By Lam Kia Goh and Chee Cherng Lee
A Beacon of Hope for Women
On December 12-13, 2024, the Tzu Chi medical team hosted a two-day gynecological free clinic at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic Center in Lumbini. In a deeply conservative and economically challenged society, many women silently endure health issues due to stigma and limited access to female doctors. This initiative aimed to provide much-needed care and encourage women to prioritize their well-being.
The effort was set in motion in May 2024 when Dr. Bharat Kumar Pradhan Shrestha, founder of Public Health Care Trust (phect Nepal), attended a medical and health promotion conference in Taiwan. Invited by Dr. Kiat Beng Tang, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Malaysia Chapter, he was deeply moved by Master Cheng Yen’s vision of integrating medical care with compassion. Determined to improve healthcare access in Lumbini, Dr. Shrestha returned home committed to making a difference.
Upon evaluating the urgent needs of rural women, he collaborated with Tzu Chi to organize the free clinic, bringing specialized medical care to those who had long lacked access.
Organizing a Lifeline for Women’s Health
Since its establishment in February 2023, the Tzu Chi Free Clinic Center has faced challenges due to a lack of full-time doctors, requiring medical teams to conduct village outreach for health screenings and hospital referrals. To provide more sustainable care, Dr. Tang proposed bringing patients directly to the clinic for treatment.
To enhance patient care, pharmacist Surendra Narayam Dube established an on-site pharmacy at the clinic, allowing women to receive prescribed medications immediately after their consultations. In just six days, the organizing team secured necessary permits, printed promotional materials, and gathered essential medical equipment, even borrowing costly devices from partner institutions.
Delivering Care with Warmth and Compassion
Despite the chilly morning, women began arriving at the clinic as early as 8 AM, forming a queue for medical consultations. Volunteers from Singapore, Malaysia, and Nepal worked together to coordinate patient registration, vital checks, and examinations. Young volunteers offered warm water and snacks, ensuring that patients, many of whom had traveled long distances, felt cared for and comfortable.
Among the patients was 23-year-old Bina Kumari Harijan, who shared her relief at finally being able to discuss her abdominal pain with a female doctor. Jhinka Pal, a 90-year-old woman, walked over an hour from Luxmipur village with her neighbors to receive treatment for joint pain. Volunteers welcomed her with warm water, and she expressed her gratitude with folded hands, moved by the kindness she received.
Building Community Support Through Healthcare
Over two days, nearly 250 women received medical consultations, with 200 receiving medications and five referred for further treatment. Local police officers also visited the clinic, showing support for the initiative and reinforcing community safety.
On the second day, Dr. Asfaq from Life Care Medical Center conducted ultrasound scans for nine women, helping diagnose underlying health conditions. As a member of Tzu Chi Nepal, he was eager to contribute his expertise to the initiative.
Gynecologist Dr. Peru expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve: "I am grateful for Tzu Chi’s compassion and commitment to women’s healthcare. This initiative is just the beginning—I look forward to more clinics that will empower women to seek the medical care they deserve."
Volunteer Wan-Yin Lee from Tzu Chi’s Selangor Chapter shared a touching moment when a local store owner offered generous discounts on prayer bowls as a gesture of appreciation for the clinic’s impact.
Volunteer Meow Hong Lee from Tzu Chi’s Johor Bahru Chapter noted the significance of the clinic’s outreach: "Seeing many conservative Muslim women step forward to receive medical care reaffirmed the importance of accessible healthcare for all women."
As the sun set on the second day, the volunteers, though physically exhausted, were filled with a profound sense of fulfillment. The success of the clinic was not just in the number of patients served but in the connections built and the dignity restored to women who had long lacked medical support.
A Step Forward in Women’s Healthcare
The first gynecological free clinic in Lumbini was more than just a medical mission—it was a step toward breaking barriers in women’s healthcare. Through collaboration, compassion, and community support, the initiative provided a safe space for women to seek the care they needed.
With plans for future clinics, Tzu Chi and its medical partners remain committed to ensuring that women in Nepal receive the healthcare they deserve.
