Pneumonia in a Remote Village

(names changed)

Rijan, a 12-month-old child, lives with his 2 elder brothers and their parents who run a small teashop in Bajura. The family were travelling on foot to visit family to celebrate a local festival when Rijan suddenly developed a fever and cough. As they were travelling through remote areas, the family had to stop and stay overnight during the journey. During the night, his condition worsened, and he began experiencing difficulty breathing.

When the family finally reached their destination the following day, Rijan’s condition had become more serious. He was unable to breastfeed, his fever had increased, and he had become very weak. The parents attempted to manage his fever by applying cold compresses. However, his condition did not improve. Early the next morning Rijan’s father brought him to the PHASE-supported Bichhya Health Post seeking medical help.

The father reported that the baby could not eat or drink and had become very sleepy. During the examination, the ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) found that the baby was lethargic, unable to open his eyes, breathing rapidly, and showing signs of chest indrawing and nasal flaring. Rijan was diagnosed with pneumonia, a serious illness in young children.

The ANMs administered medication and since only the father had initially accompanied the baby, they requested the mother come to breastfeed. Even after the initial treatment, the baby was still unable to breastfeed. However, after about three hours of observation and continued care, Rijan slowly began to suck breast milk. The ANMs also administered oral paracetamol to reduce the fever, and gradually the baby became more active.

The ANMs discussed the necessary care and emphasized the importance of continuing the treatment. They advised the family to return to the health post daily for injections and follow-up. The family stayed at a relative’s home near the health post and brought the baby for treatment every day. For three consecutive days, the ANMs provided injections, oral medication, and monitored Rijan’s condition carefully. By the third day of treatment, the baby’s condition had improved significantly, and he began smiling and playing again.

After five days, Rijan was fully recovered, the parents expressed their gratitude to the health workers. They shared that they had felt completely hopeless about their baby’s condition and were deeply thankful for the care provided at the health post. For families in this remote region, accessing hospital care is extremely difficult, as the nearest hospital is about six hours away on foot followed by an additional three-hour jeep ride. The PHASE-supported Bichhya Health Post provides 24/7 free healthcare services, ensuring that life-saving treatment is accessible even in remote mountain communities. This case demonstrates the critical role of community-based health services in saving the lives of vulnerable children in remote areas.

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