Nabil Bank conducts ‘Free Burn Treatment Camp’ in Dhangadhi, benefiting 65 patients

KATHMANDU: A three-day “Nabil Free Burn Treatment Camp” concluded successfully at Seti Provincial Hospital, providing free care to 65 burn patients from across Sudurpashchim Province.

The camp ran from Feb 24 to 26, organized jointly by Nabil Bank, Seti Provincial Hospital, and Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, Kathmandu.

Of the patients treated, 20 underwent surgery on-site by senior doctors at Seti Hospital, while 18 with complex cases were referred to Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital in Kathmandu for advanced care.

The camp specifically targeted economically disadvantaged patients who had long awaited proper treatment, offering them timely medical intervention at no cost.

Durga Pandey, whose five-year-old daughter received neck surgery for burns sustained two years ago, praised the camp: “The surgery was successful, and my daughter is recovering well. I sincerely thank the organizers for this facility.”

The camp was led by a team of specialist doctors under Prof. Dr. Ishwar Lohani from Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital. Dr. Lohani highlighted the challenges faced by burn victims in Nepal, noting that delays in treatment or reliance on traditional remedies often worsen injuries. He added that the camp helped raise awareness about proper burn care and will benefit marginalized communities in the future.

Among the patients, 42-year-old Bharat Luhar, who suffered burns on both hands while heating a stove, was referred to Kathmandu for further treatment after his wounds had become infected due to delayed care. He expressed relief: “Senior doctors treated my burns, and I am now going to Kathmandu for follow-up care.”

The camp treated a total of 65 patients, including 35 men and 30 women, under Nabil Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Nabil Bank CEO Manoj Kumar Gyawali emphasized that this was the bank’s first phase of burn-care support in remote areas of Sudurpashchim Province, with plans to expand such initiatives to other regions in the future.

Dr. Hemraj Pandey, Chief Medical Superintendent of Seti Provincial Hospital, expressed gratitude to Nabil Bank for facilitating the camp, stressing that burn care is sensitive and urgent, and noting that many patients in Nepal still lack access to proper treatment.

Alongside the treatment camp, a basic burn-care training program was conducted at Seti Hospital. Led by Dr. Raju Bhandari, Deputy Medical Director of Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, around 50 doctors, nurses, surgeons, and administrative staff received training to improve follow-up care for burn patients. Dr. Bhandari said, “This training ensures our medical staff can assess and provide appropriate treatment and advice for burn cases in the future.”

Nabil Bank, Nepal’s leading commercial bank, continues to implement CSR initiatives aimed at social entrepreneurship, development, and sustainable growth, reinforcing its commitment to creating positive societal impact.