COVID-19 Isolation Ward in Bhaktapur, Nepal

In order to keep the hospital safe, an isolation ward needed with the knowledge it could be repurposed after COVID-19 to the benefit of the general population of the hospital

At the outset of COVID-19 in March of 2020, The Siddhi Memorial Hospital in Bhaktapur, Nepal was designated a COVID-19 treatment hub by the Government of Nepal. The hospital was concerned for it's vulnerable population as they primarily treated pregnant and new mothers in addition to the seniors in a complex adjacent to the hospital. In order to keep the hospital safe, an isolation ward needed with the knowledge it could be repurposed after COVID-19 to the benefit of the general population of the hospital.

This project included the purchase and installation of respiratory medical equipment, beds and chairs in an isolated area of the hospital. Since that time, thankfully, there has only been one emergency isolation case in the ward. The mother and infant treated in the ward recovered fully. Due to the control of Covid-19 in the area and the flexibility built into the project, we are happy to report that the ward was recommissioned at the end of February and the equipment has now been put to use to benefit the general hospital population. The government believes the pandemic in Nepal is firmly under control and case rates are very low. The isolation ward is now used as a post operative recovery area.

This project was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge in Canada and facilitated by the Bhaktapur Rotary Club in Nepal. In addition to the club funds, support was received from The Rotary Foundation, Rotary District 5360, and matching funds from the Government of Canada.