INF Nepal’s new project to run medical camps for people with disabilities in remote districts has made some important progress over recent months. The Community Medical Outreach project will impact nearly 9,000 people across several districts, including Nawalpur, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya, and Kapilvastu.

Patient checks at an INF medical camp

Opening the door to hospital services

Leprosy screening camps are a key component of the project, and had resulted in 17 referrals for reconstructive surgery by the end of December. Many of these were carried out at Green Pastures Hospital, but Dr Suraj (GPH Plastic Surgeon) was also able to conduct some surgeries when he attended camps in Banke and Bardiya.

These surgical interventions help make patients less reliant on other people, prevent further disability, rebuild their self-confidence, and maintain their dignity. Free assistive devices have also been provided to help 34 people with disabilities become more independent in going about their daily lives.

Sport and fun!

A festival of various sporting activities was organised to mark the International Day for People with Disabilities in December.

These fun events helped increase self-esteem and raise awareness of disability issues, enabling more people in Nepal to break free from the social stigma that is associated with being disabled. Events included a wheelchair basketball tournament, as well as races for visually impaired people and those in wheelchairs.