Profile
- Name:
Tulasha Schmidt
- Professional background:
Dental nurse and prophylaxis assistant
- Place of assignment:
Manaslu Rural Development Society (MRDS), Manaslu region in Nepal’s High Himalaya
- Duration of assignment:
3 weeks
At times, living in Germany makes me feel very privileged, especially when it comes to healthcare. In Nepal’s Manaslu region you can’t find any hospitals or doctors, just a few small ‘health posts’ staffed with minimally trained medical personnel. People are often only helped with pain relief, instead of being diagnosed and treated. Going to this region to train people on dental health care was therefore a personal urge I felt inside.
Nature lovers and tourists appreciate Nepal’s remote High Himalaya for its unspoiled natural beauty and Buddhist heritage. The ethnic groups that live in this geographically isolated region grapple with other topics: poverty, unemployment and lack of access to basic services like health care or education.
Through sustainable development in healthcare, education, and economic development, the young non-governmental organisation “Manaslu Rural Development Society“ (MRDS) is trying to make a positive difference in people’s lives in the Manaslu region. Dental health is one of the topics the organisation is tackling as many residents suffer from severe oral health conditions. This is due to a lack of access to resources such as toothbrushes and toothpaste and limited knowledge about proper dental hygiene. Additionally, access to dentists and preventive dental treatments is often not readily available in their daily lives.
Tulasha trained both MRDS staff and the personnel at local health posts on international dental health care standards and their application. She also took part in mobile health camps organised by MRDS in three remote villages to provide essential healthcare services to residents.
Sometimes, a small effort can make a big difference in people’s lives. Educating children and their mothers on oral hygiene practices is one of these small efforts. I believe that the new practices that they have learned will ripple throughout their communities and lead to better oral health habits in the region over time.
Further information on the offers available to the Nepali diaspora can be found below.