Tzu Chi's Aid in Nepal
Free Medical Services
Written By Ida Eva Zielinska
Published #77 | Summer 2025 Issue
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Tzu Chi made significant strides in establishing its medical care in Nepal during the 2015 earthquake relief and COVID-19 aid missions. Given this solid base, its efforts have only flourished since then. Such outreach is vital, as access to affordable, reliable health care remains limited for many in Nepal – especially in rural provinces like Lumbini, where public health infrastructure is often overstretched and under-resourced.
Establishing Care in Lumbini
In 2022, Tzu Chi held a three-day medical outreach event in Lumbini from November 4 to 6. Although the local community was still unfamiliar with Tzu Chi – since the office had only opened in August – the team served 3,200 patient visits. Some patients even came from nearby India, as the border is less than five miles away. By the final day, word had spread: 40 people were already waiting at the entrance to see a doctor by 7:30 AM.
During the outreach, the medical team encountered patients who required follow-up care. One such case was Ayush, a nine-month-old baby diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum – a risk that, if untreated, can lead to infertility or even cancer.
Since his father, a day laborer earning about US$5.50 per day, could not afford the cost of the necessary surgery, Tzu Chi volunteers stepped in. They helped the family obtain certification as a low-income household to access government subsidies and personally accompanied them to the hospital in Butwal, 24 miles away, where they navigated complex medical bureaucracy to secure a timely surgery date.
Many volunteers took turns supporting the family, also providing meals, daily necessities, and emotional support during Ayush’s hospitalization. On December 29, he was discharged following a successful surgery, allowing the family to look ahead to a future free of the serious complications that could have resulted from delayed care.
The November 2022 outreach was the first introduction to Tzu Chi for many and left a strong impression, building trust that opened the door to ongoing care. Yet all along, Master Cheng Yen had envisioned the establishment of a permanent free clinic in Lumbini, where many residents cannot afford medical treatment. That compassionate vision became reality on January 19, 2023, with the opening of Tzu Chi’s first free clinic in Nepal, a major step forward in the expanding medical mission.
Providing Targeted Outreach
Beyond providing care at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic, the medical team also reaches out directly to rural communities in Lumbini Province. From April 16 to May 1, 2023, Tzu Chi volunteers and members of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association conducted a 14-day door-to-door health screening campaign in the village of Kwatariya.
They offered blood pressure and sugar testing, urine analysis, and basic consultations, with the goal that no villager would be left unseen. Despite difficult weather, missing street addresses, and long treks through rural terrain, the team persevered, visiting 202 households and providing care to 574 villagers.
In May 2023, in partnership with the Lumbini Hotel Association Nepal, Tzu Chi organized a large-scale free health screening event at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic in Lumbini, serving 150 rickshaw drivers and 150 hotel workers. The medical team provided vital checks for blood sugar, urine, BMI, and blood pressure. Recognizing that many participants were unaware of the health risks linked to habits like betel nut chewing and alcohol use, the event also included educational sessions to raise awareness.
Tzu Chi has done so much for Lumbini, and we can all see it. They are now initiating the action of creating a healthy Lumbini, and we express our support.
Following the outreach, Tzu Chi launched the Healthy Lumbini, Beautiful Lumbini initiative. As part of this effort, drivers placed stickers featuring inspirational Jing Si Aphorisms in Nepali, English, and Chinese on their vehicles, spreading messages of compassion, wisdom, and kindness reflective of Buddhist teachings throughout the city.
After all, health is more than just the physical. A hopeful mindset can enhance one’s well-being. “These words are good, and they bring me joy when I see them,” one driver said, asking for three stickers. Local officials also praised the effort, acknowledging its gentle yet profound influence on public attitudes.
The medical mission continued to grow in 2024, reaching the village of Mahadeva in Lumbini Province. Thanks to the generosity of Santosh, a community volunteer who offered a location rent-free, Tzu Chi established a Community Center there on June 18. Later that year, on September 4, the center hosted its first health screening event, offering comprehensive check-ups to 50 villagers.
The outreach aimed not only to provide care but also to empower local volunteers and youth to support community wellness, an opportunity they embraced. For university student Seema Bonsfor, it felt like a dream come true. She had hoped to become a nurse, but financial hardship had kept her from that path. “I’m so lucky to help with the medical service, even though I’m not officially part of the medical team,” she said.
A key team member, Dr. Rafik Khan, a 25-year-old cardiologist who offered tireless care and vital information to villagers, shared, “I’m thrilled to be part of this health check event. Many of these people don’t have access to basic health education or government benefits.” Moving forward, the plan is to hold health checks at the Community Center twice a week.
Advancing Women’s Health
A pivotal moment arrived at the end of 2024, when the Tzu Chi Free Clinic in Lumbini provided free gynecological and obstetric care for the first time. This landmark two-day event on December 12-13 provided consultations, medications, ultrasounds, and referrals, serving nearly 250 women in this underserved region.
Despite some infrastructure improvements, women in rural Lumbini Province continue to face significant barriers to gynecological and obsterics care, including long travel distances, limited transportation, and a shortage of female healthcare providers. According to The Kathmandu Post (April 6, 2023), the province also has the highest maternal mortality rate in Nepal, due to inadequate emergency services and delays in treatment.
Additionally, poverty, limited awareness, and stigma surrounding reproductive health in this deeply conservative region often deter women from seeking care. Reflecting on the event’s success, Tzu Chi Malaysia volunteer Meowhong Lee remarked, “Seeing many conservative Muslim women step forward to receive medical care reaffirmed the importance of accessible health care for all women.”
Tzu Chi’s first gynecology and obstetrics free clinic event in Lumbini marked a vital step toward breaking barriers in women’s health. “I am grateful for Tzu Chi’s compassion and commitment to women’s health care,” said Dr. Peru, the lead gynecologist. “This initiative is just the beginning. I look forward to more clinics that will empower women to seek the medical care they deserve.” Indeed, Tzu Chi is already planning future clinics, deeply committed to ensuring that women in Nepal receive the care they need.
