EK EK PAILA: One Step at a Time

Every year, thousands of people migrate to Kathmandu, the capital city, in hopes of a better quality of life. This densely populated city is home to over 1/12th of the country’s population, among which squatters make up around 2% of.

Since 1985, the squatter population has had a staggering 85% increase. Those living in squatter settlements are often daily wage earners with no time or money for healthcare. As a result, neglect of smaller health problems arises in serious complications in the population. Impoverished and helpless, some resort to unlawful means to finance their healthcare. To tackle this problem, Ek Ek Paila, a Nepali non-profit organization, has begun a "Bagmati Riverside Squatters Health Outreach Project”. Started in February 2022, this project will span over the course of 2 years, covering 11 squatter settlements consisting of 7040 individuals. Targeting all departments in healthcare, Ek Ek Paila doctors from different specializations —Ophthalmology, Gynecology, Dentistry, General Medicine, Hepatobiliary, Radiology, and Orthopedics will provide free services to these settlers. Free health camps will be set up in the area once every two months, with free consultations and 50% subsidization for subsequent lab tests.

                       “A lot of squatters complain about how many health camps are performative and rarely provide preventative solutions to their health problems. At Ek Ek paila, we aim to provide curative, promotive, and preventive care alongside distributing free medicines and lab investigations”, explains Ek Ek Paila volunteer Bishruti Rijal.

The project was introduced with much heed—in collaboration with local organizations and after conducting multiple surveys to gauge their response. Their first Bagmati riverside squatters health camp in February of this year was met with positive feedback. The second one is to be held this Saturday, April 16th 2022 in Teku.

Ek Ek paila was recently acknowledged for its efforts with a 2022 Impact 360 award, being among the ten impact heroes that helped mitigate challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought about. Although only recently recognized with this award, they have been around since the 2015 earthquake. Ek Ek paila founded itself amidst the 2015 earthquake when a group of doctors formed a group to give medical assistance to those in need. Since, the organization has only grown—with about 20 completed projects all over Nepal. They are proudly sustained by only Nepali donations, without help from the government or foreign currency. 

Last year, they built their first community health center in the middle of the city. The Thapathali center targets urban poor populations who cannot afford the prices at private labs and clinics. To continue these efforts out of the valley, Ek Ek paila is opening a community health center in Thokarpa in collaboration with the Sunkoshi Rural Municipality Baisakh. Their affordable rates for treatment with doctors from all specialities has been of massive help to many. Their rates are outlined below: