August 2016 Health Calendar

August Health Awareness

(photo credit:  http://blog.ezdoctor.com/?tag=/soarasis)

Do you know what psoriasis is?
This webmed.com page below gives a good overview and has links and slideshows.
Please don't let your children see the slideshows, as they could scare a young child.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/understanding-psoriasis-basics#1

This article gives one young lady's experience:
http://www.maneobjective.com/2015/08/psoriasis-awareness-month-living-with-psoriasis-curly-hair.html

Here are some more stories of people living with this embarrassing condition,
and also some videos:
http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/psoriasis/

To find out about the physical, emotional, psychological, and social toll psoriasis
has on people, check this out:
http://www.biotech-now.org/health/2012/08/august-is-psoriasis-awareness-month-psoriasis-isnt-contagious-but-awareness-is

You can be a beacon of light and compassion to someone with this condition if you know about it.

(photo credit:  http://infusionexpress.com/august-is-psoriasis-awareness-month/)


The first week of August was:

(photo credit:  youtube.com)

The below photo credit is an excellent read.

(photo credit:  http://www.thebump.com/topics/parenting-breastfeeding)

Check out this photo credit site for information such as:
How Breastfeeding Changes as Baby Gets Older.
Top 10 Breastfeeding Problems Solved.
10 Breastfeeding Super Foods.
How Long Should I be Nursing on Each Side
12 Ways to Make Breastfeeding Easier
Unsafe Foods for Nursing Moms
...and lots more pregnancy topics...including maternity fashion!!!

Not everyone has smooth sailing with breastfeeding.
Read this to find out more:  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Warning-Signs-of-Breastfeeding-Problems.aspx

Be sure to come in for a consultation if you have any questions!!!

Thank you again and always to all of our friends and supporters!
We appreciate all your help!

Have a nice day and stay healthy!
You know what to do if you're feeling sick or have questions!



For info on staying healthy in your later years, read the below photo credit.

(photo credit:  http://goweloveit.info/health-and-fitness/how-to-stay-healthy-and-happy-in-your-later-years/)

Uterine Prolapse Prevention Program--Part 1

We are proud to present to you Part 1 of the report of our Uterine Prolapse Prevention Program.

You may have heard that uterine prolapse is a huge health problem in Nepal.
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/9/uterine-prolapsethehiddenagonyofnepalesewomen.html

We are thankful for medical teams who give of their time and medical expertise, and using their own
financial support, come and do surgery for uterine prolapse victims, many of whom have
been acutely suffering in silence for many years.

To read more about their work, check out the websites of these teams:

Centura Global Health Initiatives:
https://www.centuraglobalhealth.org/CGH/Home/

Vrouwen voor Vrouwen...or Women for Women in English.
This organization is from Holland and their website is in Dutch.
Below is the translated link.  If you have trouble, use your own translator.
https://translate.google.com.np/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.vrouwenvoorvrouwen.nl/&prev=search

Open Heart International:
http://www.ohi.org.au/

If you missed it, see our June 6, 2016, post for a uterine prolapse patient story.

However, treatment is something done after the fact.  Prevention can open up the world
to upcoming generations of young Nepalese women who won't have to suffer as their
mothers, grandmothers, aunts, friends, etc. have done for countless years.

Prevention and educational programs are necessary for this reason.

Here is a long, but comprehensive study about prevention:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3422110/

Knowing the necessity of joining the other organizations with prevention programs,
Scheer Memorial Hospital was able to launch its own Uterine Prolapse Prevention Program.

Here, in quotes, are details from the official report written by Mr. Sundar Thapa,
Senior Executive Officer and director of the program.

"As a country, Nepal faces many health challenges.  A major affliction affecting many women is the wide-spread problem of uterine or pelvic organ prolapse.  This disorder results from the heavy labor and the societal roles of Nepali women, in addition to the lack of proper nutrition.  Carrying heavy loads, returning to manual labor soon after child birth, home childbirth deliveries, and social taboos are also major contributing factors.

        "Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International NGOs (INGOs) traditionally concentrate their efforts on treatment programs rather than pursuing the more effective prevention programs.  In collaboration with the Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Finland, Scheer Memorial Hospital sought a different approach.  We initiated an educational project (Uterine Prolapse Prevention Program or UP3) to train Female Community Health Volunteers, with three-four volunteers chosen from each Village Development Committee and Health Teachers from each of the government run secondary/higher secondary schools within each district.

Dr. Dale Mole', Scheer Memorial Hospital's CEO, signs the agreement between

Scheer Memorial Hospital and ADRA Finland to implement the program.

(photo credit:  ADRA Finland)

(Note:  We want to thank the Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Finland's Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the financial and emotional support they gave us to have the chance to give educational information to Nepal's next generation.  We also thank all those all over the world who also support us, not only financially, but also prayerfully!  Thank you!)

         "Prior to conducting training sessions for Female Community Health Volunteers and Health Teachers, an orientation program was conducted for district officials such as the Chief District Officer, Local Development Officer, District Health Officer, and District Education Officer.  Other concerned officials, as well as local media, also attend the orientation and education programs which provided a broad overview of the project and its objectives. 

"The Training for Fieldwork Trainers or Training of Trainers was conducted for our selected candidates by a team of experts provided by Mrs. Aune Greggas (Finland).  A large Finnish contingent was augmented by local experts at Scheer Memorial Hospital.  

Some of the participants:

(photo credit:  ADRA Finland)

"The first phase of intensive training was conducted from 18 – 20 March 2015 at SMH.  The team consisted of the following experts:

·         ""Mrs. Ritva Kuusisto – Midwife & Public Health Nurse and Trainer: She provided instruction on the uterus from conception to delivery, physiologic changes that occur with pregnancy, and what steps are important for a healthy mother and baby.  

·         "Mrs. Harriet Fagerholm – Physiotherapist: With the assistance of her son, Andreas Fagerholm as a translator, explained the importance of Kegel's exercise in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and its role in the prevention of pelvic organ prolapse.

·         "Mr. Ben Greggas – Program strategist: Provided an overview of the benefits, including the economic advantages, of preventing pelvic organ prolapse.  He provide a comprehensive overview of often ignored or rarely considered aspects of the benefits derived from prevention programs.

·         "Mrs. Uma Thapa, Director of Nursing at SMH - Mrs. Aune Greggas had asked her to present in Nepali all the most important topics from her health education workbook "Healthy and Happy Nepal". The workbook and the PowerPoint-lectures have been translated into Nepali and they will help the participants to find good sources of materials for health education to live healthy.  

·         "An additional aspect of this training session was the inclusion of two nursing students from Diaconia University of Applies Sciences (Finland), Hanna Maasola and Reija Koivukangas, who were able to assist with the program evaluation and measures of success."

Here is the main team from Finland, left to right,

Mrs. Ritva Kuusisto, Harriet and Andreas Fagerholm, Aune and Ben Greggas

(photo credit:  ADRA Finland)

Again, we want to thank them for coming and for helping us get this program up and running!

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Blessings to all of our friends and supporters!

July 2016 Health Calendar

July is International Group B Strep Awareness Month

(photo credit:  https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/2562-group-b-strep-awareness-month)

This is something very important to learn about.

(photo credit:  http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/what-is-group-b-strep/)

Do you know what Group B Strep is?  If not, we invite you to read the above photo credit.

This website has all the information you need to know, including the following brochure:

http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/GBS_Awareness_brochure_V10.pdf

This information is too critical to not know about!

Read the below photo credit for an informational article that's easy to read:

(photo credit:  http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/groupb.html)

On a side note, that page has a very interesting link:

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy-calendar-intro.html

What is it?  It's a Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar!

It's very interesting!!!

Check it out!


July 28 was World Hepatitis Day

(photo credit:  http://www.who.int/campaigns/hepatitis-day/2016/event/en/)

The photo credit is from the World Health Organization's website and not only 

has lots of information, it also has numerous important links, such as:

http://www.who.int/features/qa/76/en/ 

which answers the question, "What is hepatitis?"

This website:  http://www.firstpost.com/living/world-hepatitis-day-here-is-what-you-should-know-about-the-silent-killer-disease-2920692.html as you can see, tells you what you should know!

The Hepatitis B Foundation's website also has more information

than you can imagine:  http://www.hepb.org/

including pages for adults, children, and pregnant women.

This page:  http://www.hepb.org/resources-and-support/patient-stories/

is full of patient stories.  Very interesting.

Want to learn about hepatitis in Nepal?  Check out this article, which is three years old,

but still relevant:

http://nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/2013-jun-21-buzz-holding-off-hepatitis,510

 (photo credit:  http://nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/hepatitis-in-Nepal,1346)

The article is the above photo credit is two years old, but also still relevant.
You will also find information about avoiding hepatitis and protecting yourself
and your beloved family.

Don't forget to come in for a consultation if you have questions.
You don't have to be sick to have a question and answer appointment.

As you move into August, please stay healthy!

Here are some summer health tips:
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/Residents/HealthyActive/Pages/August.aspx

and http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20930813,00.html
Picture from this page:

You will learn about summer food poisoning.  Important!

Have a nice day!

As usual, we want to thank all of our friends and supporters
for your generous donations which keep us running!

Patient Stories--Knee Injury & Physio

Knee Injury!!!

(photo credit:  http://www.byllp.com/en/knee-injuries/)

Wow, if you've ever injured your knee,  you know that it can be disabling!

If you haven't, man, you don't know what you're missing! Seriously, it's nothing to laugh about.
When everything is going well, you take your knees for granted.  When you injure one or both knees,
you realize:  http://thoughtcatalog.com/brandon-gorrell/2014/03/10-problems-only-people-with-knee-injuries-understand/

Your whole life is affected. 

Here is an overview:  http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/knee-problems-and-injuries-topic-overview

That website also has many links with such topics as Exercises, Dos and Don'ts,
a Sports Injury Quiz, Healthy Aging, and Joint Health Tips.  Check it out!

Here is Subritra and her husband.  Look at that smile!
Why is she smiling?  Read on!

One day Subritra was out collecting food for her animals, like women do every day in Nepal.

As we have all done at one time or another, she slipped and fell.
There was a sharp pain in her knee!  Ouch!  It somehow seemed different from other times she had fallen.  However, life goes on and Subitra limped painfully home.
Her family helped do some of her chores so she could rest her knee, but it soon became apparent
that a visit to the doctor was in order.

For ten years she went from hospital to hospital looking for relief.  TEN YEARS!  However, her days were filled with hopelessness and frustration.  When you're a busy wife and mother, having constant pain
while you take care of your family can be physically and emotionally draining.

http://blog.muellersportsmed.com/what-to-do-during-and-after-your-knee-injuries

http://www.drdavidgeier.com/signs-knee-injury-serious/

Eventually, after the above mentioned ten years had gone by, Scheer Memorial Hospital
became the next hospital in line! 

Dr. Prameed Pilli, orthopedic surgeon, diagnosed PCL.

What is PCL?  Read here to find out:  http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00420


Yes, as you may have imagined, her injury, old though it was, needed to be operated on.
After surgery, Dr. Pilli sent her home with instructions to rest until it was time for physical therapy.

Yes, Physical Therapy is important!
Read here for information:  http://www.burke.org/blog/2015/10/10-reasons-why-physical-therapy-is-beneficial/58

and here:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160645.php

Here is our Physical Therapy, or Physiotherapy, team,

and our Physiotherapy Department.

Mr. Dinesh Chataut, head of the Department of Physiotherapy, seen here with the now happy couple,

put Sumitra on an intense physiotherapy program.  Even though it was understandably
painful, Sumitra knew it would be the best course of action, and she faithfully stuck
to the program.

You know the saying:

(photo credit:  youtube.com)

It's true!

 Also:

(photo credit:  pinterest.com)

Yes, if you noticed Subrita's smile, you'll know why!  Her persistence paid off!
Determination is worth it!  She finally feels like her old self again!  Her family is glad to have Sumitra walking around the house and doing her chores with a smile on her face instead of a grimace!

Do you fix your own brakes?
If not, don't fix your own medical problems!  See your doctor, and when advised,
see your physiotherapist!  http://www.idahopt.com/dont-fix-your-own-brakes/
You many accidentally make things worse if you don't know what you're doing!
 

Exercising incorrectly could also cause knee pain.
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/7-workout-routines-secretly-causing-knee-pain

Come in for a consultation!  What can it hurt?

Read this photo credit:
 http://fitstopphysicaltherapy.com/2015/05/6-signs-that-you-need-to-go-see-a-physical-therapist/

Physical Therapy is not only for adults!

Read this photo credit:  http://ptsolutions.com/the-importance-of-pediatric-physical-therapy/
for information.

Again, come in if you have questions.
Thank you for reading this!
 We also really thank our supporters who keep our hospital running!
THANK YOU!

June 2016 Health Calendar

Now that it's July, let's take a look back at health issues that were emphasized in June
and you can see how well informed you are!


(photo credit:  http://partnersinfreedomnj.com/june-is-mens-health-month/)

Sometimes men neglect their health!  Come on, you know you do!
It's not unmanly to see a doctor!  It's important!

Don't be this person...



(photo credit:  whisper.sh)

 Read  http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health
for information, including many links with such topics as
Chronic Diseases in Men, Screening Information, Tips for Healthy Living,
Top Ten Causes of Death in Men, and even For Women Only!  Ladies, don't miss this!
There are also links with information about prostate and testicular cancer.
Just because it's not talked about much, doesn't mean it isn't around.  It is and it's important to know.

Did you catch this article last year?  If not, please read it.
https://thehimalayantimes.com/health/never-ignore-prostate-problems/

The following article, from The Nepali Man is an amazing article with so much important information.
Please do yourself and favor and read it.
http://tnm.com.np/a-cancer-overlooked-and-historys-greatest-health-epidemic-prostate-cancer-hivaids/


The last week of June was
Worldwide Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

If you don't know the story of Helen Keller, please do yourself a favor--grab a drink and a snack, and settle down to read the amazing story of a little blind and deaf, yes, blind AND deaf girl who became a world renowned advocate for disabled people.


(photo credit:  quotesgram.com)

http://www.biography.com/people/helen-keller-9361967

http://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/helenkellerbio/helen_keller_birthplace2_bio.htm


Here's the website for the Nepal Association of the Blind, an important association
for those who really need help.  With help, they can thrive as well as anyone can!
http://www.nabnepal.org/


(photo credit:  http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2013/06/deaf-blindness-awareness-week.html)

Yes, there are organizations helping the deaf in Nepal, such as the
National Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nepal.
http://nadhnepal.weebly.com/index.html

This website post, Being Deaf in Nepal, has lots of great links.
http://gurkhatech.com/blog/being-deaf-in-nepal/

The following organization is helping disabled students in Nepal.
http://www.nepalyouthfoundation.org/programs/disabled-students/

If you're ever having a bad day, just be thankful that you're not disabled!

(photo credit:  pinterest.com)

Be thankful for all you have--especially your health!

(photo credit:  pinterest.com)

This July, keep this in mind:

(photo credit:  quotesgram.com)

Have a nice day full of blessings!

Thank you to all of our supporters!

High Blood Pressure..and a Free Check!

If the words High Blood Pressure don't scare you, they should!

What's the big deal?

According to the World Life Expectancy website, Nepal's three leading causes of death, in this order, are lung disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.  Read about it, and the other 

causes of death, here:  http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/nepal

Coronary heart disease and stroke can be directly linked to high blood pressure.
For information, click here:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868

 Do you know enough about high blood pressure to be able to have an informed conversation?

If not, check this out and read the photo credit below the picture.

(photo credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension)

What about here in Nepal?
Yes, it's here...it's killing people everywhere.

The following article by Dr. Raja Ram Dhungana gives some scary statistics,
but also gives us some ideas on how to stay healthy!  It's worth a look!
http://mypublichealthblog.com/?p=162

This is why it's so important to know your blood pressure.
It's not called the Silent Killer for nothing!

This is an important read:
http://www.secondscount.org/treatments/treatments-detail-2/high-blood-pressure--your-health-managing-silent-k-2#.V2_VO_krLIU

This link http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13118
has more information, plus a slide show, a salt quiz, and exercise tips.

We are pleased to announce that we were able to host a Free Blood Pressure Screening Camp
on June 8, 2016.    We also tested blood sugar
 
  (photo credit:  pinterest.com)

...and offered electrocardiograms for those who were interested.
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrocardiogram has lots of valuable info.

80 people were able to come and take advantage of this camp!

Four of them discovered they had high blood sugar!  What a blessing that they came!
The sooner you discover this, the sooner you can start medication and life style changes.
http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/newly-diagnosed/getting-started/10-things-to-do-when-you-find-out-you-have-diabetes#

68 folks had high blood pressure!

Imagine if they had not come by for the screening!

(photo credits:  Mrs. Susen Mole')

We thank our donors, who made who made this even possible
and our doctors and nurses who added to their work day with pleasure.

We thank all who came by and we urge those who received medicine to keep coming back
for more as needed.  Sometimes these medicines must continue for life
and be closely monitored.

If you missed this camp, you can still come by for a regular appointment
to have these tests and any others that may be necessary for you.
Our goal is to see you healthy and happy!!!

Blessings to all!

Patient Stories--Uterine Prolapse

Here is S*...

(*not her real initial)

...who is one of the ladies who has benefited from uterine prolapse surgery

at Scheer Memorial Hospital.  Her smile shows her happiness since she has been able to live her life to the fullest again, pain free--after many, many years of suffering!

Her story is typical.  She was married at age 20, and the young couple started their family right away.  Pregnancy did not keep her out of the fields.

Have you read about this?  It's an important article about pregnancy in Nepal:  http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26154092

S. had her babies, five in all, at home, and like many Nepali girls, was assisted by a neighbor.  She never saw a doctor, midwife, or even a nurse.  Again, like so many Nepali girls,
only had advice from her mother.

She felt lucky because all of her babies lived and she didn't have to go back to the field to work until 15 days after each birth.  Many girls do not have this luxury and must start working sooner.  She also didn't have to carry heavy loads on her backs, which is very common in Nepal.  whether you're pregnant or not, or even if you've just recently delivered.

Here's another very important article about pregnancy in Nepal.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/07/what-pregnancy-is-like-in-nepal/277287/

However, even though she was able to wait 15 days after giving birth before going back to the fields, S. did have to work quite hard, as was necessary, and she was soon experiencing pain that increased every day.  What to do?  There was only one thing:  Grin and bear it, as the saying goes.

Yes, she continued with her life, continued to have children, and continued to smile
and pretend she wasn't in pain.

It was hard to convince her husband that she needed to go to a hospital, but he finally consented, realizing that she really was always uncomfortable and in pain, and she was able to go to Kathmandu, where a "round thing" was put inside her.
http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/vaginal-pessaries
However, she still had pain.  She went back two more times for a reinsertion, but she still had pain.  Thinking that it was just her lot in life, S. learned to live with the pain.

Many studies estimate that approximately 600,000 women in Nepal suffer

from this condition.  The following article is very telling...

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

and so is this one...

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/9/uterine-prolapsethehiddenagonyofnepalesewomen.html

One day a neighbor told S. about a uterine prolapse women's health team that was coming to Scheer Memorial Hospital in Banpea.  Would she, should she, try again?  Her daughter and some friends convinced her to go and see if she qualified.  "What could it hurt?  They can only say, 'No.' "  By this time, she had been living with pain for about 30 years!

"I'll take a chance and go," she said.  What happened?  Well, did you see her smile in the above pic?
Happiness happened!
She felt better immediately and is very satisfied.  Wow!  What a difference!
She now feels like a young girl again and happily does her chores!
She can even enjoy playing with her nine grandchildren now!

S. also has some advice for pregnant ladies:  Go to a hospital or birthing center.
Take advantage of Nepal's Safe Motherhood Program, http://safemotherhood.org.np/.
Make sure you get in all your doctor visits.
Talk with you friends and be supportive of each other.  REST after giving birth!
Seek medical help if you experience any problems, as soon as the problems present themselves.
Don't wait so long like I did.  You DON'T have to live with pain!

She wants to give a big THANK YOU to the women's health teams who come to Nepal!

We are blessed and happy to report that several medical teams visit us to perform surgeries to help these ladies.  Recently, two of the teams have been here.  The team members who come choose to have a working vacation and not only fund their own expenses, but also fund the surgeries.
You can see why we are so happy to be able to help those in need via their help.

One recent team was Australia's Open Heart International.  This organization, as their website states, treats, teaches, and empowers!

(photo credits:  Dr. R. Ruiz Diaz)

To learn more about their work, see videos, read their blog posts, and see their photo galleries, check out the Nepal section of their website (or also check out their other projects):
http://www.ohi.org.au/think-our-locations-nepal/

If you are a qualified medical professional, with interest in joining one of their teams,
click here:  http://www.ohi.org.au/volunteer.html


We were also recently blessed by the presence of Centura Global Health Initiatives Women's Health Team who performed the same surgeries.  Read about their work here:
https://www.centuraglobalhealth.org/cgh/projects/nepal/

(photo credits:  Dr. D. Watson)

On their website, there's also a place for qualified medical professionals to click who are interested
in joining one of their teams.  Their next visit to Nepal will be in October.

We want to thank all the medical teams who come here again:  THANK YOU!!!

We hope to see you again soon!