279 पटक हेरिएको 
Kathmandu : Five years ago, Mr. Badri Bikram Thapa from Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Ward 4 had little knowledge about the challenges faced by people with disabilities. He would feel sympathy seeing people in wheelchairs but hadn’t imagined how difficult their daily life could be. And , after a vehicle accident left him with a spinal cord injury, he began to experience these challenges the firsthand. “Life seen very different from the life lived,” he remarked.
Since his injury, a wheelchair has become his companion. But according to Thapa, the biggest challenge for those with spinal cord injuries isn’t mobility—it’s managing bladder and bowel functions. He explained, “People who cannot control their urine must use a CIC catheter, while others need urine bags (urinary bags). Without proper cleaning, these bags can lead to infections, which happen frequently to him.”
One major issue is the lack of easy access to urine bags, as they aren’t included in the government’s list of free medicines. While the government offers 98 types of free medications through basic hospitals and primary health centers, urinary bags aren’t among them, forcing patients to buy them separately.
The catheter pipes go directly into the urethra, requiring meticulous hygiene to prevent infections. Since urine bags aren’t easily available, some people use them for extended periods without adequate cleaning, leading to infections and stones.
“To properly clean a urine bag, you need jelly and Betadine, which are also not easily accessible,” he added. A standard urine bag has a one-liter capacity and should ideally be emptied safely once full. Though it is designed for a maximum lifespan of 15-20 days, many people are forced to use it for months, which is hazardous.
Since Bhadra 2078, the Nepalese government has provided 5,000 NPR per month to people with spinal cord injuries for medical expenses. However, this support has been challenging to access, and beneficiaries must choose between a subsistence allowance or medical expense support, which creates further issues.
Thapa shared that accessibility challenges with respect to public restrooms also add to their struggles. Structures built that are not following the standards often make it impossible for wheelchair users to enter or maneuver, and even if they manage to enter, the lack of accessible toilets with commodes deprive them of proper sanitation. “We are physically vulnerable, and without the right facilities, the risk of injury, or even chance of fatal accidents, increases,” he said.
Thapa expressed that the government could greatly alleviate their burden by including CIC catheters, diapers, urinary bags, sanitary pads, and tissue paper in the list of free medical supplies for those with spinal cord injuries.
