Everest base camp medical clinic: Located at 17,600ft at Everest base camp.
Volunteers preferentially chosen from those with previous experience as a
volunteer at another HRA facility (see above.)
General Information for volunteers: Volunteers pay their own way to and from
Nepal. The aid posts operate from February to early may (pre-monsoon) and
early October to early December (post-monsoon). Volunteers arrive in
Kathmandu by mid February or mid September for these seasons and should
expect to stay in Nepal for at least 3 months. Prior to leaving for the posts,
volunteers help with organizing supplies for the coming season. The Kathmandu
office will help with arrangements. Volunteers are fully supported financially only
after leaving Kathmandu: however Kathmandu is not very expensive place. The
first few days are devoted to orientation, bot medical and a general introduction
to working at the posts, as well as sightseeing in Kathmandu, Each volunteer
may bring a spouse or significant other who will also be supported. There are no
provisions for children at higher post getting along with other volunteers and the
Nepali staff (in Kathmandu and the posts) is very important. Volunteers should
not encourage medical students or other health professionals to come along and
help them during their tour of duty (let the office handle this). Research and
teaching take a back seat to patient care. Please do not volunteer if research of
teaching wilderness medicine to a medical student or resident is your main goal.
The Work: Volunteers are the only source of medical care in each area. In
addition to clinic hours (easy to set, but hard to enforce) and emergencies
(anytime, just as at home), volunteers give daily lectures emphasizing
prevention, recognition and treatment of altitude illness and other medical
problems of trekking. The posts support themselves on fees charged for medical
services and supplies, donations and the sale of HRA logo items (patches and t-
shirts). Medical skills are often less important qualifications then the ability to
function in stressful situations and a talent for diplomacy. At each post, local
people serve as medical assistants and translators and do most of the cooking
and general maintenance.
The rewards: Spending a season at one of the posts is an unparalleled
opportunity to practice wilderness medicine and to meet people from different
cultures, both those of Nepal and of many other countries. Although the scenery
is spectacular, it is the local people, especially your assistant living with you at
the posts that make the experience one you will always remember.
Potential volunteers in North American Countries
Contact : Ken Zafren, MD, FACEP
10181 Curvi St. Anchorage, AK 199516, USA
Home Tel : 1 907 346 2333 Fax: 1 907 346 4445
10181 Curvi St. Anchorage, AK 99516 USA
Phone: +1 907 346 2333 Fax : +1 907 346 4445
Email :ZAFREN@ALASKA.COM
