Nepal

After thirteen full years in Khotang, Nepal - that have resulted in numerous great projects and programs (see below) - we’ve learned that D2N is most effective when emergencies arise and when we are building programs that ensure high-quality healthcare.

During the COVID pandemic and the 2015 Earthquake, as with all D2N projects, we asked the communities we would be working with what their priorities were and how they wanted to address them. Our response to the November 3, 2023 earthquake was no different. Although Western Nepal is nowhere near Khotang, because of contacts and resources developed over the past thirteen years, D2N was in a position to provide expeditious relief when the earthquake struck. Details of our Earthquake Relief Plan can be found here.

We have been developing our Menses Project for the past two years. Prior to this our focus was building heath posts and birthing centers. When D2N builds a health post and birthing center (see how this is done,) it occurs within the framework of the Government of Nepal’s rural health care infrastructure. After the build, the government supplies all staff, all medications and supplies on formulary, all vaccines (read more about medications and vaccines) and pays their salaries. This partnership between D2N and Nepal results in a sustainable intervention where health care is delivered free of charge and where medical facilities do not need to rely on D2N for supplies or staff.

Doctors do not staff these facilities. On-site health care workers have usually studied through class 12 and then have an additional couple of years of technical training which is considered more than adequate schooling for their responsibilities. Cases beyond the scope of a health post and birthing center are referred to a district health facility or urban center.

Historically women in Khotang’s villages do not seek prenatal care; babies are delivered at home unattended by a healthcare worker. Birthing Centers are built to enable women to receive four regularly-scheduled prenatal visits and then deliver at the clinic. A detailed description of how birth centers functions can be found here. Baby pictures can be found here.

D2N has built health posts and birthing centers in Baspani, Dindu/Dipsung, Rakha, Sapteshwor, and Makpa.

Information about all our Nepal programs can be found below.