Our dear friend Dr Bill Hanlon established the NGO "Basic Health International" in 2003 in order to develop and support self-sustainable public health and primary health care projects in remote, under serviced, high altitude communities in different parts of the world.
Bill invited me in 2014 to travel to one of his ongoing health projects in the remote Shimshal village in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan where we sought out shepherds in the 5000 m high summer pastures. This video gives an overview of the type of work and style of approach that Bill has adopted amongst alpine cultures on several continents.
I was fascinated to learn that the Shimshalis are the Pakistani equivalent of Nepal’s Sherpas when it comes to guiding and carrying loads on the high peaks of the Karakoram. Rajab Shah, first Pakistani to climb K2, and creator of Shimshal Valley climbing school, makes a cameo appearance in the film in a consultation between Bill and his ailing grandson.
Find out more on BHI at: basichealthinternational.org