Posted by Piali Mukhopadhyay
2009 has been a critical year in the growth of Nyaya Health. Our mission to expand access to health care in the Achham district of rural Nepal was further realized with the opening of Bayalpata Hospital this past June. For the first time, the people of Achham have access to a properly functioning hospital, staffed by a dedicated team including two doctors. Since opening the hospital, we have provided completely free medical services and medications to over 7,000 patients, while maintaining the best-equipped laboratory in the Far Western region of Nepal. These achievements have been made possible only through the generous and continued support of our donor base.
Despite successes, Nyaya has been constantly reminded of the severe challenges the people of Achham face. Over the summer, Nyaya staff treated over 500 patients during a cholera epidemic, saving countless lives. More recently, heavy monsoon rains in the month of October destroyed Nyaya’s internet capabilities and rendered large sections of the road to Bayalpata Hospital impassible. Being cut off from the sole transportation route restricted access to critically needed medical supplies, fuel, and food. While the road and other damaged structures have since been repaired, Achhamis now face famine conditions due to the past year’s poor harvest. In order to meet this critical need, Nyaya is developing staff capacity to treat acute malnutrition at the hospital.
In the coming 1-2 years, Nyaya will expand operations to include x-ray and surgical services, as well as comprehensive HIV treatment. We are also widening the scope of our community health programs and working to strengthen our existing partnership with the Nepali government.
Continued donor support is essential for Nyaya to maintain its operations as well as to expand in these critical areas. For the coming year, we have set a fund-raising target of 1.2 million US dollars by June 1, 2010 and are looking to all of our friends and supporters to help us achieve this goal: http://www.nyayahealth.org/donate. Please consider helping us achieve this goal to ensure equitable health access!
In addition to making a donation, Nyaya seeks support in several key ways:
- Getting Nyaya’s website or blog linked through Facebook and other social networks
- Having supporters include an auto-signature in their emails, spreading the word about Nyaya’s work
- Increasing the volume of awareness and fundraising for Nyaya, through emails and letters, phone calls, or in-person meetings
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to hearing from you this coming year! Best regards – The Nyaya Health Team