Help Nepal Network constructed a health post in Murma, a remote village in Mugu district of western Nepal in 2004. Of the total project cost of around USD14,000, 50% came as an in-kind support from the local community. The project included acquiring the land, and costs related to building material and labor. Day to day running of the center is supervised by the village committee with monthly reports submitted to both local government as well as HeNN. Operating cost of the health post is taken care by HeNN.

HeNN Sweden’s contribution in this Mugu Health Post project:

• NRs 75,276 donated in May 2006 for the day to day operation of the post.
• Handover of medical equipment in April 2007, which was a donation from Kullbergska Hospital, Sweden.
• NRs 1,12,400 donated on 4th of August, 2008 to implement an imperative training and awareness program for the welfare of the local population of Mugu district. The program targeted awareness in upgrading the sanitation and nutritional behavior/habits of the local people.

Over the years, the health post has had a discernibly positive impact on the lives of the locals and of those living in surrounding villages. Common ailments (e.g. fever, headaches, gastrointestinal and seasonal diseases, etc.) can now be treated locally. There has been a significant improvement in the quality of life and villagers don’t have to walk two and a half hours to reach the government hospital in Gamgadhi anymore. Medicines at the health post typically cost half of what they cost at the pharmacies in Gamgadhi. The health post now provides services to more than 400 households.