MISSION INVITATION

DHULIKHEL HOSPITAL/KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NEPAL

ADULT TEAM

NOVEMBER 6-19, 2016

You are cordially invited to participate in the 2016 return mission to Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal!

This 225-bed community supported hospital is expanding services to 2.5 million Nepalese to include full cardiac services. The cardiology department is currently providing angiograms and newly begun interventional cardiology procedures in-house. This will be CardioStarts ‘third full team visit for the cardiac surgery program. The local team members have acquired early education in their areas of responsibility and look to our team for continued hands-on learning. A CardioStart team started the education program in May 2015.

Outreach will also be conducted during this mission, to Chhatredeurali Clinic, a local satellite clinic for Dhulikhel Hospital, located just South of Kathmandu. This clinic helps to serve over 200 families and is in great need of external assistance, after several devastating earthquakes ravaged the region. Assistance at this clinic will focus on cardiac screening and remote clinical care.

Nepal

Ever since Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s, this tiny mountain nation has had an irresistible mystical allure for travelers. Today, legions of trekkers are drawn to the Himalaya’s most iconic and accessible hiking, some of the world’s best, with rugged trails to Everest, the Annapurna’s and beyond. Nowhere else can you trek for days or even weeks in incredible mountain scenery, secure in the knowledge that a hot meal, cozy lodge and warm slice of apple pie await you at the end of the day. Nepal is nirvana for mountain lovers.

Some travelers are drawn to Nepal by the adrenaline rush of rafting down a roaring Nepali river or bungee jumping into a bottomless Himalayan gorge. Canyoning, climbing, kayaking, paragliding and mountain biking all offer a rush against the backdrop of some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

Mission Goals

To build a self-sustaining cardiac surgical program beginning with adult patients and on completion with pediatric clientele.

To support the efforts of the Cardiac surgical team by having a presence in the community and providing education, health screenings, medical evaluations and treatment to the underserved population.

Team Composition

Needed:

1 Adult Cardiologist

1 echo tech

1 Adult Anesthesiologist

2 Adult CV Surgeons

1 Adult Perfusionist

1 Intensivist

1 Nurse Case Manager and 1 Research Assistant

1 Scrub Tech/RN

5 ICU RN’s

1 Biomedical Engineer

Outreach:

1 Nurse Practitioner or MD

1 Nurse or PA

Mission Logistics

Airfare: Airfare costs and VISA will be self-funded by each volunteer. When instructed to do so you may book your own flight or consult cardiostart@raptimusa.com.. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIRMED ON THE TEAM. You will receive a CONFIRMATION letter when all required documents have been submitted and approved.

Lodging: To be provided. CardioStart seeks certain minimum standards (2-3 star) to ensure volunteer safety and comfort as well as keeping the team together. Volunteers should expect same-sex room sharing in order to help reduce the costs.

Meals: During the day, meals will be freely provided at the hospital. Evening meals/snacks, etc., will be at your own expense and are available at the hotel or other area establishments.

Travel/touring: For patient safety reasons, we do need the medical personnel to be in the hospital until the Friday of the second week. Upon completion of the mission, you may wish to take a few days vacation. You can visit some of the many natural wonders of Nepal, or book yourself additional nights before heading back. However, we cannot assist with the tourism arrangements.