When a crash left two people seriously injured on a roadway in Dharan, Eastern Nepal, in early 2024, it was not emergency medical professionals or firefighters who jumped into action to save lives — but a group of Lion doctors that happened to be passing through at the right time.

A couple of tourists visiting from India were sightseeing via motorcycle when they skidded off the roadway. A group of Lions came upon the harrowing scene.

“Two individuals lay seriously injured and bleeding in the middle of the road, their bodies bearing the weight of multiple fractures, including those of the temporomandibular joint, tibia and fibula,” said Leo-Lion Dr. Shuvam Kumar Agrawal.

The Lion DoctorsDr. Agrawal along with Dr. Shrawan Kumar Mandal, Dr. Rahul Raushan and Dr. Madhusudan Madhav, members of the Lions Club of Dharan Ghopa United, were traveling to Golkhaadi for a day of relaxation and preparation for an upcoming health camp aimed to address critical issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, vision problems, oral health and cervical cancer in a remote village under Lions Club of Dharan Ghopa United’s “Lions’ Doctors on Doors” mobile health clinic project. The doctors noticed the emergency ahead and, with time ticking away and the lives of the injured hanging in the balance, jumped in to help without hesitation.

As every agonizing minute passed, with poor network connectivity and no sign of an ambulance, the doctors remained steadfast in their commitment to saving lives. They provided first aid to stop the bleeding, stabilized dislocated body parts and took measures to prevent further injuries. Once the victims were in relatively stable condition, the Lions attempted to flag down passing vehicles to help transport the injured to the nearest medical center. Unfortunately, no one stopped.

More than an hour later, a group of police officers arrived and rushed the injured civilians to the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences where they received the lifesaving medical care they required. While the doctors were relieved the victims could finally be treated, they were disheartened by the lack of empathy and willingness to help displayed by bystanders on the roadway during the emergency.

The group hopes their story will inspire others to step up in the face of crisis and offer whatever help they can. “At Lions International, we often say, ‘Where there is a need, there is a Lion,’ and this event is a true representation of that statement,” said Dr. Agrawal. “Let us learn the importance of swift and selfless action in times of crisis, the value of compassion and solidarity, and the profound impact that even small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others.”