Healthcare services in Kathmandu Valley are sound. All kinds of medicines, including those imported from overseas, are found on deck in the Kathmandu Valley.
The Valley is also largely facilitated by major general hospitals and private clinics. Health posts have been set up by the government in different parts of rural Nepal.
Yet, for a major health crisis or emergency, one may have to be evacuated to Kathmandu.
Some useful tips are:
- A travel insurance policy that covers medical treatment is recommended for all tourists.
- Make sure that the insurance covers activities such as trekking, rafting, etc. that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal.
- Getting special vaccinations is not necessary when visiting Nepal.
- We still recommend that you consult with your physician regarding special immunizations against any tropical disease.
- It may be a good idea to get a complete checkup before departure.
- We strongly advise you to undertake training programs to be physically fit if you plan to go high-altitude trekking or mountaineering while visiting Nepal.
- Please read up on altitude sickness (AMS), diarrhea, giardia, dysentery, cholera, hepatitis, rabies, typhoid, tetanus, meningitis, diphtheria, malaria, and HIV/AIDS information, as even a little precaution can often save lives.
- Please make sure that food is thoroughly cooked and served hot when eating out.
- Please make sure that salads and fruits are washed with purified water or peeled before eating.
- Beware of food that has been kept out in the open for a long time.
- Always make sure that your water is clean by opting for boiled and then cooled water, treated water, or sealed water from a reputed brand.
- Always carry a bottle of water when trekking or venturing away from the city or town.
- Do not walk barefoot on damp mud and grass in unknown areas.
- Please do not swim in lakes and water bodies, especially where depth and vegetation are not known.
- Always carry and use mosquito repellant when in the Terai region or during the summer.
Please have a handy medical first-aid kit ready for any situation.
Medical Kit:
A simple but adequate medical kit can be very useful while traveling. Medical items like
- Aspirin or Panadol for pain or fever
- Antihistamine as a decongestant for colds and allergies
- To help prevent motion sickness, antibiotics are useful if traveling off the beaten track, but they must be prescribed
- Kaolin preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium, or Lomotil for the upset stomach;
- Rehydration mixture for treatment of severe diarrhea; antiseptic, mercurochrome, and
- Antibiotic powder or similar dry spray for cuts and grazes can provide a great deal of aid.
Other essentials that must be included are:
- Calamine lotion to ease irritation from bites or stings;
- Bandages and band-aids for minor injuries; scissors, tweezers, thermometer,
- insect repellent, sunblock lotions,
- Chopsticks, water purification tablets, throat lozenges,
- Moleskin, Sulamyd 10 percent eye drops, paracetamol, and antacid tablets.