In more than 100 locations across seven Rural Municipalities within the district, patients still need to be carried, often on the back of another person, to reach healthcare institutions. This practice continues due to the absence of road connectivity in Humla’s Rural Municipalities, primarily stemming from the lack of a connecting road to the Karnali Corridor.
Janak Shahi, a Kharpelgaon resident in Kharpunath Rural Municipality-5, shared his experience of carrying his ailing sister-in-law for two hours to Yangchu Bajar, the rural municipality center’s community hospital. He explained that due to the absence of road connections in the Rural Municipality, carrying patients to healthcare facilities remains the sole option.
Bhai Bahadur Tamang, from Nekpa in Chankheli Rural Municipality-5, recounted an incident where he had to carry an injured patient who had fallen from a tree for eight hours to reach the health post in Piplang. Despite ongoing road construction, it remains incomplete, compelling locals to continue carrying patients when the need arises.
Tamang emphasized the limited treatment options at hand, either seeking aid from traditional healers or relying on herbal remedies. He stressed that unless these alternatives are expanded, the community is compelled to transport patients to healthcare facilities. Tamang complained about seven patients being carried from Nepka, Chankheli Rural Municipality to the Rural Municipality center since April.
Similarly, Jagbir Budha, residing in Maspur Rural Municipality within Tanjakot Rural Municipality-3, shared his experience of carrying his mother to the Maila Health Center in Chhaprela, the rural municipality center, due to the lack of progress in road construction for Maspur Rural Municipality.