Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

HAAMI, an organisation initiated by 10 like-minded friends to help those in need, has people from different walks of life — journalism, architecture, tourism, communications and medicine. With the funds raised from a party ‘Zodiac Blast’ organised by them in December, 2004 they conducted a free dental camp in Bagbhairav Boarding High School premises, Kirtipur on February 26. This was the first camp of its kind organised by them.

“The main aim of this camp is to bring about dental and hygiene awareness amongst the locals,” said Sophia Tamot, one of the founders of HAAMI. “We intend to organise more camps of this kind in other districts of the country as well as it is difficult for people here to access dental clinics.

A team of nine dentists from City Dental Care Center, two assistant dentists and two Japanese nurses performed dental check up and tooth extractions. The camp also provided education on dental awareness, gave out free medication and distributed pamphlets on oral care. “Hosting such camps on school premises is ideal as they provide enough space and different responsibilities can be carried out in different classrooms,” said Tamot. Free toothbrush and toothpaste along with medicines were distributed.

Over 350 people aged three to 75 attended the camp of which 60 per cent were women and children. Dr Subhashini Manandhar, member, HAAMI who also led the camp said, “I hope that this camp helps the residents of Kirtipur and those from the vicinity as Nepalis generally cannot afford basic dental treatment.”

HAAMI, in the long run, aims to provide income-generating opportunities to individuals through manual skill trainings.