Major site update
(Thursday, May 19, 2005)
This time the design has stayed the same... but there's loads of new content and advice. This is based on feedback received from students, doctors and visitors of this site who want to contribute. Here's a summary of what's changed:
- all content has been revised and should be up to date
- the layout has been improved, and loads more photos have been added
- the sections of the site have been changed, hopefully to make all the information more relevant and easy to find
- this latest news section has been added so that it's much easier to see what's changed
- there is now more information on the fundraising aspect of the site - with new ideas of how to get involved. Whether it's donating money or helping to publicise this site, any help would be really appreciated.
There are still a load of ideas to follow, so watch this space. If you have any ideas yourself, please do get in touch. It would be particularly useful to hear from students who have recently been to Nepal or who are currently there, especially with the recent instability of the country. To give an idea of what features are being worked on, here's a list:
- more interactivity so that students and other visitors can file their own reports of their experiences to help others
- more ideas on things to do whilst you're in Nepal, with links to recommended services
- more opportunities for companies or individuals to sponsor the site and help raise funds for the hospital and orphanage
- a medical section to outline the common conditions that are likely to be encountered, and a periodic review of medical literature originating from Nepal
Throughout all this I'm conscious that there are already some excellent sites that offer the above, and it wouldn't be possible for this site to improve on them. The balance between providing concrete information and linking to existing sources will always be considered.
Thanks for all the support that this site has had. Please do get in touch with any comments, criticisms or ideas, as it's great to hear from folk who use this site!
Namaste,
David
Student report
(Friday, March 18, 2005)
Eilidh O'Loughlin, a final year medical student at Aberdeen University was in Nepal at the start of this year. She writes...
"We were there from 20th Dec - 18 Feb. During this time there were lots of bundes (strikes) during which no travel is allowed. This means you cannot get a bus anywhere and there a very few taxis. If you do get a taxi you will pay at least twice usual rate and it is important to remember you are asking people to put their livlihood at risk by asking them to take you anywhere. This is because anyone travelling runs the risk of being pulled over, asked to leave their car and then the car is torched. this is all avoided by adhereing to the bunde so no need to worry. there is no sense of danger and while we were trekking in annapurna for 12 days we didn't meet any maoists.
Other things to note - lots of people speak english and doctors have to but ward rounds are still conducted half in Nepali, and most patient consultations are too. It is useful to learn a bit, at least enough to ask if you can examine a patient. Notes are kept in English which is handy, but patients have thier own notes and there is no record kept at hospital which may make projects more difficult.
In smaller places like Bhaktapur everything shuts by 8 so take plenty of reading material. Try the food in the wee curtained 'bhattis' as it is not only dirt cheap but the best you will find. Find out from your hosts how much things should cost i.e. taxi fares and dont get too badly ripped off - but remember our money goes a long way so don't be too stingy either. Other tips: it is rude to pat a child on the head in Hindu religion, always walk clockwise around a buddist stupa........ Have a great time. The people are friendly and hospitable and it is a great country."
