Spring 2014 News--Teams!

Springtime in Nepal!  Beautiful!  At first you can take your coats off and enjoy perfect "sweater weather!"  At first the skies are still blue and the awesome Himalayas are in view,

but that slowly changes as the spring rains (and the heat!!!) start.

Here is the same view a little later in the spring.

If you didn't know better, you'd never know the Himalayas were there!

We were blessed this spring to have three volunteer medical surgical teams visiting us to help patients who otherwise would have no help.  There are simply not enough doctors in Nepal.

When these teams come, they come during their vacations and give of their time and efforts instead of having a family holiday.  They can only imagine the impact they have made on the lives of their patients.

We also count on Nepali doctors who dedicate themselves to do follow-up treatment if necessary and we value them as very important members of the surgical teams.

The first team this spring was a repeat visit from Centura Global Health Initiatives' OB/GYN team, based in Colorado, U.S.A., seen here with Mr. Pralhad Bhurtel, our Health Project Coordinator, as they arrived.  

We're happy to announce that teams from Centura regularly come twice a year for much needed female surgeries, mainly which consist of uterine prolapse.  If you've been following our news, you already know about them.  If you'd like to check out their website, here it is:  http://www.centuraglobalhealth.org/NepalWomensHealthInitiative

You'll find out that this dedicated team also travels to other countries with their volunteer work.

To read more about the tremendous need of prolapse surgery in Nepal,

here is a very recent newspaper article about the difficulties:

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/may/07/nepalese-women-stigma-fallen-wombs-prolapsed-uterus

These pictures show the common sight in Nepal of women carrying heavy loads on their backs, which is one of the contributing factors to uterine prolapse.

Here are Dr. Jaime Arruda and Dr. Carole Christensen, OB/GYNs from Colorado, USA, in action.

Thank you for changing the lives of the 20 patients you had during your one week in Nepal!

Dr. Cardona thanked the team at a dinner,

and gave gifts in appreciation.

Here is the whole team with our own staff members who worked with them.

We look forward to your next visit!  Blessings are sent your way and a BIG THANKS!

Our next two teams were both from Australia.  Sydney Adventist Hospital (http://www.sah.org.au/) and Open Heart International (http://www.ohi.org.au/) organize these teams and their yearly trips here.  The first team to come was a women's health team, for more uterine prolapse surgeries.  As noted above, this is a large health situation here and we are grateful for each team that comes to help the women of Nepal.  They arrived in the evening.

How many surgeries did they do in approximately ten days?  82!  Yes, 82!  Eighty-two women's lives were changed by their time and efforts!  What a blessing!

Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing your team again next year!

The next team from Sydney Adventist Hospital and Open Heart International to come was the burn contracture reconstruction team.  This team helps to solve the often insurmountable problems facing burn victims in Nepal.  Tragically, many of the victims are children who do not understand the dangers of fire and live in rural communities where fires (often open fires for cooking and heat) are important to daily life.

They arrived with smiles on their faces after a long flight!

Here is the anesthesia team, with our own anesthesiologist and our acting CEO.  Left to Right:  Dr. Fernando Cardona, pediatrician and acting CEO, Dr. Jiro Sato, anesthesiologist from Japan, our won anesthesiologist Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz, Dr. Stephanie Phillips and Dr. Tony Chan, both from Australia.

Dr. Stephanie Phillips is seen here in front of one of the four anesthesia machines she was instrumental in bringing to Scheer Memorial Hospital.  We are thankful and grateful for this wonderful contribution!  What a blessing!

Dr. Neelam Shah and Dr. Basant Mathema, plastic surgeons from Kathmandu, check a patient's chart.  They are an important part of the burn team as they continue with the important after care are the Australian team leaves.  Their contribution is necessary and invaluable.  We thank both of you so much!

We give a big thank you to the whole team for coming here during their vacation time and working!  We hope you all were blessed as much as your patients were!  See you next year!

If you want to read an interesting newspaper article about burns and burn victims in Nepal, click 

http://archives.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=41880.

If you have supported any of the teams, either financially or prayerfully, we thank you too!  

Stay tuned for more news!  Take care and God bless you our friends and supporters!

May Health Calendar

Happy May 2014!  Scheer Memorial Hospital wishes you the best of health during May--and of course, during your whole life actually!

Have you seen the list of World Health Calendar days of emphasis during the month of May?  If not, you can find them here.

If you have any questions concerning any of these or other health issues, please don't hesitate to come in for a consultation.  Don't be shy!

May 4-11 is Hospice Week.  Did you know that there is a hospice in Nepal?  It's in Lalitpur.  Here is the website for anyone who is interested in reading about it:  http://www.hospicenepal.org.np/

May 6-12 is Burns Awareness Week.    Nepal is one of the top ten countries in the world with a very high burn incidence rate.  We've been blessed here at Scheer Memorial Hospital to be able to periodically offer burn contracture reconstructive surgeries to those in need.  A plastic surgery team from Sydney Adventist Hospital comes and works in conjunction with plastic surgeons from Kathmandu.  We thank them for their help!

May 8 is World Red Cross Day, which reminds us to donate blood.  Did you know that one pint of blood can save three lives?  To learn about Nepal's Red Cross Society, you can visit their website:  http://www.nrcs.org/core-area/hc-blood-service.php

May 12 is World Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Day.  To find out more about this, and why it's celebrated on May 12, please refer to http://www.may12th.org/ 

May 12 is also International Nurses Day.  To find out more about this day and to learn what the theme is (and again, why it's also celebrated on May 12!), check out the International Council of Nurses website here.

May 17 is World Hypertension Day.  Did you realize that Nepal is not immune to this world-wide problem?  This Himalayan Times article is from last year, but still very relevant and full of information about hypertension in Nepal:  http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Hypertension%3AThe+silent+killer&NewsID=372122

To find out the theme for 2014, read the International Society of Hypertension's website:  http://ish-world.com/public/world-hypertension-day.htm

May 19 is International Candlelight Memorial Day.  What is this?  You can find out on this website:  http://www.candlelightmemorial.org/ and why it's relevant in Nepal at this website:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_in_Nepal.

May 28 is International Day of Action for Women's Health.  Do you have any questions about women's health?  Our OB/GYNs are ready to talk to you about any question you may have.  To read about this day, you can find a website that explains about it here:  http://www.may28.org/about/may-28-herstory/

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day.  For information about this important day, please read the Wikipedia article:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_No_Tobacco_Day

May you have a nice, happy, and healthy day, week, year, and life!  

Happy New Year 2071

What?  Happy New Year 2071?

Yes, here in Nepal, today, April 14, 2014, is actually  Baishakh 1, 2071, which is New Year's Day!

Nepal observes the Bikram Sambat lunisolar Hindu calendar.  To read more about it,

check out Wikipedia's information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_calendar.

That page also has links to other information pages about this calendar.

Here in Banepa, it is a quiet and peaceful day with people spending time relaxing, eating, 

and enjoying time with family and friends.

Some towns, such as nearby Bhaktapur, have celebrations.  

Here's a picture from bhaktapur.com:

Here at Scheer Memorial Hospital, the office workers have a day off,

but not the OR staff who keep busy every day of the year.  THANKS folks!

Right now there is a medical volunteer team here from Sydney Adventist Hospital 

and Open Heart International performing burn contracture reconstruction surgeries.
(Stay tuned for more information about this in upcoming posts.)

On behalf of their patients, we give them a big thanks for taking their vacation time to come.

Other workers working today include the canteen staff--THANKS,

 the laundry staff--THANKS,

 and of course, the nurses--THANKS!

Other departments open today and every day 24/7, in every hospital,
 are the ER, always busy--THANKS,

the reception--THANKS,

and the cashier--THANKS, and pharmacy (last window)--THANKS.

The guards are always working too--THANKS,

and the ambulance drivers are always on call and ready to go at any moment--THANKS.

We also want to thank all our loyal supporters and wish them, and in fact everyone,
all the best during this new year of 2071 and/or 2014!

Take care and God bless!

Dr. Profiles--Dr. Prameed and Dr. Lavona Pilli

Dr. Prameed Pilli, one of our orthopedic surgeons, and his wife Dr. Lavona Pilli, one of our obstetrician/gynecologists, are here on their second term of service, the first being during the 2000s.  Dr. Prameed, from India, and Dr. Lavona, from Sri Lanka, first met as children when Dr. Lavona’s father accepted a job in India and the family moved to the same town as Dr. Prameed’s family. 

Both attended Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, Udupi District Kamataka, India. This medical school was the first private sector medical college in India.  After graduating from KMC, the Pillis worked in India for one year as general physicians before moving to Sri Lanka where they worked as general physicians for six years. 

Their next move brought them to Nepal for Dr. Prameed’s residency at Kathmandu University.  He trained at Baidya and Banskota Hospital (B & B Hospital, which specializes in every type of complex trauma) in Patan, Kathmandu, and also the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC, whose services specialize in treating underprivileged physically challenged children) in Banepa.  Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Prameed began his career at Scheer Memorial Hospital as an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal systems, which are the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.  Both chronic pain (such as arthritis and lower back pain) and acute pain and injuries (such as broken bones, pulled muscles, torn ligaments and ruptured disks) are treated by orthopedic surgeons.  While surgery is an important part of the orthopedic department, other treatment methods such as rehabilitation and medical management of a condition may be employed as well as referrals to the physiotherapy department.

While Dr. Prameed was in residency, Dr. Lavona began working here at Scheer Memorial Hospital as a Senior Medical Officer in the OB/GYN department.  After seven years in Nepal, the Pillis moved to Argentina for Dr. Lavona’s residency in obstetrics and gynecology at River Plate Sanitarium and Hospital, which is affiliated with River Plate Adventist University in Libertador San Martin, Entre Rios, Argentina.

Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical and surgical care to women.  The obstetrics part of the specialty involves the medical care of women before and during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as performing cesarean sections when necessary.  Gynecology duties include diagnosing and treating female reproductive disorders such as infections and endometriosis as well as female cancers.  OB/GYNs encourage patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and provide information about exercise, nutrition and family planning.  They work very long hours since babies don’t stick to schedules! 

Last year the Pillis returned to Nepal to continue serving the people of Banepa and the surrounding areas who are in need of their medical attentions.

Their two sons, Jonathan and Timothy, are currently studying in the United States of America.

  

Doctor Profiles--Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz

Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz, our anesthesiologist, is here on his second term of service, the first being in the 1990s.  Born in Paraguay, he is an anesthesiologist with a sub-specialty in pediatric anesthesia who worked in Mexico (private practice, instructor of pediatric anesthesiology for the government of Nuevo Leon and head teacher in charge of senior anesthesia residents and interns, and vice president of the board and supervisor of the emergency room of Galeana General Hospital, Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico) and the Dutch island of Curacao (head of anesthesiology at Antillean Adventist Hospital).   

Dr. Ruiz Diaz received his medical degree from Montemorelos University School of Medicine, Montemorelos, Mexico, where he was the senior class president of the entire university.  His anesthesiology residency, where he was a senior resident team leader, was at the Hospital of the University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico (which has 22 operating rooms and is a liver, lung, kidney, and pancreas transplant center).  His pediatric anesthesiology residency was at the Children’s Hospital, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Dr. Ramon has participated in search and rescue teams in Mexico and also served on an orthopedic surgical team with Red Cross Aruba in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010.  He and two of his team members received a decoration for their outstanding service.

Being interviewed for the news before traveling to Haiti.

Back home.

Receiving the decoration from Emily de Jongh-Elhage, 

who was the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles at the time.

Being interviewed on the news.

Did you know that anesthesiologists are very highly specialized physicians who have many years of extensive and specialized training--and that there is only one anesthesiologist per 184,000 Nepalese?  During their work day, they may encounter very complicated and difficult medical and surgical situations where life saving skills and decision-making capabilities are a must.

Anesthesiologists are also perioperative physicians, which means they provide medical care to patients before, during, and after surgery.  Among other things, preoperative medical evaluations must be taken before surgery, as well as a consultation and planning of the surgery with the surgical team.  A plan for the anesthesia must be tailored to each individual patient, airway management must be implemented, there must be intraoperative life support and diagnostic evaluations, pain control, and critical postoperative life support.  Medical management of preexisting medical conditions must be controlled as well as any care and management of medical or surgical complications and/or intensive care management as situations warrant.  Other essential and critical skills required of anesthesiologists include the management, direction of and performance of cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation and advanced life support as well as stabilization and preparation of patients for emergency surgery.

                                                He is very happy to be here serving in Nepal.   

 With him is his wife Kathy, who is the librarian at Esa Memorial School

and also doing some secretarial work.

Winter 2013/2014 News, Part 1--"Hong Kong Adventist Hospital ENT Team"

To start this blog post, we have a beautiful picture for you to enjoy of the hospital taken this winter by Mr. Rohit Taujale.  Thank you so much!  Look at the crisp blue sky we had that day here in Nepal!

During the winter here in Nepal, when we have these crisp blue skies, you can see the majestic Himalayas!  Here is the view you will have when you drive to Kathmandu from Banepa.

These views can make you forget how cold you are--and how happy you are to be in Nepal!

And now to a large problem--Ear Trouble!  In developing countries, ear trouble can be a difficult thing and more common that you may realize.  Here in Nepal, where one can only find approximately one ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) surgeon for every 600,000 people and approximately one audiologist per 6,000,000 people, it can be difficult for those suffering from ear problems to get the help they need.  Add this to the fact that moderate to severe hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities here and you can begin to see the need for help.

This is why we are so happy and blessed to have Hong Kong Adventist Hospital's ENT team come to our hospital periodically.  The team members come during their vacation time and finance their own trip.  If you are interested in reading about their ENT services, please check out their website:  http://www.hkah.org.hk/new/eng/specialist_center_hc.php

This year they were able to perform 66 surgeries during their time here.  What a world of difference they made to those 66 people!  Here is Dr. Buddy Wong, team leader, performing a surgery.

  

One of the types of surgeries they performed was cochlear implant surgery.  This picture from The Journal of the American Medical Association explains how this works.

You can imagine how the quality of life for the patients has improved after their surgeries.  

Again, we want to express thanks to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital's ENT team.

THANKS!

Have a nice day and enjoy your upcoming Spring!

Stay tuned for more news!

Fall 2013 News, Part 4--"Anesthesia Machine!"

SMILE!

Do you know the history of anesthesia?

No, it's not like in the cartoon!  However, it's very interesting!  

If you'd like to find out more about it, check out Wikipedia's page here.

Scheer Memorial Hospital is proud of its Anesthesia Department.  Our Dr. Ramon Ruiz Diaz, anesthesiologist and pediatric anesthesiologist, comes to us from Paraguay and has many years of experience, including teaching anesthesia and pediatric anesthesia.  

His chief assistant, Mr. Laxman Thapa, also has many years of experience.  

For a small hospital, we are fully able to provide the best anesthesia attention available.

In this picture, Dr. Ramon has finished giving anesthesia to a young patient.

Here is Mr. Laxman Thapa giving his best as always,

and Dr. Ramon and Mr. Laxman with a visiting engineer from Japan.

Recently, we were very blessed with a new addition to our anesthesia family!

It wasn't a "Who" but a "What!"

What was it?  A new anesthesia machine!

Isn't "she" beautiful?!

Dr. Christa Baczko, a visiting German anesthesiologist who serves here with love when she comes once a year, seen above with Mr. Laxman Thapa, worked with Rotary Internationl to obtain the donation of this lovely anesthesia machine.  We want to give a big thank you to Dr. Baczko and Rotary International for this much appreciated gift!

The patients of Kavre district thank you too!

We had an Anesthesia Machine Handover Program on November 8, 2013.

Our chief guests were Rotary International District Governor Mr. Dilendra Raj Shrestha, the president of the Rotary Club Kathmandu Mid-Town Mr. Saroj Shrestha, Rotary Club Germany's Mr. Martin Bialluch, and the president of the Rotary Club of Kavre Mr. Raghunath Ghimire.

Again, we thank them for their generosity, time and efforts!

Please enjoy these pictures of the event.

As you can see, it was a nice day.  However, the nicest thing was our generous and lovely gift!

BIG BLESSING AND BIG SMILE!

Bye and blessings to you...and see you next time!