Dolpo Emergency Pandemic Medical Supplies
Tax deductible
Dolpo, one of the most remote high-altitude regions of Nepal, is in the midst of the second pandemic lockdown and a wave of severe respiratory illness. As there is no COVID19 testing there at the moment, we have no way of knowing how many are suffering from COVID19, however, many (up to 75% per ward chief of Saldang village) are suffering from high fevers, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea and other typical symptoms of COVID19.
Why is this needed
We have previously supported COVID19 health education, mask distribution and 2 oxygen concentrators to some regions of Dolpo in 2020 but would like to send 2 more concentrators to areas that has access to electricity and more masks to the remote villages. We would also like to provide 100 rapid antigen test kits to various villages to help with disease control and encourage COVID19-specific governmental aide
* Three-ply cloth masks x 1000 x 145 NPR (Nepali Rupee) = 145000 NPR = $1300
* COVID19 Antigen Rapid Tests x 100 x 835 NPR = 83500 NPR = $720
* Oxygen Concentrator 7 Liter x 2 x 237300 NPR = 474600 NPR = $4100
TOTAL FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES = $6120
TRANSPORTATION BY HELICOPTER TO SALDANG = $4000 (This cost will also cover transportation of some essential food supplies as well)
NOTE: Any money we can raise over $12000 will be used for food and other medical supplies
Urgent message from Pemma Wangchen, Ward Chief of Saldang:
Background
Started by Roshi Joan Halifax, Upaya’s Nomads Clinic has been providing medical care by bringing together Nepali and Western clinicians to serve in extremely remote, high-altitude communities in Himalayan Nepal for 40 years.
We have served the people of Upper Dolpo in 4 clinics between 2015-18, seeing over 1000 patients each year. In our medical treks up to Dolpo, we were also able to bring valuable donations of thousands of Little Sun solar lamps, women’s reusable menstrual kits and warm clothing. We also support Dolpo Tulku Foundation's winter clinic in Kathmandu that provides health services for those from Dolpo who winter in the city. We have provided emergency evacuation services and supported emergency treatments and surgeries throughout the year through our Nepali team.
Just this past year, even though the western team was unable to serve in Nepal in-person due to the pandemic, we supported our Nepali team, headed by one of our medical directors, Tsering Wangmo, to run a summer health program in Upper Dolpo in collaboration with local government, other NGOs and local schools. The team was able to help guide the pandemic response, help set quarantine protocols, educate local people about the pandemic and brought donations of masks. We also tackled the problem of endemic Hepatitis B in these high mountain villages by testing 1568 people and gave 2-doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine to the 1209 non-reactive individuals. In this month-long project, the team also provided family planning services, dental service and other health services.
Over the years of serving there, we have made deep connections with the people of Upper Dolpo and will be partnering with local health professionals, youth leaders, teachers, local government and community leaders on this project.
photo by Dan Lin
Why is this needed
We have previously supported COVID19 health education, mask distribution and 2 oxygen concentrators to some regions of Dolpo in 2020 but would like to send 2 more concentrators to areas that has access to electricity and more masks to the remote villages. We would also like to provide 100 rapid antigen test kits to various villages to help with disease control and encourage COVID19-specific governmental aide
* Three-ply cloth masks x 1000 x 145 NPR (Nepali Rupee) = 145000 NPR = $1300
* COVID19 Antigen Rapid Tests x 100 x 835 NPR = 83500 NPR = $720
* Oxygen Concentrator 7 Liter x 2 x 237300 NPR = 474600 NPR = $4100
TOTAL FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES = $6120
TRANSPORTATION BY HELICOPTER TO SALDANG = $4000 (This cost will also cover transportation of some essential food supplies as well)
NOTE: Any money we can raise over $12000 will be used for food and other medical supplies
Urgent message from Pemma Wangchen, Ward Chief of Saldang:
Background
Started by Roshi Joan Halifax, Upaya’s Nomads Clinic has been providing medical care by bringing together Nepali and Western clinicians to serve in extremely remote, high-altitude communities in Himalayan Nepal for 40 years.
We have served the people of Upper Dolpo in 4 clinics between 2015-18, seeing over 1000 patients each year. In our medical treks up to Dolpo, we were also able to bring valuable donations of thousands of Little Sun solar lamps, women’s reusable menstrual kits and warm clothing. We also support Dolpo Tulku Foundation's winter clinic in Kathmandu that provides health services for those from Dolpo who winter in the city. We have provided emergency evacuation services and supported emergency treatments and surgeries throughout the year through our Nepali team.
Just this past year, even though the western team was unable to serve in Nepal in-person due to the pandemic, we supported our Nepali team, headed by one of our medical directors, Tsering Wangmo, to run a summer health program in Upper Dolpo in collaboration with local government, other NGOs and local schools. The team was able to help guide the pandemic response, help set quarantine protocols, educate local people about the pandemic and brought donations of masks. We also tackled the problem of endemic Hepatitis B in these high mountain villages by testing 1568 people and gave 2-doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine to the 1209 non-reactive individuals. In this month-long project, the team also provided family planning services, dental service and other health services.
Over the years of serving there, we have made deep connections with the people of Upper Dolpo and will be partnering with local health professionals, youth leaders, teachers, local government and community leaders on this project.
photo by Dan LinOrganizer
Wendy Lau
Organizer
Santa Fe, NM
Upaya Zen Center
Beneficiary