NepalNepal Flood Survivors Receive Medical Aid
Health providers care for survivors in Nuwakot district, where roads and bridges were destroyed. A woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was among those who received treatment after struggling to breathe.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Dr. Alok Pradhan's team provided medical support to flood survivors in Nepal's Nuwakot district. The team was part of a mobile medical deployment with the Nepal Red Cross Society.
A woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was struggling to breathe when she reached Dr. Pradhan's team. She had been using her breathing medicine sparingly, fearing she would run out.
The clinicians gave her a full dose of medication and stabilized her. Dr. Pradhan said many of the most pressing needs involved illnesses that had preceded the disaster and the psychological toll of surviving it.
The Aug. 26 floods devastated communities in northern Nepal, with Rasuwa and Nuwakot among the hardest-hit districts. Roads and bridges were destroyed, complicating the delivery of aid and separating patients from medical services.
Dr. Pradhan was joined by volunteers from Dhulikhel Hospital, which deployed with medical aid from Direct Relief to support health services post-flood. The team worked in an area where access had been cut off.
Dr. Pradhan's training had prepared him for the broad demands of practicing medicine in rural Nepal. He chose postgraduate study in family medicine, which equipped him to handle many of the needs of a remote community.
Patients described watching relatives and friends being swept away. Some began crying during consultations, showing the psychological toll of the disaster.
Key facts
- Floods swept through northern Nepal on Aug. 26, devastating communities in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
- Roads and bridges were destroyed, complicating the delivery of aid and separating patients from medical services.
- A mobile medical deployment with the Nepal Red Cross Society provided medical support to flood survivors.
- The team treated patients with illnesses that had preceded the disaster and the psychological toll of surviving it.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The situation in Nepal's flood-affected areas remains challenging, with many survivors still in need of medical aid. The Nepal Red Cross Society and other organizations are working to provide support. The full extent of the damage and the number of people affected are still being assessed.
Positive
The medical aid provided by Dr. Pradhan's team and other organizations has been a lifeline for many flood survivors. The team's efforts have helped to stabilize patients and provide them with the medical care they need. The deployment of medical aid from Direct Relief has also supported health services post-flood.
Negative
The destruction of roads and bridges has made it difficult for patients to access medical services. The psychological toll of the disaster is also a major concern, with many patients showing signs of trauma. The full recovery of the affected areas is likely to take a long time.
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