A Remarkable Milestone: Treating Over 200,000 Patients
August 13, 2014 - David Citrin
This recent quarter marks a remarkable milestone for Possible: having treated over 200,000 patients since our founding in 2008.
Our patients often travel extremely long distances to arrive at our hospital in rural Nepal’s far-northwestern district of Achham. The district’s human development and health indicators consistently rank at or near the bottom when compared to Nepal’s other 74 districts. What’s more, the region has suffered the consequences of war, conditions of long-standing marginalization, and a concentrated HIV epidemic.
The setting where we work encapsulates many of the challenges faced globally in providing basic healthcare to impossible places. Thus, one could claim any number of achievements through this 200,000+ patient figure alone. Yet we realize that our hospital is only one stopping point among many for people in search of the high-quality and dignified care they deserve.
In other words, this data point is not one to brag about, but rather represents a renewed and urgent call to action.
The total number of patients treated is one of many indicators we report as part of our Impact Dashboard, which provides a snapshot of the reach and utilization of Possible’s durable healthcare model. The 206,317 people treated are patients from our inpatient and outpatient departments, the emergency room, those who come to receive antiretroviral medications, and women who deliver at our hospital as part of Nepal’s Safe Motherhood initiative.
Over the past three fiscal years, we have seen a 160% increase in total patient visits, with a 65% increase in patient visits over the last year alone, from 34,027 to 56,106.
Providing care to 200,000+ people is no small feat. Behind this number is an incredible team who demonstrates the grit and determination required to deliver healthcare in the face of countless challenges. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who registers, consults with, and treats patients, ensures they have clean facilities, coordinates their advanced care, and makes sure they receive follow-up care in their communities.
Additionally, thank you to our investors, partners, and community members who continually support our work and help us redefine what is possible.
–David Citrin, Director of Impact