Samaritan's Purse's "patient navigation" program in Nepal is helping children receive the quality medical care they desperately need.
Temperatures dipped as the night deepened. An open fire burned inside Rishi’s* home, keeping his six children warm as they slept. Many families in remote regions of Nepal heat their dwellings this way. But it comes with danger.
Having suffered for eight years, Binsa is now recovering after life-changing surgery and the receipt of a new prosthetic.
At just 6 months old, Rishi’s daughter, Binsa,* was severely burned by one of these fires in the middle of the night. She sustained terrible injuries to her left leg and right foot. And even though her parents rushed to get medical help, little could be done for the young girl.
Rishi later traveled with Binsa to find a hospital better equipped than the one near his isolated community. Still, the scale of Binsa’s injuries was too great for them to help, and Binsa suffered from pain and scarring for years.
It wasn’t until Binsa was 8 years old that she began to receive the help she desperately needed. A remote hospital referred her for treatment in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. The city is the only place seriously sick and injured Nepalese children can receive advanced medical attention. The problem is getting to Kathmandu and navigating the large city and complex medical system. The costs and challenges often put this type of care far beyond the reach of low-income families.
For Binsa, however, prayers and support from friends like you made it possible to help her in Jesus’ Name.
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.”
—Jeremiah 30:17
Through our local partner, we were able to give Binsa and her parents support to travel to Kathmandu. There, the family was housed and fed in a building built especially for people living with disabilities. And our partner’s staff walked with them through Kathmandu’s complicated medical system.
Binsa finally had surgery to amputate her damaged left leg and was fitted for a prosthetic. She has needed to return to Kathmandu 11 times since then for follow-up. With support from Samaritan’s Purse, our partner has helped her every step of the way. This gentle care has been a testimony of Christ-like compassion for Binsa and her family.
“For all the improvement I have seen in my daughter, I am thrilled and want to say thank you from my heart,” her father, Rishi, said.
Nepal is a nation difficult to reach with the Gospel. Many people have never heard the name of Jesus, but through this medical ministry, countless families are experiencing His love and want to know more about the Good News. As families return to their mountainous villages, many with newfound faith, our partner continues to follow up and connect them with local believers.
Last year, we had the opportunity to reach 229 Nepalese children and their families with this help and hope in Jesus’ Name. Thank you for your continued and critical partnership in God’s life-transforming work in Nepal.
*Name changed for security
