H.O.P.E- Hold On Pain Ends
On August 29, 2001, Jayanti Memorial Trust (JMT) was established as HOPE to the many indigent Nepali cardiac patients who were left at the hands of fate. One, because they neither had resources for their treatment or proper diagnosis nor was there a fully developed cardiac services available within the country. Although, JMT was founded as a separate entity, but had the underlying principal of fulfilling its vision by forging public/ private partnership with like minded individuals/ organizations. JMT initiated sponsoring treatment of cardiac patients at the Bir Hospital (the largest government hospital then, with the only cardiac facility available).However, 20th September, 2001 was a landmark in the field of cardiac facility in Nepal. This is the day that Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre (SGNHC) came into full operation with 60 beds under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Bhagwan Koirala. This was the only cardiac hospital run by the state then. With SGNHC coming into operation alongside JMT providing aid to less fortunate, patients no longer had to travel to India or other foreign destination for cardiac treatment. Together, it relayed message of HOPE to Nepali cardiac patients "HOLD ON PAIN ENDS".
Today we have two state run cardiac hospitals in the country- Shahid Gangalala National Heart Center and Manamohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre (MCVTC) that provide world class cardiac treatment. Nepalese government has further eased the burden of its citizens by providing free cardiac treatment to children below 15 years and above 75 years of age at its two state run hospitals. All financially marginalized Nepali cardiac patients are eligible to NRS 1 lake for their treatment, along with prosthetic heart valves that are distributed yearly to the needy and limited free beds at the two heart centres (patients admitted to free beds avail entire treatment at the hospital free of cost except for medicines not available at the hospital's pharmacy).
However, cardiac treatments are expensive. The problem of high cost for treatment still exists despite the numerous schemes/ benefits provided by the government. Even though treatment at SGNHC and MCVTC are relatively cheaper, there are still many who cannot afford treatment at these centers.
This is where the Jayanti Memorial Trust steps in. With the help provided by these state run hospital in terms of certain exemption from hospital fees, the Trust fills in the gap with monetary, medical devices and drugs to aid these less fortunate cardiac patients upon recommendation by the concerned doctors. The Trust also has three liaison offices set up at SGNHC and MCVTC in Kathmandu and Western Regional Hospital (WRH), Pokhara. JMT has not limited itself to just providing sponsorship for treatment to underprivileged patients. It also supports the human resource in the field of cardiology through Continuing Medical Education Program (CME) and continues to do all that is required in combatting all forms of cardiovascular disease and proving H.O.P.E- Hold On Pain Ends.
Late Helen Shah endowed her most successful and world-renowned property, Fish Tail Lodge, to the Jayanti Memorial Trust—one of the first acts of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nepal. The Lodge features in ‘1000 Places to See before You Die’ by Patricia Schultz and has had the honor of hosting world leaders, royalty and heads of governments such as HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Princess Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom,Crown Prince Narihito of Japan, former Indian President N. Sanjiva Reddy, former US President Jimmy Carter, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former UN Secretary General Kurt Waldhiemand women’s tennis champion Steffi Graff. Fish Tail Lodge was established in the late 1960s with unique round cottages and is situated in the peninsula with the Fewa Lake in Pokhara. Pokhara is approximately 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu or 5-6 hour drive. The lodge has 48 standard rooms and 12 deluxe rooms. It has a central dining room and a bar. The lodge offers activities like hiking, pony riding, bird watching and fishing. The Lodge has its own boats for the guests to ferry on the lake. It also conducts cultural nights every evening for the guests.
All profits generated by this resort are donated to the Jayanti Memorial Trust to further its goals—an act of philanthropy unparalleled in Nepal.
The Trust envisions decentralized cardiac care throughout the country, which is readily accessible to all. It is dedicated in combatting all forms of cardiovascular disease through treatment, prevention, advocacy and research.