On April 25, 2025, a sense of anticipation filled the air at the Kapilvastu Municipality offices. Residents, local officials, and healthcare workers gathered to witness a milestone: the arrival and official handover of a Community Mobile Health Clinic in Nepal. This new mobile medical van promises to bring essential healthcare directly to those who need it most—especially the elderly, women, and families in remote villages who have long struggled with limited access to medical services.

A Vehicle Designed for the Community

As the mobile medical van rolled into the municipal compound, it was greeted with garlands, celebratory red powder, and the warm smiles of those present. Mahesh Nakarmi, a local engineer and Tzu Chi volunteer, stepped aboard to introduce the vehicle’s features to Mayor Sudeep Poudel, Tzu Chi's Vice President Piyu Lin (林靜憪), and other guests. The vehicle, custom-built to meet the unique needs of Kapilvastu’s rural communities, is equipped with a generator to provide its own power supply, seating for patients and staff, and a touchless handwashing station to help prevent the spread of infection. Recognizing that summer temperatures in Kapilvastu can reach as high as 42°C (107°F), the vehicle is also fitted with both air conditioning and heating systems to ensure comfort for both patients and medical staff.

A Ceremony of Gratitude and Hope

The handover ceremony was marked by mutual appreciation. Vice President Lin presented Mayor Sudeep Poudel with a symbolic key to the vehicle, along with medical equipment including blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes, thermometers, scales, and diagnostic kits. In return, the mayor offered flower garlands and traditional scarves, expressing gratitude for the support that would soon benefit the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The event was further enriched by the sounds of chanting and the blowing of a conch shell, traditional symbols of blessing and new beginnings. Vice President Lin then took the driver’s seat, with the mayor beside her, and together they drove the vehicle through the government gates—signaling the official start of its service.

Meeting Unmet Needs in Rural Villages

For many in Kapilvastu, especially the elderly and women, traveling to distant health centers has been a significant barrier to receiving timely care. Mayor Sudeep Poudel highlighted how the mobile medical vehicle will bridge this gap: “This vehicle will bring medical resources to our seniors, women, and those facing hardship. Nurses and technicians will work alongside local health posts, ensuring that even those in the most remote areas can access care.”

The vehicle is equipped for basic health screenings—blood pressure, blood sugar, urine tests—and can be paired with portable ultrasound equipment. This means expectant mothers, for example, will no longer need to make arduous journeys for prenatal checkups.

A Collaborative Effort and a Symbol of Progress

The journey to create the mobile medical vehicle was not without challenges. Mahesh Nakarmi, who oversaw the vehicle’s design and construction, shared how it took months to find a manufacturer willing to customize the vehicle to local needs. Eventually, Tata Motors in India agreed to the project, and the vehicle was built with imported materials to ensure quality and safety.

Dr. Kiat Beng Tang(陳吉民), who first discussed the idea with the mayor in 2023, reflected on the significance of the day: “Many women and elders in remote villages cannot travel for health checks. With this vehicle, we can help prevent disease and provide care without forcing people to leave their communities.”

Looking Ahead: Health and Hope on the Move

The mobile medical vehicle is more than just a means of transportation—it is a promise of better health and dignity for those who have long been underserved. In times of disaster, it can also be quickly deployed to provide emergency care. As the vehicle begins its rounds, it carries with it the hopes of Kapilvastu’s people for a healthier, more resilient future.

Through the combined efforts of local leaders, engineers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, the people of Kapilvastu now have a new ally in their pursuit of well-being—one that meets them where they are, with compassion and practical support.

Written by Ru-Luh Pai (白如璐) and Chia-Ju Lin (林家如)