Our patients come from all across Nepal and to date the Centre has treated patients from 71 of the 75 districts in the country. Approximately all of our patients come from low socio-economic backgrounds with the majority of them being subsistence farmers or daily wage workers; many are illiterate. Hence, the common cause of spinal injury amongst the patients is falling from tress or cliffs while conducting various household chores (e.g. collecting fodder, herding livestock, etc.). However, in recent years with the expansions of road networks and a large number of Nepalis going abroad to work as migrant laborers, there has been an increase in the number patients who are injured as a result of road traffic accidents or construction/industrial accidents.
Most patients arrive at SIRC after having received a referral from a local hospital following their surgery or other necessary medical care. Initially the patients that came to SIRC were those who had not received any treatment for their injuries. Thus, tremendous time and effort was required to rejuvenate their spirits and physical status. However, now with a growing awareness of SIRC amongst hospitals and the general population, patients arrive at the Centre immediately following their surgery or injury; this has allowed for a more effective rehabilitation process.
Patients typically stay at the Centre for an average of three to six months during which they receive a range of services to enable them to manage their condition and regain a degree of normalcy. Patients admitted to the Centre are both quadriplegics and paraplegics and upon arrival, most have additional complications such as urinary tract infections, pressure sores, fever, etc. During their stay at SIRC, patients receive necessary medical care and undergo a specialized regimen of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. They also receive vocational training according to their physical abilities. Through this rehabilitation process, the patients are prepared for their return home.
Throughout the rehabilitation program patients are required by SIRC to have an accompanying caretaker (a relative or friend of the patient). The caretakers supplement the care provided to the patients and are also important in ensuring that the patient's rehabilitation process can continue even after they leave the Centre.