Amp Pipal Hospital

Gorkha Project, Nepal

Amp Pipal Hospital is a 52-bed facility established by the United Mission to Nepal in 1969, replacing a dispensary which had operated in the same place for twelve years. Located in the southwestern part of the Gorkha District, in the mid-hills of Nepal, the hospital is situated a half hour walk below Amp Pipal, on the side of a high hill overlooking the river Chepi. It is about an eight hour walk from Dumre on the main road between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The hospital provides general outpatient and inpatient services with laboratory, X-ray and ultrasound diagnostic facilities. It also provides the only regular surgical service in the Gorkha District and the surrounding districts.

Most of the patients attending the hospital come from the districts of Gorkha, Lamjung and Tanahun. There is no specific target population as such, with care being given to all who come; but the hospital is especially concerned for patients who have little or no alternative for medical or surgical care.

In April 1997, Amp Pipal became the first hospital in Nepal to begin a programme of "DOTS" treatment for tuberculosis. DOTS stands for Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course. It involves a direct partnership between the patient and supervisor to make certain the medicines are taken and that progress in treatment is monitored. Even in the short time that "DOTS" has been happening at Amp Pipal, there have been definite improvement in compliance and health of TB patients.

The maternal and child health clinic, the pediatric clinic, the hospital and community health programs are working together setting up systems by which good patient care and educational programs are being expanded. Family planning services, antenatal and postnatal care and immunization programs have been integral parts of the community health programs. Since July 1997, the Community Health Programme enlarged its working pattern from separate functional sections to multi-disciplinary, field-based teams. This provides a more holistic approach as health, drinking water and non-formal education staff work together.

The hospital trains local nurses aids in midwifery and weekly classes are held for health assistants training in the out-patient department.

Work at Amp Pipal is assisted by PC(USA) Extra Commitment Opportunities funds (Acct.# 862365).

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