Information for Visitors
LOCATION: 16 kms South of Kathmandu in Lalitpur District. Altitude 5,500 feet.
ESTABLISHED: 1956, Run by The Leprosy Mission International in cooperation with His Majesty's Government of Nepal.
Inpatient: 115 beds for leprosy patients requiring medical care for ulcers, reactions or reconstructive surgery and 10 beds for non leprosy (general) patients needing inpatient care, including delivery cases.
General (Non Leprosy) Outpatients Clinic: This clinic serves people from the surrounding villages and from the South of the district of Lalitpur where medical facilities are limited. This occurs twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Approximately 80-100 patients are seen each week. There is also a Tb clinic on Saturdays.
Leprosy OutPatients Clinic: Serves primarily the Central Region and is held 3 times per week.
Laboratory: Provides routine clinical pathology services for OPD & in-patients. Several research projects are in progress. The laboratory collaborates with WHO Immunology of Leprosy Research Programme and several other overseas research laboratories.
Training Centre: This centre is used for delivering training to government basic health staff in leprosy and providing orientation and updates on leprosy to specialist leprosy staff. The centre also accommodates training delegates in private rooms.
Leprosy Control Programme: Responsible for leprosy control in the district of Lalitpur. The staff completed a survey of the whole district in 1990. Current activities include case detection, case holding and follow up of absentees, and promoting health education.
Staff: The hospital currently employs 125 staff, the majority of whom are Nepali. There are approximately 40 people living in the compound (including children).
Guest House: The guest house can comfortably accommodate up to 11 people with all meals provided. If there is an overflow occasionally individuals may be accommodated in the Training Unit.
Current Meal Prices
(2000) Mission staff Non Mission
staff
Rs 315/day Rs 415/day
Electricity: 220 volt 50HZ. Occasional loss of supply from Kathmandu. Please bring a torch.
Water: There is usually an adequate supply, but tap water is not drinking quality.
Church Meeting: Every Friday for Christian staff on campus in Handel Hall at 7:00pm in Nepali. There are several churches in Kathmandu on Saturday & Sunday. The International Church meets on Sunday at 9:30am in Lincoln School.
Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 7pm, held in English and usually in the home of campus staff.
Patients Fellowship: Every Monday outside the Nursing Office at 6:00pm (5:30pm in winter). An informal time usually with a short message, all in Nepali.
Sunday School: Each Saturday at 10:00am in Handel Hall. Mostly for children of campus staff, in Nepali.
Recreation: Staff are keen on sport. There is a volleyball court and badminton court as well as a table tennis table. There is also a video player machine in Handel Hall. The surrounding area provides many opportunities for walking and biking (you will need to provide your own bike).
Visas: Most visitors will be able to get a tourist visa (valid for 15 days) at the airport - costs US $30. To extend it you need to pay US $50 per 30 days (in Nepali currency). You will also need a passport photo each time you extend your visa. Renewals can be done at the Immigration office.
Money & Possessions: Change cash or traveller cheques only at authorised dealers. This can be done in Kathmandu In the city beware of pick pockets. Save Rs 1000 for airport tax when you leave Nepal. Credit card cash advances can be performed at selected banks in Kathmandu, there are no ATM services throughout Nepal.
Clothing: Most of the year light cotton clothes are adequate. In winter (Nov-Feb) the temperature drops to 2 - 3 ƒC at night and 16 - 17 ƒC during the day, warm clothing is needed. During monsoon (June-Sept) wet-weather gear is essential. Please dress modestly (eg. no shorts or sleaveless tops for girls). Good walking shoes may be useful. Please do your own laundry.
Health: You do not need Malaria Prophylaxis here but you will need them if you travel to low-lying areas (eg. to India). It is essential to take precautions against water/food borne infections by drinking only boiled water. Bring iodine for travelling, bottled mineral water is readily available. You may need sun-screen lotion if you have fair skin. Insect repellent is useful in the evenings.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A (B for Medical persons), typhoid and tetanus.
Transport: Hospital vehicles travel into Kathmandu most days and you can arrange a seat in advance. The journey takes about 45 minutes. Public buses run hourly these will take longer to reach Kathmandu.
Shopping: Kathmandu has many Super Markets stocked with western goods. (eg. toiletries, toilet paper, first aid supplies, etc.) Craft items can be found in Thamel and Patan. Shops and Banks are open on Sunday. All offices are closed on Saturday.
Mail: Is collected from Kathmandu 6 days per week. Please give your friends the full post address. Fax & phone calls can be arranged through the office. Bills are payable at the office.
Good Manners: Some simple rules include removing your shoes before entering someoneís house, using your right hand to eat and pay money, never letting your feet touch another person and no physical contact in public between people of opposite sex, even your spouse in public.
Reading Material: Nepal - Lonely Planet Series; ìPain the Gift No One Wantsî Dr Paul Brand, Published Harper Collins; Zondervan Leprosy Brycenson, Pealtzgraff published Churchill Livingstone.
Elective Students: Elective students are only accepted through The Leprosy Mission International and candidates should apply via National Council. Once accepted please send details including home contact address, phone number or fax and next of kin. It is helpful for us in planning your programme if you list your objectives for your visit.
TLM requires all students to prepare a small project during their stay. For example a survey/audit/research topic of mutual benefit and for presentation to TLM council.
a) You may be met at the airport if we know your travel plans in advance. The hospital is 45 minutes drive from Kathmandu.
b) If you are coming by yourself - Public mini buses (Rs 12) run from Lagankhel bus stand near Patan Hospital or you can take a taxi (Rs 350).
Mr. Shovakhar Kandel
Executive Officer
or
Dr Tim Lewis
Medical Superintendent
Anandaban Hospital
P.O. Box 151
Kathmandu, Nepal
or leave a note at Patan Hospital addressed to Anandaban.
Note that mail can take up to two weeks each way from England or Australia.
Tel: +977-1-4290545
Fax: +977-1-4290538
Email: Anandaban@TLMNepal.org