Medic helps victims of Nepal earthquakes

Sunil Sah, who is based at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, spent nine days working at three different hospitals across the worst affected regions after arriving in the country’s capital Kathmandu.

Mr Sah’s work focused on treating victims suffering from facial injuries, as he led a team of surgeons from the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), to offer advice, help and support for other medical workers during seven major surgeries.

The country is still coming to terms with the devastation caused by both the original quake on April 25, which measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale and the second major tremor which hit the same area on May 12.

MR Sah, who is originally from Nepal himself, said: “As soon as I heard about the devastation caused by the earthquake, I just wanted to do everything I could to help.

“I hope that being able to contribute, even in this small way, will take some of the pressure of the local medics who are working around the clock to help those affected.”

The team treated patients at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital, the National Trauma Centre and Dhulikhal Hospital, all close the area where the devastation occurred.

Links with three hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley allowed for severe facial injuries to be dealt with across the region. A further trip to Nepal for BAOMS members has been pencilled in for later next month.

Nearly 9,000 people have been killed as a result of both earthquakes, while almost two million children have been made homeless.

Food relief, temporary shelter, medical supplies and counselling are all being offered by specialist aid workers, although UNICEF is still welcoming donations to help keep the emergency support efforts alive.

The British public has so far donated £50m to the cause, while the government has offered £33m to help those on the ground.