In the heart of Makwanpur district, nestled among lush green landscapes and home to diverse ethnic groups like the Tamang and the Chepang, Gautam realized the urgent need for better healthcare facilities. The district, known for its rough terrain and economic hardships, had limited medical services, primarily centered around the overstretched provincial hospital in Hetauda. Here, the plight of the local people, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, painted a stark picture: inadequate healthcare, overwhelmed facilities, and communities in dire need of support.

Inspired by the government’s initiative to build a tunnel that would drastically cut travel time between Makwanpur and Kathmandu, Gautam envisioned the Siddhasthali Rural Community Hospital as a beacon of hope. This hospital would serve the locals and act as a critical hub for the broader Terai region. The proposed tunnel promised improved connectivity, facilitating easier movement for healthcare professionals and critical supplies from the capital.

Gautam began his mission by conducting extensive field research and documenting the healthcare challenges faced by the indigenous populations and the general populace of Makwanpur. He compiled data on the high rates of home childbirths, the fear surrounding hospital visits during the pandemic, and the alarming mortality rates. His findings illustrated a clear and pressing need for a facility that could provide both emergency and routine medical care.

To bring his vision to life, Gautam approached potential funders, emphasizing the strategic importance of the location and the potential impact of the hospital. He pitched the Siddhasthali Hospital Project as not just a building, but as a center for community health development and a training ground for local healthcare professionals.

With initial funding secured, Gautam collaborated with architects and planners to design a hospital that was both functional and sensitive to the local cultural context. He insisted on sustainable building practices and technologies that would ensure long-term operational efficiency and resilience.

Construction began with community involvement at its core. Local workers were hired, providing much-needed employment and skills training. Gautam also set up community meetings to keep the locals informed and engaged, ensuring that the hospital was viewed as a community asset built by and for the people of Makwanpur.

As the hospital took shape, further challenges emerged, including logistical issues with transporting materials through the narrow, winding roads and the need for continuous funding. However, Gautam’s relentless advocacy and the visible progress of the construction inspired more donors and volunteers to support the project.

Finally, with the hospital built, Gautam focused on staffing it with skilled healthcare professionals. Through partnerships with medical institutions in Kathmandu and international health organizations, he facilitated training programs and established a volunteer system where doctors from the capital could serve at Siddhasthali on rotations.

The inauguration of the Siddhasthali Rural Community Hospital was a day of celebration and pride for the entire community. 

Siddhasthali Hospital quickly became a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, dramatically improving access to medical services and reducing travel time for treatment. It stood not just as a testament to Gautam’s vision and perseverance but as a model for rural healthcare, demonstrating how strategic planning, community involvement, and targeted funding could transform lives.