programme about HIV and aspects of hygiene (Little Doctors Programme) for all persons visiting our Health Camp.
Donations
bank account of Nepal Trust Austria
Bank Austria - Creditanstalt
bank code 12000
account number: 52069181001
IBAN: AT721200052069181001
BIC: BKAUATWW
Bank Austria - Creditanstalt
bank code 12000
account number: 52069181001
IBAN: AT721200052069181001
BIC: BKAUATWW