Our recent Health Clinic event has been hailed as a big success. Over 60 Nepali, Bhutanese and Tibetan patients came looking for health services in the early morning on November 8th. And for all, their vitals were checked, referrals for follow-ups were issued, and files on each patient were made. Individually, they had the luxury of meeting with medical professionals to discuss their questions and concerns about health in detail.  And as a group, they listened to presentations about common health problems and solutions for their communities:  How hypertension, high blood pressure and diabetes can be partially treated with a simple change in diet.  For most of these patients, life here in the US is a new challenge, many of who come from refugee camps in Nepal. When they left the Davis Street Health Clinic later that afternoon they carried with them a new perspective on health in their new home.  In addition, they became aware a resource for healthcare which seeks to educate them on prevention and provide assistance with both everyday and extreme medical concerns. 

Of course, the patients were not the only ones who left the clinic that day with a new perspective on health.  One of the goals of Sahayeta this time around (Sahayeta’s first health event took place on April 5th) was that the volunteer staff be made more aware of the community they were serving.  Through the efforts of Sahayeta and Samuel Merritt University staff this goal was met. It all began two hours prior to the registration of the first patient that morning.

A crash course in culture, food and perspectives on health was given by a dozen speakers.  Leaders in the Nepali, Bhutanese and Tibetan community discussed with the group of over 40 volunteers the challenges faced by their communities here in the US.  There were also representatives of NGOs who provide services in Nepal.  One speaker was a patient from the first Sahayeta Health Event last April.   At that event, it was determined that his condition needed immediate attention. Sahayeta volunteers treated him and found the resources to put him through surgery with the help of “Operation Access.” The volunteer orientation was no doubt a major contribution to the day’s success.   Not only is it important for health professionals to understand science, but society and culture, as well.

As a thank you for the volunteers, and a bit more education on culture, Sahayeta members presented them and the patients with a theatrical performance. It was a comedy which incorporated food, health, dance, family drama, and common struggles facing the Himalayan diaspora called, “I’ll Kill You With This Carrot!”