A lack of finances and the demands of every day life mean accessing a simple hearing check up can be difficult outside of Nepal’s cities. An INF medical team has recently completed an outreach ear camp in the village of Nirmalpokhari outside of Pokhara, treating 145 patients. The camp was held in the local primary school.
The village straddles a ridge and hillside to the south of Pokhara and is reached by a rough dirt road. Community members who participated in the ear camp benefited from basic check ups through to referrals for much needed surgery. From simple issues such as blocked ears due to hard wax build up; to infections treated with antibiotics; and several patients needing hearing aids, the team worked hard to see as many locals as possible. For those needing follow up treatment or surgery INF staff were able to encourage patients to seek further treatment at INF’s Ear Centre in Pokhara.
The INF team included three doctors, two audiologists and logistics staff. It is possible INF is considering visiting the community in the future to work with the local health post and conduct research around improving primary ear care outcomes particularly for children.
INF staff were thankful for the meal provided by the community, the local youth club and the health post in charge for their support, and the certificate of appreciation from the village as an expression of thankfulness for the outreach ear camp.
More about INF’s outreach camps and INF’s Ear Centre.