Nov 3 quake damaged 45 health institutions, 208 school buildings

By Lalit Basel, Surkhet, Nov. 17:The devastating earthquake that jolted Jajarkot on November 3 caused damages to the structures of 45 health institutions and 208 schools across the affected regions of Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Following the damage to health institutions, healthcare services are being provided through the temporary tents. 

However, schools remained closed throughout the Dashain-Tihar period, leading to concerns about the effort required to reopen them once the holidays come to an end.

As reported by the Directorate of Provincial Health Services, among the 45 health institutions, six witnessed complete damage and 12 suffered partial damages in Jajarkot. 

In Rukum West, two health institutions witnessed complete damage while 22 sustained partial damage. Additionally, three health institutions in Salyan witnessed complete damages in the seismic event.

Dr. Rabin Khadka, Director of Health Services Directorate, 

said that the majority of the health institutions affected by the earthquake were basic healthcare facilities, including health posts established within village areas.

He mentioned that this figure might slightly increase, as the efforts are ongoing to monitor and assess the extent of damage to health institutions.

Following the damage to healthcare facilities in the rural areas, 

there has been a disruption in service delivery. 

Director Khadka mentioned that healthcare services have resumed by setting up temporary tents outside the buildings of the health institutions that were damaged by the earthquake.

He noted that the rising cold weather following the earthquake poses increased risks to vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women and senior citizens.

Khadka also underscored his concerns regarding a potential rise in waterborne diseases and mental health challenges among the affected population.

Likewise, 208 school buildings were completely damaged by the earthquake, whereas, around 30 per cent of the students were affected by the disaster, said the Ministry of Social Development of Karnali Province. 

A total of 173 schools in Jajarkot and 35 schools in Rukum West have been severely damaged by the earthquake.

According to the Ministry, a total of 581 schools witnessed damage in Jajarkot and 45 schools in Rukum West. 

Balbir Sunar, an official from the ministry, said that 208 schools were completely damaged and 418 schools suffered partial damage in Jajarkot, while in Rukum West, 35 schools were completely damaged and 10 schools witnessed partial damage.  

As per the ministry's report, a total of 40,010 students have been affected by the earthquake, including 22,759 students of Jajarkot and 17,351 students of Rukum West. Likewise, 269 school toilets were completely damaged, and 190 toilets witnessed partial damage. 

Additionally, the school's solar panels and libraries have also witnessed damages, the report shows. 

Sunar highlighted the need for distributing student kits to over 40,000 students in the affected districts, setting up 450 temporary toilets, providing 10,000 sets of textbooks, 600 child development kits and school kits to 350 schools, and constructing 600 temporary learning centres in the earthquake-damaged areas.

33 psychosocial counsellors deployed 

The Ministry of Social Development has deployed 33 psychosocial counsellors in Jajarkot and Rukum West to address the rising psychosocial issues among earthquake survivors.

As per the Social Development Department of the Ministry, a total of 21 psychosocial counsellors have been deployed in Jajarkot, while 13 have been mobilised in Rukum West to provide psychological support and assistance to the earthquake-affected population.

Yashoda Sharma of the branch said the ministry has aimed to establish 50 child welfare centres in the quake-affected region. So far, 13 child welfare centres have been successfully established. Since the earthquake survivors are still in a state of panic, efforts are being made to remove their fear through psychosocial counselling sessions.