This work began as a partnership with INF/N .INF expat, Rosanna Clarks and Peggy Franks had established the work in Bheri Zonal Hospital and INF TB clinic at that time. After Rosanna and Peggy ,Phil Davis joined in this work for its further development.
This work comprises 4 Patient Advocates who are placed at three sites, the Nepali government hospital in Nepalgunj, the INF Banke Leprosy Hospital, SSS Hostel. The work originated after identifying a deficiency in the care and provision of very poor patients who attended these facilities many traveling days from the hilly regions of Nepal and remote villages of Terrain region.
The Governmental hosptial patient advocate provides:
- Assistance in accessing the poor fund
- Help for patients needing a doctor, blood donation, x-ray etc.
- counseling
- Advocacy (speaking /taking requests on behalf of Patients’ need to relevant authorities)
- Care for patients without caregivers
SSS hostel:
-Provide food for the poorer patients’ care giver from rural areas
-Provide lodging after discharge from hospital and need to revisit doctor.
The INF Leprosy center patient advocate provides:
- Weekly patient fellowship/meeting sessions, open to all patients
- Literacy and social sessions with long-term inpatients
- counseling
- Assistance for outpatients