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Training for Life - in Nepal
Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara has been open for over 40 years and serves a large population. Some five years ago it decided that the best way to prevent further impairment and disability among leprosy sufferers was by teaching people how to look after themselves rather than by just caring for them.
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A SELF CARE UNIT was set up within the hospital but it became apparent that by making it self contained better results would be achieved. Some old buildings were allocated to the unit as a basis and plans were made for a new toilet block and a training room as well as renovation and redecoration of the old buildings. St Francis Leprosy Guild were asked to help and we agreed to a grant of £14,000....
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This may not sound much, but it paid for the buildings referred to above, furniture for the buildings, food for 15 people, two meals a day plus two lots of tea, for a year and the salaries of two auxiliary nurses for a year.
The unit is now running well and is capable of expansion, all the patients in the programme are together and can support each other but are also within the main hospital grounds in case of need. There is a constantly changing population as it appears to take 6 - 8 weeks to train each patient.
The training is very specific to help patients to live useful and fulfilling lives while keeping themselves free of any increased disability.
The programme includes:
- Daily care of hands and feet supervised by a nurse.
- Cooking classes emphasising prevention of cuts and blisters by use of the correct tools.
- Cleaning the house and surrounds by use of adapted tools.
- Farming and gardening with special attention to avoiding injuries.
- Daily group of discussions to share problems and ideas.
Cured but partially disabled leprosy patients are thus enabled to recover self esteem and become useful members of society.
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Directing you to the St Francis Leprosy Guild Website, thank you for your patience.
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