Health – Nepal Australia Friendship Association https://nafa.org.au Mon, 20 Sep 2021 21:17:36 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 Villagers in Tawal area see their first Dentist ever! https://nafa.org.au/health/villagers-in-tawal-area-see-their-first-dentist-ever Sat, 01 Apr 2017 23:37:24 +0000 http://nafa.org.au/?p=5110 tawal dentist

Dr Smita with grade 10 students dental hygiene talk

Five female Nepali dentists from Kathmandu-based Kantipur Dental College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre, led by Dr Smita Dhakal, Dental Surgeon, conducted the first ever dental camp in Ri VDC, Dhading district from 24-27 February 2017. NAFA’s Rod and Deborah Setterlund welcomed the dental team to the village of Tawal, which hosted the four day camp.  The camp was funded through an earmarked donation from a NAFA supporter, though the dental hospital only sought reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, with the salaries of the dentist covered by the hospital.

 

 

 

Tawal dentist

Tooth extraction Ri VDC Dental Camp 2017

Notices had been displayed in the 25 villages that make up the Ri VDC informing them of the free camp that is hoped to be the first of a multi-year needs assessment, screening, treatment and community education program.

A total of 208 patients (143 female and 65 male) attended the camp, with most having oral health problems. In fact, only 5 out of the 208 were assessed as having good oral hygiene. The main problem dentists identified is irregular brushing of teeth. Therefore the educational focus was on demonstrating the importance of twice daily brushing and rinsing the mouth with water after eating sweets. Over the four days, the dentists performed 36 teeth extractions and 4 fillings.

 

 

 

 

Tawal dentist

Ri VDC Dental Camp Feb 2017

In her preliminary report on the dental camp, Dr Dhakal  concluded: “ With enforcement of knowledge through oral hygiene instruction our Team hopes the oral hygiene will get better when we visit there the next time.”

]]> Remote Area Eye Clinics https://nafa.org.au/health/remote-area-eye-clinics-2 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:15:18 +0000 http://nafa.org.au/newsite/?p=390

Location: Remote areas in Nepal

Date: 1990 ongoing

Partner: the JOY Foundation

Objective: To sponsor one remote eye screening and cataract surgery eye clinic per year, conducted by the Tilganga Eye Centre based in Kathmandu.

Outcomes: From 1990 to 2008, NAFA has funded 17 eye clinics either by full or co-sponsorship, a total cost of $60,000. Approximately 2,850 people have had their sight restored free of charge.

 

Details: The Tilganga Eye Centre provides opthamalogical services to Nepali people and operates an Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) labratory, for the manufacture of lenses for implants during cataract surgery. Tilganga Eye Centre conducts numerous remote area eye clinics free of charge in inaccessible areas where people generally do not have access to medical services.
The remote area medical team members are volunteers and surgery and other eye care is provided free of charge. However, each remote clinic costs over $6,000 due to food provided to patients, transport, and medical equipment costs. Usually a school building is set up as a temporary ‘hospital’ and in most clinics over 1,000 people are screened; while 250 to 300 are operated on for removal of cataracts and replacement with lenses.

Appeal: Help NAFA continue to give the gift of eyesight back to the people in remote villages by donating to this project.  See our donations page

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