Nepal - Samagon medical initiative

Initiated by Russell Brice of FOH, a joint program between World Food Program (WFP), SmileHigh, Nepal Doctors and Himalayan Experience took place in Nepal to bring food and healthcare to remote population.

WFP provided helicopter transport to take 3 doctors and 6 dentists into the remote Samagon village at the foot of Manaslu Peak. The Doctors treated about 700 local people for medical ailments whilst the Dentists presented dental hygiene lectures and treated about 600 people. The WFP as part of its “Food for Work Program” transported and donated about 12 tons of rice to local people in exchange for work on paths, bridges and community projects. Himalayan Experience donated the infrastructure to enable the Doctors and Dentists to be accommodated and temporary clinics.

This program is a wonderful example of co-operation between several parties (international and local organizations, Nepalese and international volunteers, local population, private company...). In view of the success of this operation, FOH and the other actors involved will re-edit this experience in 2010. In addition, Doctors from the Tilgabga Eye Centre in Kathmandu and Doctor Geoffrey Tabing will conducting eye surgery with the local people of Samagon.

Photos taken by Mike Scott of the Taranaki Daily News Online