A two-day health camp in ward 6 of Sinja Rural Municipality in Jumla provided essential medical services to residents grappling with chronic pain and health issues, including bone, knee, and nerve-related ailments.

Aadi Rawat, who had relied on herbal remedies for nearly nine months due to financial constraints and lack of support for hospital visits, heaved a sigh of relief upon receiving treatment from specialist doctors at a local health post.

“I couldn’t afford to travel to a hospital, nor did I have anyone to take me there,” Aadi said. “I endured the pain with herbal medicine at home, but now I’m hopeful of getting better as I could receive treatment from the doctors.”

Dr Poojan K Rokaya, director of the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, led a team of specialists to the village.

“I met a doctor today and got medication. I believe I will recover soon,” said Aadi.

The doctor advised Aadi to visit the hospital in Khalanga for further evaluation, as his condition seemed to involve nerve compression.

Similarly, Aosari Rawat of Sinja-6, who had been suffering from hand and knee pain for six months, had no one to take her to the hospital. “I had to do the household chores on my own while enduring the pain,” she said. “But with the doctors now in the village, I received a checkup and pain-relief medication.”

Maya Damai from Gora village in Sinja-5 had been struggling with uterine problems, including persistent abdominal pain and white discharge, but was unable to reach the district headquarters for treatment. After hearing about the free treatment, she enrolled in health insurance. However, due to financial barriers, she couldn’t afford to travel to the hospital and had been living with the illness.

Sita Rawat of Sinja-6 faced difficulty studying due to a painful lump in her right hand. She returned home happily after undergoing surgery in the village, performed by Dr Rokaya, an orthopaedic specialist.

The health camp, organised by Sinja Rural Municipality, aimed to support those who couldn’t afford the journey to hospitals due to financial and logistical barriers. It offered services in orthopaedics, gynaecology, general medicine, dentistry, counselling, and physiotherapy.

Dr Rokaya said that, unlike regular health camps in more accessible areas, this camp was held in a remote location where such services are seldom available. “This camp allowed people who couldn’t travel to a hospital to receive free treatment without worrying about transportation,” he said.

According to Sinja Rural Municipality Chairman Purna Prasad Dhital, 110 orthopaedic patients received care at the camp, 50 received psychological counselling, 65 underwent minor gynaecological treatments, and 45 got their vitals checked.