Our Country Director and I had the honor of visiting Dhulikhel Hospital this week to meet with staff members and Administrative Director, Dr. Rajendra Koju. Dhulikhel is a not-for-profit, non-governmental hospital that offers affordable prices to its patients and manifests a singular vision of high quality and equitable care in rural Nepal, representing much of what Nyaya Health aspires to. Being sick is one of the most terrifying experiences in patients’ and families’ lives, and it is clear—from the professional staff, the beautifully tiled floors, the foliage—that Dhulikhel does their best to provide an environment that minimizes fear and maximizes compassion. Dr. Koju expressed some of the principles that guide their work and their management practices:
-Start with community vision
-Transparency
-Recruit local talent
-Decentralized management with decreased hierarchy
-Leadership with a clear sense of mission and vision
-Take challenges as opportunities
-Foster an enjoyable workplace.
We signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dhulikhel that will enable us to partner in receiving training and technical assistance, especially for our surgical services.
Please see a slideshow of our visit:
Do pay a visit to their website: www.dhulikhelhospital.org and visit whenever you are in the Kathmandu area. Dhulikhel represents the best of community-driven development and healthcare in Nepal.
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Duncan Maru, MD, PhD is a co-founder and President of Nyaya Health. He is currently a resident in the Internal Medicine – Pediatrics program and fellow in Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Boston.
