WHY NARAHARINATH, KALIKOT?
Naraharinath Rural Municipality is a remote administrative division in Kalikot District, Karnali Province, Nepal. Established on March 10, 2017, as part of Nepal's federal restructuring, it amalgamated the former Village Development Committees of Kumalgaun, Kotbada, Rupsa, Malkot, and Lalu into a single local government unit. The municipality spans an area of 143.86 square kilometers and is divided into nine wards, with its administrative center located in Kumalgaun. As per the 2021 census, Naraharinath has a population of approximately 22,458 residents, with a nearly equal gender distribution. The region is mountainous, prone to landslides, and depends heavily on subsistence farming, livestock, and medicinal herb collection. Infrastructure, healthcare, and education services are limited. The health status of Naraharinath Rural Municipality in Kalikot is poor, reflecting the broader challenges faced by remote areas of Karnali Province. Healthcare
facilities are limited, with only one primary health care center and a few health posts serving the entire population. Access to medical care is difficult due to rugged terrain and lack of transportation infrastructure. Diseases such as kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), pneumonia, and diarrhea are prevalent, and malnutrition among children remains a serious concern. Child health indicators show high rates of infant mortality, malnutrition, and communicable diseases. Frequent medical camps are needed to fill healthcare gaps, as many residents otherwise go without proper diagnosis and treatment. Overall, Naraharinath struggles with insufficient health services, making it a priority area for health interventions and community support.
OVERVIEW OF 34TH CAMP
Ek Ek Paila conducted 3 day- outreach comprehensive medical and surgical camp at Yogi Naraharinath Adharbhut Aspatal,
Naraharinath, Kalikot from April 6 to April 8, 2025 free of cost. This Outreach comprehensive health service (OCHS) was
organized in collaboration with Bhotkhola rural municipality. In the span of 3 days, Ek Ek Paila Foundation rendered services to 3436 individuals. Approximately 5000 cross-consultations were done within different departments. The medical and surgical services provided a wide range of specialties, including Ophthalmology, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat), Dental, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dermatology, General Medicine, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, General Surgery, Radiology and Pathology. Free medicines, santitary pads, toothpastes and glasses were also provided to patients.
OPHTHALMOLOGY:
The total number of patients examined : 799.
A total of 108 eyes (106 patients) underwent cataract surgery and 3
excision of Pterygium.
Among the patients that underwent Cataract surgery, 2 patients underwent bilateral cataract surgery.
Many patients with cataracts also had Pseudoexfolation Syndrome.
Among other eye conditions, Presbyopia and dry eyes were commonly seen.
ORTHOPEDICS:
A total of 719 orthopedic consultations were conducted during the camp.
The majority of patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints such as osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, low back pain, multiple joint pain, and various forms of spondylosis.
These conditions were primarily related to the physically strenuous lifestyles and harsh terrain of the region. To address these issues.
procedures including intra-articular injections, cast and slab applications, and implant removals were performed.
1 patient with patellar instability was referred to National trauma center for further assessment and treatment.
GENERAL SURGERY
Total consultations : 267
General trends of cases- General surgical cases like Hernia, Benign anorectal disease (hemorrhoids, anal fissure) , BPH,
Cholelithiasis.
Many benign and possibly malignant swellings/lumps in various parts of the body, more than the usual incidence, were encountered.
DERMATOLOGY
Total 393 patients were examined out of which 41% were male and 59% were female. The commonest
diagnosis was eczema. Two common causes of eczema were photosensitivity and dry skin. Infections and
infestations were seen in 22.7% of patients. Fungal infections were the commonest followed by scabies.
GENERAL MEDICINE
A total of 940 consultations were conducted, reflecting significant unmet healthcare needs in the area. Among the services provided,
18 upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies were performed, with common findings including hiatus hernia, gastric polyps, and gastritis.
The most frequently diagnosed conditions were hypertension, acid peptic disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bronchial asthma, hemorrhoids, and migraine headaches.
These findings highlight the burden of both non-communicable and gastrointestinal diseases in the community, underscoring the need for improved primary and specialized healthcare services.
DENTAL SURGERY
Total consultations: 452
Total extractions: 221
Total restorations: 26
Most individuals require treatment.
High caries rates observed among both adults and children.
Nursing bottle caries prevalent due to prolonged breastfeeding.
Many children have gross decay in permanent first molars, possibly linked to parents working away and poor dietary habits.
Lack of dental health awareness, especially in the elderly, compounded by high smoking rates in females.
Two cases of amelogenesis imperfecta (genetic enamel disorder).
Achievement
Successfully addressed concerns of a young parent with neonatal tooth seen in her 10 days old child (superstitious belief in the community regarding neonatal teeth). Distributed 500 toothpastes among patients.
PEDIATRICSA total of 232 pediatric consultations were carried out during the medical camp in Naraharinath, revealing a range of developmental, nutritional, and congenital issues.
Among the key findings were 10 cases of malnutrition and 9 children with neurological concerns, including developmental delays, hydrocephalus special educational needs, cerebral palsy, seizures, and abnormal neurological presentations.
Cardiac issues were identified in three children—one symptomatic and two asymptomatic.
Congenital conditions included cleft lip and a probable case of hypothyroidism, while two children presented with chromosomal disorders, specifically Down syndrome.
Other cases included five requiring surgical evaluation, one child with thyroiditis, and a child showing gross hepatosplenomegaly with anemia.
EAR, NECK AND THROAT (E.N.T)
Total Consultations: 256
Total ENT Surgeries: 22
Endoscopic Surgeries: 18
Minor Surgeries: 4
Most of the common diseases were presbycusis, deviated nasal septal, sensory neural hearing loss, chronic otitis media, upper respiratory tract infection, impacted wax.
These findings indicate a substantial prevalence of both chronic and age-related ENT conditions, reflecting the need for regular specialist outreach and better access to diagnostic and surgical ENT care in this underserved community.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Total Consultation: 368
Age group: 14 to 72 years
Activities included:
Counseling on Menstrual Hygiene and menstrual pads distributed.
Counseling on cervical cancer screening and prevention.
RADIOLOGY
A total of 274 ultrasound procedures were performed during the medical camp, covering various regions such as the abdomen, pelvis, breast, neck, and obstetric scans.
The most frequently observed findings included adnexal cysts, bulky uterus, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), cholelithiasis (gallstones), hepatic hemangioma, gallbladder polyps,
sebaceous cysts, uterine fibroids, lipomas, fatty liver disease, and varicose veins.
These results reflect a high prevalence of gynecological, hepatobiliary, renal, and soft tissue conditions in the population, underscoring the importance of diagnostic imaging access in identifying and managing a wide spectrum of diseases in remote communities.
PATHOLOGY
316 patients had done lab work up.
564 lab tests were done.
Lab tests which were done during this camp: CBC, blood urea, blood creatinine, blood glucose, urine routine, liver function test, urine pregnancy test, serology-hepatitis b-HBsAg, Hepatitis c-HCV, HIV.
HIV/HBSAG/HCV Serology- 234 ( Hepatits B Positive-3)
RBS-148
CBC-29
ESR-3
Uric acid-5
Blood grouping-3
Urine routine -52
UPT-5
CRP:12
RA factor-11
Urea:15
Creatinine:18
Blood grouping-3
LFT-10
PT-10
Stool routine-3
Histopathological tests: 25
Pap Smear- 42
PHARMACY
34TH PAILA MEMBERS
1. Dr. Suman S. Thapa- OPHTHALMOLOGY
2. Dr. Sudhamshu KC -GENERAL MEDICINE/HEPATOLOGY
3. Dr. Subodh S. Dhakal- GENERAL MEDICINE/PULMONOLOGY
4. Dr. Bhuban Chapagain- GENERAL MEDICINE
5. Dr. Shristi Shrestha-DERMATOLOGY
6. Dr. Sabina Shah Pahari- PEDIATRICS
7. Dr. Bishika Pun- RADIOLOGY
8. Dr. Sapana Amatya Vaidya- GYNECOLOGY
9. Dr. Madhu PK Tumbahangphe- GYNECOLOGY
10. Dr. Binita Adhikari- DENTAL
11. Dr. Krishna K.C- DENTAL
12. Dr. Kunjan Acharya- ENT
13. Dr. Dipesh Shakya- ENT
14. Dr. Geeta Koju- ENT
15. Dr. Arwinda Shrestha- ORTHOPEDIC
16. Dr. Kishor Bista- ORTHOPEDIC
17. Dr. Bikram Bashukala- GENERAL SURGERY
18. Dr. Ganesh Parajuli- PATHOLOGY
19. Dr. Sujan Vaidya- LOGISTICS
20. Usha Thapa- DENTAL HYGIENIST
21. Mahadip Shrestha- PHARMACY
22. Prashna Pokharel- PHARMACY
23. Sudha Bista- GYNE NURSE
24. Sabina Khadka- ENT NURSE
25. Sanila Khatri-ENT NURSE
26. Ganesh Simkhada- ENT (OT SET UP)
27. Samjhana Khakurel-PATHOLOGY
28. Dipak Bhatta-PATHOLOGY
29. Gopal B.K- ENDOSCOPY ASSISTANT
30. Ashok Pandey-LOGISTICS
31. Ashish Bhattarai-LOGISTICS
32. Philip Hermann Grieb- DOCUMENTATION
33. Juergen Friedrich Altmann DOCUMENTATION
34. Sagun Shrestha- DOCUMENTATION
35. Sania Shrestha- VOLUNTEER
36. Snigdha Shrestha- VOLUNTEER
SURKHET EYE HOSPITAL TEAM
1.Dr. Sabina Parajuli- OPHTHALMOLOGIST
2.Sonima Thapa- OT ASSISTANT
3.Asmita Shrestha-OT ASSISTANT
4.Santosh Pandey- OT RUNNER
5.Pramod Chaudhary- LOCAL ANESTHESIA
6.Manju Giri- OPD & CAMP MANAGEMENT
7.Manish Ramijal-PRE-OPERATIVE CARE, BIOMETRY
8.Puskar Pandey- STERILIZATION,OT SUPPORT
9.Chhabi Upadhaya- ELECTRICITY
10.Surath Rawal- DRIVER
View Report: https://www.ekekpaila.org/single-report/34th-paila-kalikot-report
Watch Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2dax2s138c
