HRA Pheriche Aid-post

/HRA Pheriche Aid-post
HRA Pheriche Aid-post2019-01-10T08:54:20+00:00

The History of Pheriche Aid-post is as old as the inception of the HRA in 1973. Daniele Laigret, a French nurse, was the first volunteer at Pheriche in the early fall season of 1973. Later in the fall of 1973, another volunteer nurse Dolly Lefever from USA went to Pheriche. A wonderful Sherpa man was hired  to help the clinic called Tashi Sherpa. He was old in age but had incredible knowledge and vast experience in mountaineering in the Himalayas. He was very loyal, strong, self-assured, at peace with himself and the world and of impeccable character. Tashi and Doly Lefever lived in a rented yak hut that had dirt floor, rough hewed beams and the usual stone masonry without any caulking. They lived at the space until January 1974.

John Winter was the first physician to volunteer at the Pheriche Aid Post. He provided medical service from the yak hut at Pheriche in the fall of 1974.

In 1974 when Dr. Peter Hacket trekked to the Everest region, he became very interested in the problems of AMS; and after the trek he decided to stay in Nepal. In the spring of 1975, Peter Hacket started his work at Pheriche using the same yak hut and help from Tashi Sherpa. He continued his work at the post for three consecutive seasons. Dr. Peter Hacket in fact set up his sleeping tent near the hut and stayed there helping trekkers. During his work he found out that trekkers were not interested in to the hut so he and Tashi went to the lodges to meet the trekkers and gave talk about mountain sickness.

In 1974 Mr. T. C. Pokharel, one of the founder and then chairman of HRA met Prof. Hayata; from Tokyo medical college a Japanese national. He impressed him to get his cooperation for HRA to set up scientific study of AMS and also to build basic facility at Pheriche. Pheriche was chosen because this was the point where most of the symptoms of AMS and deaths due to altitude illness occurred. At that time most emergency evacuations were also made from Pheriche.

Professor Y. Hayata, from Tokyo Medical College, also became interested in operating medical clinic in Pheriche. He wanted to set up a research facility in high Altitude medicine. Professor Y. Hayata raised about US $ 50,000.00 at that time and the Pheriche Aid-post building was built in the summer season of 1975. It is the same clinic HRA has been running at present.

In the year 2000 Dr. Sandy Scott of Everest Memorial Trust gave his hand to upgrade facility at Pheriche Aid-post. With his help the Aid-post has been refurbished, rebuilt and extended, the solar energy batteries (24 sets) which were installed to generate the electricity to run medical equipments in Pheriche aid post.

Now the aid post has a modern look and comfortable facilities. At present this clinic has become as good as a hospital. It can be said that HRA hospital is located at the highest elevation in the world, which is located half way from the summit of the Mt. Everest to Lukla.

The power system batteries started to give problem in 2010 spring season. With the recommendation of Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, HRA received Rs. 10,00,000/- from Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) to install the batteries. HRA contributed Rs. 6,69,493/- to install new batteries in Spring 2012 season and now it is working smoothly.