The Sukman Memorial Polyclinic provides basic health care including; medicine, simple lab work and the services of a Physician’s Assistant, nurse, and midwife. However, we do not have a doctor. Our ambulance service is available for those cases too severe for the clinic.
In recent years the Clinic has made great strides toward becoming self-sustaining. The micro-loan program has provided seed money for small entrepreneurs, the road has opened opportunities for trade and the Women’s Center has provided training for hundreds of women, but still, the Kumari is desperately poor and the clinic will require outside support for several years. Sorenson Legacy Foundation will contribute matching funds of $21,000 per year for three years for clinic operations and sustainability programs. To receive the matching funds we must raise the first $21,000. Unfortunately, contributions have slowed dramatically since the earthquake. If you can help us, please consider a donation.
In 2013 we opened “The Sukman Memorial Polyclinic” in the Kumari with Jagat Lama and his NGO – Health, and Education for Nepal (HEN). The medical clinic serves 60,000 local people, most of whom have no access to western medicine. The clinic has a pharmacy, a lab, a birthing room, exam rooms and quarters for the staff.
Since the opening of the clinic we have:
- Provided basic medical services to thousands of local patients.
- Opened a temporary mobile clinic after the earthquake to help people injured in the earthquake
- Acted as a distribution point for critical aid for over 2500 families after the earthquake
- Completed a water project to provide clean water for the clinic and nearby school.
- Held several special medical and dental camps to provide free service for the neediest
- Held a special eye surgery camp and treated 100 elderly patients.
- Hosted several interns from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Northern Colorado, promoting health education for women in the Kumari.
To continue to move toward sustainability the clinic need to:
- Provide a part-time doctor to support the existing clinic staff
- Provide additional equipment and supplies to the clinic to include; x-ray, and sonogram.
- Provide Dental and Eye care
- Continue to provide Health Camps bring western medicine to the Kumari, and introducing the western Doctors and volunteers to the Kumari people
The work in Nepal for the people of the Kumari had taken enormous strides. We have opened doors for the people that they never imagined. But we are not done. The objective has always been to create a “self-sustaining” facility in the Kumari. With the right kind of support, the people of the Kumari will thrive and one day manages their own medical care. Until then we need to continue to support intelligent investments, in education, infrastructure, and medical services.
In 2009 Dr. Douglas B. Mckeag told me he had just examined a man with a 50 lb. scrotal sack. We sponsored this man’s trip to the hospital and Jagat Lama reported today. One of guy he had his eggs surgery in the health camp. He is now 100 years old”. And this is why we have to keep the clinic going THEN ……………………………………………………. NOW
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