I am a second year nursing student at Bournemouth University. For part of my degree I have decided to do an elective placement in Nepal for my first placement of my final uni year. This is organised through a charity called Work the World.

In September 2019, I will be flying out to Pokhara for 4 weeks as part of my third year university Nursing placement. Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal, situated in a valley created by the Himalayan Mountains.

During this time, I will be working in a local hospital with the aim of experiencing the midwifery and oncology departments. Most hospitals in Nepal are understaffed, with a ratio of 1 healthcare worker for every 700 individuals.

Only one third of people diagnosed with cancer in Nepal will manage to reach a major hospital for treatment. If a patient cannot get to a hospital, whether it’s due to financial concerns or if the patient is too poorly, then the treatment will be palliative.

In obstetrics, more than a third of babies are underweight at birth. Many women have home births and are not aware of complications during childbirth. This has resulted in one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia.

Many hospitals have limited or no resources in order to carry out standard or emergency treatments.

I hope to help in this challenging culture and environment, however I will need to fundraise in order to achieve this placement.