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The Machermo
education, research and rescue operation is all set to run
again this spring trekking season from late March to late
May. Once again it will be based at Namgyal’s Lodge as we
await the purpose built Porter Shelter to be built by CAN.
We have had some fantastic donations and the clinic will be
far better equipped to deal with emergencies this year.
A big
thank you to:
Hong Kong IPPG – Funded the satellite phone so we will
be able to organize evacuations, communicate directly with
Kunde Hospital etc.
International Mountain Explorers Connection (formerly the
Himalayan Explorers Connection) – bought us an Airsep
oxygen concentrator and got it out to Nepal. This equipment
converts fresh air into medical grade oxygen and will be a
lifesaver in the rescue operations.
Skipton CRO for the donation of a folding stretcher
and Ian Wall (UK IPPG/CAN) for personally delivering it to
Namgyal’s Lodge, Machermo (see Ian’s article below).
Austin Metivier (architect) and Steve Tremblay (draftsman)
of DMG architects, Quebec for designing and drawing up
a set of inspiring plans for the new facility which will incorporate
as much energy conservation as possible.
IPPG Reps from Australia and Canada have raised generous
donations towards the ongoing costs of the clinic such as
medical supplies and wages for the Nepali first aid worker.
Dr Jim Duff – funding for our basic solar electric
system to run all our electrical equipment, including the
Airsep. (We will upgrade to a full system once the Porter
Shelter is built).
The research,
education and rescue team will be in place late March and
will work through until mid to late May. We have volunteer
doctors and nurses coming from Australia and Raj Weiber has
been employed as rescue worker after he proved to be such
a popular and valuable member of the team last season.
This
season we will run daily educational lectures. For the porters
lectures will cover health issues such as altitude related
problems and HIV/STD’s (an increasing problem on the trail)
and for the trekkers; porter safety and care plus acute mountain
sickness. As well as our educational role we will collect
data on porter problems and report these to HMG Nepal.
The
future
CAN (Community Action Nepal - Doug Scott’s charitable organization)
have committed to building a porter shelter in Machermo. This
is a very exciting project with space for 60 porters (and
many more in bad weather conditions). There will be space
at the Porter Shelter for our educational, research and rescue
team. A local Sherpa management committee, set up by the Buffer
Zone Committee (Kumbila) supported by IPPG will oversee the
running of this facility. Ongoing funding is needed to keep
the project going and to fit out the shelter and its kitchen
as well as the education, research and rescue facility. One
future aim is to have a salaried Nepalese national as the
educational, research and rescue worker. This depends on secure
sources of long term funding. If you can help with a donation
contact your country representative or Ian Wall (uk@ippg.net
mail: 87 Birchwood Drive, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9NZ).
Finding
volunteer doctors or nurse/paramedics (Nepalese or foreign)
to run the post in season will be a major issue. If you are
interested please contact me on trishb@mos.com.np
Expenses
Machermo - Spring 2003
| Medical
Books |
2,500 |
| Oxygen |
14,000
|
| Drugs |
12,210
|
| Printing |
700
|
| Bags/
bowls |
2,200 |
| Batteries |
600 |
| Paper |
200 |
| Raaj
wages |
36,000
|
| Bonus
Raaj |
2,000
|
| Raaj
room/board/travel |
60,000
|
| Dr
Liss support/porters |
20,000
|
| Dr
Swinkels support/porters |
11,000 |
| Porters |
5,000 |
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| TOTAL
(in NPR) |
166,410
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