Nepal’s first women surgeons say where there’s a will, the way will follow

By Seema A. Adhikari

KATHMANDU, April 11 : Where there is a will, there is a way. Well, these two young ladies – Dr. Paleswan Joshi Lakhey and Dr. Sussie Shrestha – had will a plenty. The way followed inevitably.

While there are many women doctors in Nepal now, most have specialised as obstetricians and gynecologists. A few are serving as child specialists, some as ophthalmologists and dermatologists. But none had specialised in general surgery. Until Dr. Lakhey and Dr. Shrestha came along.

Today, the duo hold the distinction of becoming Nepal’s first female general surgeons, performing complex gastro-intestinal and other operations. They both did their Masters in Surgery (MS) degree from the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital this year, passing out with flying colours.

Groomed together right from St. Mary’s School and Amrit Science College, 31-year-old doctor Dr. Lakhey and Dr. Shrestha, also 31, are now happy serving the poorest of the poor as surgeons in two prominent government hospitals of the country – TUTH and Bir Hospital respectively.

Dr. Paleswan was an outstanding student right from school life and stood second among all girl students appearing in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) Examinations. For her outstanding performance, she was honoured with the Ratna Vidya Padak.

She says she was determined to take up medicine as a profession after she topped all girl students in the I.Sc. exams, again being honoured with another award - Aishworya Vidya Padak. "My mother herself being a gynecologist, encouragement and inspiration from family members was never a problem," says Dr. Lakhey.

On the other hand, Dr. Shrestha has a slightly different story to tell. Her mother, Dr. Pushpa Shrestha, a professor of economics at Tribhuvan University, was herself Nepal’s first woman Ph D holder in economics. That became an inspiration, always recalling her mother’s 3Ds - determination, dedication and discipline. "The 3Ds are behind my success," she says.

Her father being a senior journalist with a government publication, Dr. Shrestha initially had thought of embracing journalism, but as it turned out, medicine was her destiny.

Both the aspiring ladies flew out of the country to earn the MBBS (Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery) degree. Lakhey earned the degree from the Fatima Jinnah Women’s Medical College in Pakistan while Shrestha studied at the Sylhet Medical College in Bangladesh.

Though the country has made giant leap in many fields, the two young female surgeons are more concerned about the poor awareness level and perception of the people - regardless of their profession and seniority.

Dr. Lakhey recounts a recent experience. "I was very much embarrassed when, soon after completing my MS degree, a senior doctor commented that I ought to have been a gynecologist because I was a woman." The same doctor continued to remark that he didn’t think women could work as die-hard general surgeons, she adds.

Though she has not faced such kind of comments, Dr. Shrestha nevertheless has had her fair share of embarrassing moments. "Many people in the hospital call me sister seeing me in white robes, and think that I am a nurse," she says. "There is the perception that every white-clad woman is a nurse." The same people call a white-clad male junior technician a doctor, she says with a shrug.

Though the official government salary is Rs 6,000 at the Bir Hospital, Dr. Shrestha is still happy because she enjoys serving the poorest of the poor pouring into the hospital from the rural parts of the country. "Sometimes the patients come empty-handed for serious surgery and at those times we need to find some sponsors," she says. "It is a challenging job."

Dr. Lakhey, who has already conducted more than 1,000 operations, recalls the saying of one of her teachers in the Fatima College - a doctor needs lion’s heart, eagle’s eyes and lady’s fingers. "Girls have both eagle’s eyes and lady’s fingers, so once they have lion’s heart they can do anything," she says. "I have done four major operations in a single day - that even on the day of Laxmi Puja."

At a time when the doctors do not like to venture outside the capital, the ambitious ladies say they are ready to go anywhere within the country provided the place is equipped with bare minimum surgery facilities.

Stress on ‘peace education’

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KATHMANDU, April 11 : A one-day-talk programme on "Making Educational Institutions, the Temples of Peace and Non-Violence Through Peace Education" was held here today on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the Peace Education Academy of Nepal.

Inaugurating the UNESCO Study and Peace Education Centre at Padmakanya Campus, Dr Kesharjung Rayamajhi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Rajparishad said the establishment of the UNESCO Study and Peace Education Centre at the Campus premises is a powerful medium for peace. "Our country needs to impart peace education right from the school to university in today’s context," he said.

Assistant Professor Damber Bir Thapa handed over around 3,000 books and journals on UNESCO, United Nations (UN) and other international situations.

Khagendra Basnyat, former education secretary and the Chief of Nepal Scouts said that there is an urgent need in the country to introduce peace education in schools to create a peaceful society based on non-violence.

Mahendra Youth Hostel to go to LSC

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LALITPUR, April 11:The Ministry of Local Development (MLD) has recently decided to hand over the Mahendra Youth Hostel to the Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City (LSC), sources said.

A source said that the ministry has decided to hand over the youth hostel located at Jawalakhel, Lalitpur to LSC for better utilisation of the hostel "if the LSC wants to". The decision, however, remains to be formalised.

"That means the LSC will obtain the right to use it for its purpose but will not be allowed to sell or give it to any private party without the ministry’s approval. Besides, the management of the staff also falls upon LSC."

The hostel is now running under an executive committee which is chaired by a secretary of the Ministry and the secretary of the LSC is one among the members. It occupies 8 ropanis of land that is equivalent to Rs 70 million.

Deputy Mayor of LSC Ramesh Chitrakar said that the local authority has full power to manage and make it a better hostel.

"Actually, we have just decided to ask for it. We have full strength, willingness and motive to own and operate it," he said.

Chitrakar said the hostel would be developed as a model city hostel with better facilities and services, but he added that detailed plan has to be worked out.

The executive officer of the hostel Devi Ram Khanal,however, denied the possibility of handing over of the hostel to the local authority or to any other institution.

"I have also heard about it. Nevertheless, when I drew the attention of the minister and the secretary about the handing over of the hostel,both of them denied," he further said.

He said the hostel has a long history and contribution to the youths of Nepal and overseas. He said, "This should be made an independent body and not a part of any local authority."

" It does not, however, mean that we are against the government’s decision. We are only workers and we are obliged to follow whatever decision the cabinet or ministry makes," he said.

"Instead of making it subordinate to any other organisation, the government should conserve it, develop its capabilities and expand it." Khanal said.

‘Maoist problem a result of ineffective governance’

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KATHMANDU, April 11:The Nepal National Marwari Parishad concluded its sixth general assembly here on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the main opposition party, CPN-UML said the Maoists’ climax is a direct offshoot of the lack of good governance, rampant corruption, misuse of power by the ruling party and poverty. "Unless these ills of the country are removed, peace and normalcy will not be possible", he said.

On the occasion, he also appreciated Bandana Khetan for qualifying herself as the first Nepali woman to become a chartered accountant. The Chief Guest, Nepal, gave away the "Manager of the Year –2001" Award to Manoj Goyal and Khetan for making commendable progress in the field of education.

Addressing the closing session, Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary and an MP Sushil Koirala said his party is firm on resolving the citizenship problems in the country but said the immediate need now is protecting democracy from the onslaught of the Maoist terrorists.

Shankar Lal Kedia, President of Nepal Rastriya Marwari Parishad said the association had received a great veneration and appreciation way back during the Rana regime and has continued getting the same.

He highlighted the contributions made by the association in various fields including religious, social and educational fields besides the contributions made in business and industry.

Mohan Gopal Khetan, chief advisor of Marwari organisation suggested the government for an early resolution of the citizenship crisis in the country.

Speaking on the same occasion, Hulas Chand Golchha said, citing an example of great ancient Indian hero Shivaji, that a similar bold and powerful leadership should come up to handle the current crisis.

"We have the necessity of a Shivaji-like leader in the country," he added.

RPP General Secretary Pashupati Samsher Rana, Hridayesh Tripathi of NSP, and President of the National Front Chitra Bahadur KC also spoke on the occasion.

Vocalists Gyanu Rana and Bhupendra Rayamajhi sang from the collections of inspirational songs of Hulas Chand Golchha, former President of the association.

Locals extend supports to rebuild public property

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PYUTHAN, April 11 : Local people of this district have come forward to extend their support for the reconstruction of the public property destroyed by Maoists about two weeks ago. The rebels went on the rampage of destroying various government facilities, telecommunication offices and the powerhouse of 12 MW Jhimruk hydroelectric project built by Butwal Power Company.

Member of a local club – Kalika Youth Club – Bigyan Karmacharya said that the locals were collecting cash and kinds to provide support to the government employees and the employees of the power plant. He said ‘‘the locals have shown their solidarity by providing shelter, clothes, furniture and food to the employees.’’

Pyuthan Chief District Officer, Nanda Prasad Poudel, said that the district administration office has appealed the people to extend supports to the government from their level the best for the reconstruction of the physical infrastructure of the governmental and non-governmental organisations.

"Trade in Bijubar market has declined by 80 per cent following the Maoist attacks," said Chandraman Shrestha, Vice-Chairman of Pyuthan Industry and Commerce Association.

Of the total 49 VDCs of the district, 35 VDCs have been devoid of communication facilities. Nepal Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) officials said the communication system in the district came to a standstill after the rebels blew up a repeater tower on Sindure hill and Bijubar-based exchange office with bombs.

Everyday, a large number of people come to Khalanga, the district headquarters, to make telephone calls. Telephone lines are still functioning in Khalanga and two other VDCs, according to NTC officials.

RCNP begins artificial hatching of Gharials

By Prabhakar Ghimire, Krishna Bhandari

CHITWAN, April 11: With an aim to preserve the rare Gharial crocodile, the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) have begun collecting the eggs from its natural habitat. The egg will be hatched under the direct inspection of the RCNP experts.

The RCNP decided to take this step, as the number of crocodile of this species was decreasing due to different reasons. The eggs of crocodile could not prosper in the natural habitat, as the people used to steal them for medicine use. Sometimes they were swept away by flood and were also eaten by wild animals.

According to Ashok Ram, Ranger of the RCNP, the Park decided to finish the egg collection work within the first week of Baishakh (April-May), as crocodiles lay eggs in this season. Prior to the collection of the eggs, a team will undergo research in the natural habitat of crocodiles.

"The necessary work for the egg collection has already begun in the banks of Narayani, Kaligandaki and Rapti area," said Ram. The eggs will then be taken to the Gharial Crocodile Reproductive Centre inside the RCNP where they will be kept under the protection of more than a dozen experts.

According to the related experts, the egg will hatch after it is kept in the sand for 60-90 days. Then the hatched babies will be kept in the artificial pond, which will be released in its natural habitat after three years old.

"The survival rate in the natural habitat is only one percent where as under the artificial hatching, 30 percent will survive among 80 to 90 percent of hatched babies," said an expert.

The Reproductive Centre has been working to preserve the Gharial crocodile since its establishment in 1978. And the Centre has released around 518 baby crocodiles in different rivers like Narayani, Kaligandaki, Babai and Koshi till date.

The Centre had released 10 Gharial crocodiles in the Narayani River in February last year. There are altogether 145 crocodiles of different age group, 123 of them Gharial and 22 Magar. It is estimated that a Gharial female can lay around 32-62 eggs at a time.

According to an official at the Centre, the crocodiles are not getting enough care due to lack of budget and they are unable to send researchers in the natural habitat for inspection after they were released.

"The Centre gets Rs. 750,000 as yearly budget but the government has cut off a sizeable amount this year," an official said. "The Centre is facing difficulties running this much-needed preservation programme."

Out of 21 types of crocodiles in the world, 9 types are in critical condition. These Gharial crocodiles are found only in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Crocodiles are in danger due to various reasons like they are killed for skin, floods sweep away their eggs, lack of fish (their main food) in the rivers and the threat from their own bigger adults.

ILO to strengthen inspection mechanism

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BUTWAL, April 11:A two-day workshop on Child Labour Inspection and Institutional Action began here today with a view to strengthen child labour inspection mechanism in informal sectors.

The workshop was organised for inspectors, labour officers, trade union leaders, NGOs and employer’s organisations, according to a press release issued here today by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Mayor of Butwal municipality Bhoj Prasad Shrestha said that the municipal office is committed to phase out child labour in the municipality area, as decided by the city council of Butwal.

Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management P.N. Gyawali said that the government of Nepal has developed a 10-year plan to curb child labour.

Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, Director of ILO, said that the principles mentioned in the ILO convention number 81 over 50 years ago are entirely relevant today in the face of globalisation, deregulation and down sizing of public services.

Yadav Amatya, ILO National Programme Manager, presented paper on child labour situation in Nepal and difficulties faced by the labour inspectors for monitoring and inspecting it. As 90 percent of the working children are found to be in informal sector and are out of the government inspection system’s reach. S.N. Vaidya of the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion, factory inspectors, representatives from trade union and BBCCI of Butwal also presented working papers for discussion during the workshop, states the release.