One of South Asia’s poorest countries, Nepal is best known for its diverse topography and its majestic mountain range- the Himalayas. Nidan (निदान), meaning ‘cure,’ is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious, non-political organization in Nepal that focuses on preventive health, primary health care, and maternal and child health in Nepali communities. With support from GHETS, Nidan set up a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) and hired a community health worker and a visiting doctor in a rural village called Dhanauji in the southern plains of Nepal, a forgotten and underserved corner of the country that has fallen behind in all developmental advances.
On March 30, 2013, Nidan inaugurated their COPC amidst hopeful joy and excitement among the villagers in Dhanauji. During the program, speeches were given by members of the community who expressed great enthusiasm and support for the project. They responded very positively to the speeches given by Nidan team members. One villager commented: “Very few people come back to their communities and do something for the people there. I am overjoyed to see such a great initiative in our village. There are so many health problems here and we have nowhere to turn to. Nidan has given us new hope. I am very happy and hopeful that this clinic will bring positive changes to our village.”
Nidan now plans to partner with a government nursing school- ‘Janaki Nursing College’ to use the COPC as a training center for community level health workers. They will also conduct a thorough Community Diagnosis survey to assess the greatest health needs of the population in order to design projects that address these needs.
Women listening to inauguration speeches, standing apart from where the men sat.
On the right, the oldest person in the village and chief guest for inauguration.
Audience members listening to speeches
Audience members listening intently to inauguration speech by Dr. Aditi Giri
Children attack the biscuit bowl
Setting up loud speakers on nearby trees
Old man listening
Woman in audience.
Dr. Aditi Giri addresses the audience
One of the village elders giving a speech while others supervise the program.
One of the women from the Nidan Dhanauji Subcommittee giving a speech.
Dr. Aditi Giri talks to patient
Dr. Prasana Khatiwoda talks to patient
Dr. Prashant Khatiwada conversing with Mr. Jibendra Jha, COPC overseer and paramedic
A scene from the village. Stacked on the left are cow dung with straw, used as fuel for cooking
Members of the Nidan central team with Dhanauji Subcommittee members.
