A three day "Nabil Free Burn Treatment Camp" has been successfully completed at Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi, Kailali. The camp was held from Falgun 12 to 14, during which 65 burn patients received free treatment, according to the bank.
Out of the patients who attended the camp, 20 underwent surgery at Seti Provincial Hospital by senior doctors. Meanwhile, 18 patients with more complex conditions were referred to Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital in Sankhu, Kathmandu for further treatment.
The camp was jointly organized by Nabil Bank, Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, and Seti Provincial Hospital. Patients from various parts of Sudurpaschim Province came to receive treatment. Many of them had been waiting for proper treatment and surgery for a long time and were from underprivileged and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Durga Pandey, one of the beneficiaries, said she received good service through the camp. She had surgery on her five year old daughter's neck, which had been injured in a cooking oil burn two years ago. "Specialist doctors successfully operated on the burn wound caused by oil. I would like to thank the organizers for providing such a facility," she said.
A team of specialist doctors led by Prof. Dr. Ishwar Lohani from Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital provided services at the camp. "We referred patients with complex conditions who required intensive care to our hospital in Kathmandu," Prof. Dr. Lohani said. He noted that burn injuries remain a major problem in Nepal, and that delays in proper treatment, including seeking traditional healers, often worsen the wounds and lead to further complications. He added that the camp helped raise awareness about appropriate treatment.
Bharat Luhar, 42, whose both hands were burned while warming himself by a fire, was referred to Kathmandu for further treatment. He had come to the camp seeking help after his wounds worsened due to lack of timely and proper care. "Senior doctors treated my wounds at the camp, and now I am going to Kathmandu for further treatment," he said.
Under its corporate social responsibility initiative, Nabil Bank organized the camp, which served 65 participants, including 35 men and 30 women. Chief Executive Officer Manoj Kumar Gyawali said that many burn victims in Nepal still lack access to proper treatment. As part of its CSR efforts, the bank first targeted burn victims in remote areas of Sudurpaschim Province through this camp. He stated that the camp was successful and highly effective, as specialist doctors traveled from Kathmandu to provide treatment, and informed that similar camps would be organized in other provinces in the future.
Dr. Hemraj Pandey, Chief Medical Superintendent of Seti Provincial Hospital, said that many people still do not receive proper treatment and that such burn camps provide much needed relief. He described burn treatment as sensitive and urgent and thanked Nabil Bank for its support, expressing hope for continued cooperation in the future.
Alongside the burn camp, a basic burn treatment training program was also conducted at Seti Provincial Hospital. Dr. Raju Bhandari, Deputy Medical Director of Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, provided training to around 50 participants, including doctors, nurses, administrative heads, and surgeons. According to Dr. Bhandari, the training aimed to enhance the skills of hospital doctors and nurses in managing follow up care for burn patients after surgery. "We are confident that after this training, doctors will be able to properly examine, treat, and advise burn patients," he said.
Nabil Bank Limited is a leading commercial bank in Nepal. Through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the bank has been carrying out various social activities aimed at bringing positive change to society. Through Nabil SSE, the bank has made social entrepreneurship, development, and job creation key pillars of its commitment to sustainable development.