Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world.  Nearly half of the Nepalese population lives below the poverty line.
These people are affected by numerous diseases, some of which are contagious. However, many sick and disabled people cannot afford urgently needed medical treatment.
Other new factors are increasingly worsening the lives of these people: frequent environmental disasters (e.g. earthquakes, floods, global warming), unemployment, the coronavirus, and inflation. Children are the main victims of this poverty . One in three children has to contribute to their family income and work. They are usually only able to attend school irregularly, and many are malnourished.

The Swiss association Shanti Med Nepal (SMN) therefore supports various medical facilities that provide free medical care and rehabilitation to these poorest people with medications, medical supplies, and targeted financial support. We cover the costs of expensive surgeries that the patients could not afford.

Our main project is the Ratnanagar Hospital in the southern district of Chitwan, which has grown enormously over the last 9 years thanks to our support, from a health post to a 65-bed provincial hospital.

Ecological sustainability is also important to us . We have installed large solar panels on the roofs of our hospital buildings, and all waste is carefully separated and largely recycled. SMN is a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals organization.

• We regularly hold health and food camps in remote villages .
• We support several boarding schools, especially the Navodaya boarding school.
• We organize annual wheelchair distribution campaigns for people with disabilities and also offer them other assistance.
• We also support a retirement home.
• Details about the projects can be found under Projects .

In addition to our financial support, many volunteers from Switzerland and Germany regularly work on our projects. Doctors, nurses, and other specialists not only care for the patients but also provide training for our Nepalese staff and help maintain buildings and equipment. Together, we ensure the careful and sustainable use of our support funds.
All volunteers work pro bono and cover their own travel expenses.