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Minister pledges to boost organ donation and porter insurance
KATHMANDU, May 30: Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel honored Pemba Sherpa from Solukhumbu, the record-breaking mountaineer who successfully climbed Mount Everest after a kidney transplant. He also announced plans to simplify and streamline the organ donation process.
At a program of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Minister Paudel congratulated Pemba Sherpa for making history by setting a world-first record.
Minister Paudel said, "You have set a record not only for Nepal but for the entire world."
PM Oli undergoes successful kidney transplant at TUTH
He announced that the MoHP will appoint Pemba Sherpa as an ambassador to promote organ transplantation.
Minister Paudel highlighted that a shortage of donors limits the lifesaving potential of organ donation after brain death. He expressed confidence that Sherpa's Everest climb will raise awareness about this issue.
He said, "We have begun simplifying and streamlining the organ donation process after brain death. We hope this will save many lives currently lost due to the organ shortage."
Health Minister Paudel also announced that although Sherpa risked his life climbing Everest, porters lack health insurance. He pledged to initiate efforts to provide them with insurance coverage.
Climber Sherpa said the ascent boosted his courage and confidence even more. "I started climbing within two years of my kidney transplant," he said. "I fulfilled the promise I made to the hospital that saved my life, risking my life to do so."
After discovering kidney failure while working abroad, Sherpa returned to Nepal and received a kidney transplant three years ago at the Shahid Dharma Bhakta National Transplant Center.
Sherpa climbed Lobuche Mountain on March 22, 2024, and set a record by successfully conquering Everest on May 14.
The 37-year-old Sherpa praised Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel for improving public health. "He is doing a great job," Sherpa said.
