Nine services were provided during the three-day medical camp in Lumbini Cultural Municipality, Nepal. This was the first time a medical camp was jointly organised by the local, Singaporean and Malaysian medical teams, serving more than 3200 residents and monks with the manpower of 136 medical staff and 445 volunteers.   

Resident, Chinku Barai: I have pain in my joints, legs and shoulders. After coming here to do acupuncture, I feel much better. I can’t come previously because of my financial constraint. My wife also has high blood sugar and other problems. All our money has been spent on her treatment.

Lumbini Cultural Municipality Clinic doctor, Dr Bikesh: If they visit a private hospital, they will have to spend around 15 to 20 thousand Nepalese rupees (SGD160-211) for the first visit. With this medical camp, at least they come for free check-ups to detect their disease early and receive proper treatment later.

It is already very challenging for low-income families to have enough food and clothing and even more extravagant to pay for medical treatment or regular health screening. The medical camp gave the locals the opportunity to do health screenings and at the same time, raised their awareness about health and hygiene.

Gynaecologist Dr Lim Lei Jun: There was a patient who had pain in the right abdomen for a period of time. A seven-centimetre cyst was discovered after the scan. We gave her a referral letter and told her where to see the doctor.

Paediatrician Dr Eddie Chan: Most children who come here are malnourished, so we spent some time explaining to them how to eat right. We hope to help them improve their immunity and health through food intake and health education.

The medical staff focused on seeing the patients, while the volunteers helped maintain order and comforted the waiting residents. Sincere glances and smiles are the best way to communicate across different languages.