We are trying to systematically address the health needs of the Nepali-speaking community through the Swastha Samudaya (Healthy Community) Program, a multi-pronged approach to build and sustain community resources to improve the health conditions of Nepali-speaking community in New York. The Swastha Samudaya Program ensures increased access to healthcare resources, information about rights, and regular medical services, both for prevention and treatment.
We organize free health fairs and breast cancer screenings for uninsured and other low-income individuals, and we hold them on weekends to accommodate our community members who work long hours and are often cannot get time off to take care of their health.
As a low-incidence language, Nepali is not covered by New York City's language access policy (Executive Order 120). However, lack of in-language services can be a matter of life and death. Therefore, we also advocate for improved language access at hospitals and health centers to ensure meaningful services to individuals with limited English proficiency.
