Nepal's healthcare facilities outside the Kathmandu valley are very poor, with healthposts where they exist, rarely staffed by qualified nurses. Most of the hospitals outside the Valley do not even have qualified doctors working in them.

Deusa is an example of such a village. Whilst there is a healthpost, there is no one employed there. Fortunately there is a lady who knows a bit about giving injections and basic first aid, but otherwise the closest alternative medical care is a day's walk away at the hospital at Phaphlu - where there are no doctors or the next alternative is to fly from Phaphlu to Kathmandu or walk 3 - 4 days to Jiri, where there is the nearest road and transport to Kathmandu.

So anyone that might be interested in providing some training, some healthcare and perhaps education at the local school, for whatever period of time - whether for a few days or longer - maybe on the way to or from a trek in the Everest area, please contact me for further information about this or any other related matter: Marianne Heredge. email m_heredge@yahoo.co.uk  GPO 24529, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Please mention 'Expedition Medicine' in your correspondence.