BAJURA, AUGUST 17

A health facility has finally reached Gumba, one of the most remote villages in Bajura district, making medical treatment significantly easier for the locals.

Located in Himali Rural Municipality-3, the center is now serving 25 households in Gumba and 12 in neighboring Lampata. Local residents say they are happy to finally access effective treatment in their own community.

'Earlier, we had to spend days just to get paracetamol or oral rehydration salts. Now services are available right here in the village,' said Malati Gurung, a Gumba resident.

The health post sees more than 50 patients each month, according to ANM Sarita Sanjal. The facility has also enabled regular vaccination drives, which were not possible in the past.

The center benefits not just locals but also herders and trekkers. The route to tourist destination Ranisain passes through Gumba, and herders also use the trail to move sheep, goats, and yaks toward the Himalayan pastures during monsoon.

Health section chief Raj Bahadur Bhandari said the center was set up despite the village's small population due to its extreme geographical hardship. Himali Rural Municipality, which covers over 35 percent of Bajura, earlier had just two health posts but now has 11 new basic centers.

Reaching Gumba requires more than five days on foot from Martadi, Bajura's district headquarters.