Heart Health in the Himalayas Grant Recipient: The Nepal Heart Foundation Grant Amount: $20,000 CHARITY SPOTLIGHT The Himalayan state of Nepal is home to nearly 27 million people, with over 80% of the population living in isolated areas prone to natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes, and flooding. In such remote areas, it is common for access to healthcare to be virtually nonexistent or, at the very best, lacking adequate resources. One of the most immediate threats to health in Nepal is Rheumatic and Ischemic Heart Disease (RHD & IHD), which often stems from untreated infections such as strep throat and scarlet fever. Established in 1988, The Nepal Heart Foundation (NHF) is an NGO operating out of Patan city in central Nepal that “aims to ensure a better life, free of heart disease, in Nepal”. The foundation provides screenings, follow-ups, and medical procedures for at-risk communities throughout the country. Since the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, NHF has provided heart screening for over 50,000 students in Nepal. Using funds granted through CAF America, NHF was able to provide 16 medical professionals and 127 community health workers with special training in identifying heart problems. Workers were trained not only to treat existing problems, but also to identify early signs of RHD & IHD in young people. Read more inspiring stories at www.cafamerica.org/about/stories 26