Restoring hearing in a remote village to the far West of Nepal

The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s free Medical Camps are highly-regarded in Nepal, with some villagers in remote communities travelling for days to access our first-class treatment. For many, this is the only medical assistance they receive.

Our most recent Medical Camp took place in Musikot, West Rukum in June. The team travelled for over 12 hours to reach the village which was over 260km from their base in Pokhara.

Over the three days, the team saw 855 patients. As well as check-ups, measurements for prosthetics and physiotherapy, they carried out surgery on 54 patients and provided 211 hearing aids.

Bom Bahadur Oli, 62, and his wife Dhan Kumari Oli, 57

Bom Bahadur and Dhan Kumari travelled for two hours by public transport to reach the camp. Bom, a retired teacher, has been struggling with hearing loss for four years, affecting his daily life and communication.

“My hearing gradually worsened over the past four years. I consulted other hospitals and took medications, but the doctors said my ear nerves had shrunk, possibly due to high blood pressure.

Losing my hearing made me reserved and less communicative. Misunderstandings during conversations were common, so I often stayed quiet.”

Dhan Kumari Oli commented:

“When asked a question, he would give unrelated answers due to his hearing problem. While talking he used to gaze and used to be in his own world. Communicating with him was challenging and frustrating. Sometimes, I didn’t feel like talking to him at all.

Now, after receiving the hearing aid, he can hear much better. He’s responding like a normal person again.”

Bom Bahadur Oli:

“I can hear a lot better now. The voices are sharper, and I can hear from a distance. This is my first time using a hearing aid, and it has made a significant difference.

“I found this medical camp very good. I like everything about this medical camp. They are treating people free of cost. The doctors are also specialised doctors. All the staff have come all the way to this place which saved a lot of time, money and efforts of the people here in Rukum.

It feels like you have given another life to the people who came asking for your help. So, thank you very much to the donors. May this medical camp continue helping people. May people who cannot hear get better. So, I hope this effort of theirs can continue. Thank you very much.

Ahiban Oli, 64,

Ahiban travelled from the village of Gharikhola to attend the medical camp. The journey cost him Rs 700 and took over two hours by public transport. Ahiban works on a farm and shares his life with his wife.

Reflecting on his struggles with hearing loss, Ahiban humorously shared, “I didn’t have any quarrels with my wife because I could not understand what she was saying or what she was shouting about.” His laugh echoed the relief of finding a solution to his long-standing problem.

The impact of the hearing aid was immediate and profound. “After getting this hearing aid and listening through it, it has been much better. I can hear more clearly than before. Previously, I couldn’t hear voices from far distances, but now, I can. I can hear you speak clearly, I can hear birds chirp… Now that I can hear better and understand what people are saying, it’s a whole new experience. Before, I couldn’t make out or understand what people were saying or talking about.”

Ahiban expressed his gratitude to the donors and the team behind the medical camp. “I would like to thank the donors. The services, the doctors, and all the staff were good. May good come your way.”

Ganga Pariyar, 8

Ganga travelled for three hours on public transport  with her father and a younger sister to reach the camp.

Manbir Pariyar’s father works in a school as a helper.

“When my daughter was three or four months old, we had high hopes that she would speak, but she didn’t. This has been a problem since her childhood. We didn’t take her to a hospital for a check-up due to lack of time and, primarily, money. Financial issues have prevented us from seeking medical help for her. This is the first time she has been to a medical camp.

The doctors over here have checked her up and given her a hearing aid. Let’s see what will happen. They have given clear instructions on how to use it and we will follow it.

She studies in a school where they use sign language. She lives in a hostel and has been studying there for a year.

I really appreciate this medical camp. It is perfect for people who cannot afford hospital expenses. They even perform surgeries for free. They have given my daughter this expensive hearing aid.

Thank you very much to the donors. You have helped people like us who are very poor and live in such rural parts of Nepal. Despite working so hard tirelessly and shedding their sweat in the UK, you still helped people like us who are deaf, old, and frail with so many problems, in such a remote part of Nepal. You are also helping people who do not have a leg or an arm, changing their lives. So, thank you very much for helping everyone. Despite all the problems and struggles you have, you are still helping us, so we are very happy about that. I hope everyone gets better with the service of this medical camp. We are very happy to receive all the services for free. Thank you.”

Ganesha Malla 19,

Ganesha travelled for four hours on public transport to reach the medical camp.

“I have had this ear problem since childhood. My parents told me that pus used to discharge from my ear since I was a child. I had been going to health posts, but the medicine only worked while I was using it. After that, my ear would swell up again, discharge pus, and hurt. It was difficult.

Luckily, this medical camp came to our village, and I am really grateful for it. I am very happy that I successfully had this surgery. I used to worry a lot and didn’t know what to do. But thankfully, everything went well. I hope my ear problem gets better and also my hearing.

I love everything about this camp. Everything, including the surgery, was free. The medical camp came right to our doorstep, saving a lot of time, money, and effort. I had never thought this was possible.

I would like to thank all the donors who have supported me. There are a lot of people who need help like me, so please come next time to help all the poor and needy people in this district. The doctors and all the staff were really nice. The surgery was also very nice and quick. So, I am grateful to all. Thank you very much.