Case Study 2 :
A Potentially Fatal Delay in Reaching
Health Care, Kailali District
On
the 31st of Bhadra 2003, 19 year old Janaki Dhungana of Baliaya
Village Development Committee (VDC) fainted due to severe abdominal
pain. She was in her eighth month of pregnancy. By the time her
family decided to take her to the local health post, it was already
4pm. When they reached Tikapur hospital, it was 8.30pm.
A staff nurse examined Janaki and told her husband that she
needed a caesarian section. The nurse referred her to the Seti
Zonal Hospital, but, as it was already late evening, there was
no possibility of transport. Unfortunately, the next 3 days were
Bandhs (transport strikes) across Nepal, so Janaki could not
move from Tikapur.
The obstetric complications increased. Janaki's family members
searched for an ambulance, but were unsuccessful. She badly needed
blood and, luckily, this was available from the Nepal Red Cross
Society (NRCS) in Tikapur.
It was not until the third day that Janaki reached Seti Zonal
Hospital in a Red Cross Ambulance. She had had an ectopic pregnancy.
A skilled team of doctors and nurses performed the appropriate
surgery and saved her and her baby's lives. Both are now in good
health.
After the experience, Hem Raj Timilsina, a relative of Janaki,
said that he was extremely grateful to all the staff at Tikapur
hospital, NRCS, Seti Zonal Hospital and everyone else who helped
to save Janaki's life. He said that he would never forget the
help that they had received from so many people. |
