Thousands of people who survived but were injured in the April 25 earthquake in Nepal are likely to face lifelong trauma and stress, doctors have warned.
According to preliminary data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) here, a third of the estimated 14,000 people who suffered various injuries in the April 25 earthquake will require regular psychological follow-up and orthopaedic rehabilitation treatment. Approximately 12 percent of them have sustained spinal injuries.
In Bir Hospital alone, of the 21 patients admitted with head injuries, two might have to face permanent disability, doctors fear.
Several hospitals in Kathmandu are still treating patients requiring orthopedic rehabilitation treatment, but their exact numbers are not yet clear.
Similarly, doctors treating psychological disorders said that cases of post-quake trauma have climbed up and are rising. A series of aftershocks after the April 25 quake have only aggravated psychological cases among the survivors, and health officials have called for massive counselling programme across society.
Pushpa Sharma of Om Hospital said such psychological disorder does occur after big quakes and those who are suffering from such condition should receive counseling.
People from all ages have suffered psychoilogical disorder, particularly those who experienced the quake and survived, who saw the death of their kin very closely, and those exposed to pictures of death and destruction on TV and newspapers.
Similarly, all the nine people waiting for spine surgery at the hospital need rehabilitation. Gopal Raman Sharma, senior neurosurgeon at the Bir Hospital, said that patients with spinal injuries need immediate surgeries to stabilise their body, so that they can move around on wheelchairs making their rehabilitation easier.
Similarly, 11 people, including a five-month-old baby, have undergone amputations at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, while the Kathmandu Medical College has performed amputations on three people.
The Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavre has seen two amputations so far, while 25 patients have been admitted with severe spinal injuries. Among them, only five have undergone operations.
The number of people suffering from lifelong disability is going to increase in the post-disaster phase, given the lack of timely medical intervention, doctors warn. Long lines of patients, waiting for medical attention even nine days after the earthquake concern them.
"As time passes, we will see a surge in patients with severe injuries who were not evacuated on time and did not get immediate medical attention. The delay in treatment means that they might have to face amputation or even death," said Shishir Lakhey, disaster management coordinator at the Kathamndu Medical College Hospital.
(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)
