Facilities and Health Information
Medical care in Nepal is extremely limited and is generally not up to Western standards. Typical travel medical complaints can be addressed by the clinics in Kathmandu and some surgeries can be performed in the capital. However, serious illnesses often require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility (New Delhi, Singapore, or Bangkok). Illnesses and injuries suffered while hiking in remote areas often require evacuation by helicopter to Kathmandu. Those trekking in remote areas of Nepal should factor the high cost of a potential helicopter rescue into their financial considerations. Travelers are recommended to purchase medical evacuation insurance as medical evacuations can cost thousands of dollars and payment will be expected in cash before the medevac can take place if there is no insurance coverage. There is minimal mental health care available in Nepal. U.S. citizens with mental health problems are generally stabilized and transported to the United States or to another regional center for care. The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu maintains a list of local medical facilities.
Stray dogs are common on the streets of Kathmandu. Visitors should be aware that stray dogs and monkeys may be infected with rabies. Any animal bites should be carefully handled and immediately brought to a medical practitioner’s attention.
Medical facilities are often overwhelmed due to insufficient resources. Emergency medical services are of poor quality compared to that available in the United States. Food hygiene and sanitary food handling practices are uncommon in Nepal and precautions should be taken to prevent water and food-borne illnesses.
Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved
87.6%
Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved
11.9%
Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved
90.300000
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.4%
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population
4.7
People Living with HIV/AIDS
64,000
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population
21
Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved
63.3%
Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved
51.200000
Sanitation Facility Access - % of rural population improved
33.7%
Infectious Diseases - degree of risk
high
Food or Waterborne Disease (s)
bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne Disease (s)
Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever