Nyaya Hospital in Nepal provides medical care to the local community. The author describes a typical day at the hospital, beginning with morning rounds where doctors examine inpatients, many being treated for pneumonia. Afterward, doctors see outpatients and fill out cards with exam findings, diagnoses and prescriptions for patients to take to the pharmacy. In the afternoon, the author assists with prenatal care, spending time learning ultrasound techniques from the head of the antenatal clinics to measure fetal heart rate and locate the placenta.

1. A Day at Nyaya
By Lara Harvey

2. Bayalpata Hospital in its gorgeous mountainous
setting, as seen from a hill across the street.

3. This is the staff quarters behind the hospital,
where I resided throughout my stay.

4. In the morning, I walked to the main hospital and
was treated to views like this.

5. The Doctors and
Health Assistants
round on all the
inpatients.
Here, Dr. Thapa
and Dr. Bhandari
are examining a
child being treated
for pneumonia.

6. After rounds, it’s time to see outpatients in the outpatient department and
emergency department. The patients bring cards with them that are filled out
by the Health Assistant, and include exam findings, diagnoses, and
prescriptions. The patients can then take their cards to the pharmacy to get
their medications.

7. After the morning rounds and activities, it’s time for a delicious
lunch of dal bhat (rice and a kind of lentil stew).

8. I also spent some time with the sisters who take care
of pregnant and laboring patients.

9. Here are some supplies, including sterile delivery kits, found in
the delivery room off the main inpatient department.

10. I was lucky enough to spend much of my time with Urmila
didi, who runs the antenatal clinics. She is a wonderful clinician
who “knows her stuff ” and has a smile for every patient.

11. We spent a lot of time practicing ultrasound techniques, like measuring
fetal heart rate, establishing placental location, and other useful skills.