Medical care & rehabilitation changing lives Nepal

Namaste, 

This month has been quiet at the Shelter as it is festival time! Everything stops for two big festivals – Dassein and Tihar - and some of the patient’s at MeRO’s Shelter were able to return home for the festivities.

Little Arya however, remained in hospital. Some of you may recall reading about her in our September newsletter and earlier Facebook posts. We also put out an appeal for funds to cover the costs of her medical care,  and have so far been able to contribute $1100 of an estimated $4000  Our grateful thanks and those of her parents, go to all of you who contributed.

18-month-old Arya was admitted to MeRO's Shelter  in June with congenital hip dysplasia and a complete hip dislocation. This is rarely seen in Western countries as babies are screened within 72 hours of being born, and if diagnosed, are treated with a special splint and/or occasionally surgery.

In Nepal, screening and early intervention may not happen as many regions do not have adequate maternal and health services. This is a tragedy, as hip instability, where the hips can be wiggled in the socket because of loose ligaments, is the most common newborn abnormality affecting approximately 10% of babies. In 90% of cases, the ligaments tighten up naturally after birth but 1% will need treatment and 0.2% will be like Arya and have a completely dislocated hip.

Arya started her medical journey with two weeks of traction. She then had a closed reduction of her hip to try to manipulate it back into the socket. This was followed by six weeks in a special plaster cast. This approach was unsuccessful. She then underwent 8 weeks of traction in hospital and in early November will be operated on again.  This time, surgeons will perform an open reduction of the joint with additional bone surgery, the insertion of metal hardware and ligament tightening.

It will be a long road to rehabilitation for Arya. Her parents did not receive much in the way of support from family or community.  Her plight was perceived to be a punishment from the gods brought upon the family because her mother married a man from a lower caste. Arya’s parents managed to secure a loan for US$200 and travelled to Kathmandu. Her father said “I had already taken a loan of $200 to come to Kathmandu, so how could I possibly manage the huge amount which the hospital told me it would cost for her surgery? I could not stop thinking about this and I felt it was killing me inside.  Every day, I asked many people for a loan, but no one was willing to help me. Also, if I worked for my entire life, I would never be able to pay back this amount".

They are incredibly grateful for your support, and we will keep you posted on the difference your generosity makes to Arya, and so many other patients like her who are admitted to MeRO’s Shelter.

With best wishes and grateful thanks,

Virginia Dixon

President, Roads to Rehab Nepal