Huntingdon doctor is full of praise for Nepalese but says more needs to be done as country recovers from earthquake
Dr Rajan witnesses the devastation in Nepal. - Credit: Archant
A Huntingdonshire doctor who returned from a second trip to disaster-hit Nepal in December is full of praise for the way the country is trying to get back on its feet.
Dr Daniel Rajan has visited the country twice since it was hit by a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April last year, returning from his most recent trip late last month.
The 2015 earthquake killed about 8,000 people and injured more than 20,000 more, placing a huge burden on the country’s medical system.
And, having seen the devastation first hand, Dr Rajan believes much more still needs to be done to help people still living with injuries and is trying to get health professionals and others who believe they can help to get involved.
Dr Rajan, who also went to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan which devastated parts of the Philippines in 2013, said: “On my first visit I visited Dhading in a mini truck with basic essentials and medicines, and also visited Pokhra to deliver care for patients with fractures, but was overwhelmed by the tenacity of the Nepalese.
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“Most of them didn’t have insurance policies on their homes and, up until today live in tinned shelters, fighting the bitter Himalayan winter.”
Dr Rajan, an orthopaedic consultant working at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, visited the country for a second time in December to help treat a lot of people who were still carrying injuries from the earthquake.
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He said: “The emergency response to the earthquake was managed well by the local doctors but if you go to places 50-60km from the epicentre a lot more needs to be done and this is where the focus should be.
“In some places the lack of blankets and shelter is an acute problem. The local authorities do a great job but any further help other professionals - either medical, paramedical or teaching - will go a long way to help.”
To find out more, or to express your interest in helping, contact Dr Rajan via e-mail at danpaul4@aol.com
You can also log on to Facebook and search Help Earthquake Response Nepal HERN.
