Health and hygiene
Saving lives and preserving the health of the most vulnerable
In both India and Nepal, the regions in which we are active are confronted with a significant lack of access to health care, both materially, geographically and financially.
One figure : A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that 4.2% of India’s population, or more than 50 million people, fall into poverty every year because of high health costs.
Karuna Shechen ensures the development of appropriate solutions to save lives, alleviate suffering and preserve the health of the most vulnerable. Our clinics and health posts are open every day, without interruption, offering diagnostic, general, specialised and alternative medical services.
Prevention being the best medicine, our teams redouble their efforts to raise awareness among our beneficiaries about malnutrition, menstruation, maternity, breastfeeding and infantile diseases. Finally, we offer farmers ways to improve the health of their animals.
We work closely with local authorities to also intervene in remote community health posts through the provision of equipment and training of health workers.
Our impact in 2021
39,635 people treated
19,708 women and girls educated on menstrual hygiene
8,276 health and first aid kits distributed
One of our programmes in India
Specialized medicine – Reducing pain with physiotherapy
In India, many patients overuse drug solutions due to their lack of awareness of other treatments and alternatives.
Physiotherapy treats certain diseases, injuries and deformities by physical methods (massage, heat treatments, exercises) rather than by drugs or surgery. This trains the body’s muscles to better cope with chronic pain instead of suppressing it with painkillers. With physiotherapy, caregivers can improve the quality of life of their patients with nerve or muscle problems.
I have been working at Karuna-Shechen for almost four years and I feel privileged to be able to help those in need through physiotherapy. We offer them a non-medicated alternative to alleviate their ailments, normally unaffordable elsewhere. I am passionate about my work because I work in a great environment and with motivated colleagues. I love to see patients regain their confidence and enjoyment of life after recovering from a serious illness.
Tabish Hussein, physiotherapist in Bihar – India
We combine physiotherapy with acupuncture, which together are very effective: patients who benefit from these treatments are less sensitive to pain and affected by chronic diseases, such as kidney or liver disease. In addition to providing long-term results, these methods have no side effects.
In 2021, 2,855 patients have been treated with physiotherapy.
I support specialized medicine project
One of our programmes in Nepal
Veterinary camps – Alleviating animal suffering
In many remote areas of Nepal, animals suffer from health problems due to a lack of information, medicines and equipment.
To improve animal welfare in rural areas, mobile veterinary clinics work closely with farmers to raise awareness and provide appropriate medicines. Farmers are also provided with equipment to care for their livestock, such as tarpaulins to build shelters. Keeping animals healthy allows them to have better food and working conditions :
Life as a farmer is difficult in the mountainous areas. I sell wool, fertiliser made from their dung and sheep. With this income I can help my children. In winter, the animals don’t have enough grass to feed themselves and they become weak. Thanks to Karuna, they got vitamins and anti-parasites. I am very grateful because this is the first time I have received help. Animals mean everything to us. Helping them is also helping us.
Maruni Tamang, a farmer in Ruby Valley – Nepal
A veterinary clinic is also open within the Karuna offices in this mountainous region of Nepal. Farmers are received there with their animals throughout the year. A veterinary technician is able to treat 6 species of animals, thus covering the needs of local livestock. She also travels to all the villages in the region, sometimes several hours’ walk away, to treat the sickest animals.