The Epitome of Compassion: Transforming Lives in Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - Sometimes, a doctor's eyes well up with tears while saving a child, giving the child a sense of comfort in its hours of pain. This is the story of Sujal, a 5-year-old boy from a remote village, whose life was saved by the selfless efforts of dedicated medical professionals in Nepal.
A Building of Hope: Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital
Situated in Sankhu, a suburb of Kathmandu, the heart of Nepal, once was a home to the hopeless, serving as a leprosy ward. Today, the red brick building transformed into a beacon of hope, housing the Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital. This hospital, with a capacity of 100 beds, is equipped with operating theaters and a team of skilled plastic surgeons, financed by the "Interplast" association, boasting 2000 members in Germany.
A Bond of Love: "A Heart for Children"
The Interplast association's mission to provide medical care for children in need found a companion in "A Heart for Children," a German organization bestowing its support.
A Tragic Beginning: Sujal's Fate
Summer arrived in Sujal's village, and so did a streak of misfortune. A barn, the boy's home, burst into flames, leaving behind a charred reminder. The family, in their desperate search, could not find Sujal in the wreckage. His corpse lay in a corner, disfigured, lifeless – or so they thought. His grandfather's nudge brought the boy back to life, only to revel in the despair of an impossible future.
The Long Journey to Hope
In a stroke of fortune, one of the hospital's 92 employees became aware of Sujal's plight. Head physician Dr. Santosh immediately ordered his rescue. The arduous journey along the winding mountainous roads, the mother's unwavering determination, and Sujal's tenuous grip on life almost ended in vain. But the medical team, spotting his chance of survival, urged the family onward.
Dedication and Triumph: The Doctors' Work
The doctors realized immediately that time was of the essence. Sujal had to undergo surgery as soon as possible. They worked tirelessly to restore life to the boy, now a human embodiment of perpetual sorrow and physical devastation. Their efforts were rewarded, as the boy, once beyond the reach of death, miraculously returned to life.
The Relentless Pursuit of Hope
Three months on, Sujal's bandage changes remained a horrific ordeal, echoing through the halls of the hospital. Dr. André Borsche, a 68-year-old surgeon from Germany, witnessed the medical team's relentless pursuit of hope. With their fingers trembling and eyes glistening, they continued their mission to heal the harrowing wounds that marred Sujal's tiny frame.
An Unbreakable Bond
The doctors and Sujal developed an unbreakable bond, his trust in them gradually building as the man who had refused to give up hope became a household name in Kathmandu. The boy smiled at the doctors, his spirit reborn, shattering the heaviness in the hospital's atmosphere.
New Arrivals: The Borsche Family
The presence of Dr. André Borsche and his loving family added an element of hope to the hospital. The family's longstanding dedication to assisting children in the remotest corners of the world, from cleft lips and palates to disfiguring tumors and congenital defects, resonated with everyone.
Another Victory in Kathmandu
Not far from Sujal's ward, another young girl named Nikki lay in a battle for survival. Ten weeks prior, the 3-year-old's lower left leg had lain scorched by the fire, leaving behind a mangled, deteriorating appendage. Dr. Santosh, alongside Dr. Borsche's team, intervened with an extraordinary 13-hour operation, performing a bone graft, muscle tissue, and skin transplant.
The Road to Recovery
Nikki's lower left leg would never fully recover, but the selfless surgeons at the Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital ensured that a future beyond her tragic past awaited her.
With Future Dreams and Hopes
Sujal, a young boy with dreams of playing soccer, and Nikki, whose smile lighting up the hospital ward, were testimony to the relentless pursuit of hope and the power of selfless dedication in the face of adversity.
Unyielding Determination: Dr. André Borsche
Never one to be deterred by the limitations of age or geography, Dr. André Borsche returned to Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital in Kathmandu, dedicating countless hours to continue his life's work of healing young lives.
A Testament to Hope and Humanity
The Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, serves as a testament to hope and humanity, as it continues to provide free medical care and training for children in need with the support of "A Heart for Children" and the Interplast association.
Enrichment Data:
The Interplast association, established in 1969 by plastic surgeons in Stanford, has its origin in the creation of a financial base through donations to operate foreign patients. Since its inception, Interplast has been sending teams of volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and allied health professionals to provide essential medical care and training in developing countries, including Nepal. Their projects in Nepal have focused on surgical interventions for cleft lip and palate, burn injuries, and other congenital anomalies, significantly improving the lives of children in need. The organization's impact has extended beyond Nepal, offering hope and healing to countless children worldwide.
