About Nepal
Why Nepal?
At 25th of April, 2015, A magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred with an epicenter about 77 km northwest of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. At the time, Shakya and Nin, who were classmates in graduate school, initiated a simple mobile clinic in a village near the epicenter with the collaboration of a local NGO in September of the same year. Witnessing the healthcare challenges in Nepal during the stay prompted the inception of ASHA's activities.
Although the engagement in Nepal began due to a serendipitous connection, we continue our activities in Nepal because it is Nepal.
General Overview
Nepal, situated in the middle of the Himalayan mountain range, is a landlocked country bordered by India to the east, west, and south, and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north. It is a country, rich in nature, with diverse ethnicities, languages, religions, and customs coexisting in the multicultural and multilingual society. Comprising various ethnic groups, Nepal is known for its intricate cultural tapestry. Approximately 80% of the population follows Hinduism, and the societal structure is characterized by a complex interplay of the ethnicities and the caste system.
Healthcare Situation
Nepal, as a developing country, has an average life expectancy of 70.9 years. Although there has been significant improvement since the 1980s, many regions still face challenges due to insufficient infrastructure development in areas such as transportation, water supply, electricity, gas, and the internet. Additionally, vulnerabilities in the healthcare delivery system are notable issues.
Healthcare Challenges
Due to chronic resource shortages, healthcare facilities are insufficient in both quantity and quality. Additionally, the low health literacy among residents, who may not have a proper understanding of their bodies and health, poses a challenge to ensuring the health that they should rightfully have.
