KUNDE HOSPITAL

Peak Freak Expeditions climbers and trekkers are allowed the opportunity to check in with our Canadian doctor volunteers at the Kunde Hospital built my Sir Edmund Hillary in 1965-66 with the assistance of the Lion's Club of Auckland, New Zealand, and Sir Edmund's friends who were working in Nepal as part of the Himalayan Trust. The New Zealand Government contributed financially to this project.

The Himalayan Trust funded, operated and administered the Hospital from 1966 (usually husband and wife doctor teams). The late Dr. Max Pearl was the Medical Officer of the Himalayan Trust, and he coordinated all aspects of the working Hospital with Sir Edmund playing a major part in the administration and funding.

In 1975 the late Dr. Pearl and Sir Edmund discussed the funding element of the Kunde Hospital with The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada (SEHF). It was unanimously agreed that the SEHF would fully fund the Kunde Hospital, and on Dr. Pearl's suggestion, it was agreed that the SEHF would also supply volunteer doctors on an alternating basis for a two-year period. New Zealand appointed doctors had run the Hospital from 1966 to 1976. It took four years to implement the doctor exchange program but the Canadian funding started in 1976.

The SEHF approached the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and submitted a project to fully fund the operation of the Kunde Hospital. At that time the Hospital needed refurbishing and an addition to the Hospital plus an extra building to house charcoal, drugs and other supplies. These renovations and building were funded.

A short time later, twelve medical clinics were established in nearby Solu-Khumbu villages, and in each clinic, village health workers were established. Training of these health workers was undertaken as part of the Kunde doctors responsibilities.

Client care comes first but if the opportunity allows our members will be invited in the Kunde facility for tour. Meet the attending medics team and get a briefing on the history of the hospital and precautions you should take regarding AMS prevention. A very informative event.

HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE SPECIALISTS since 1983