Sanduk Ruit denies aiding Hami Nepal

Nepal’s internationally renowned ophthalmologist Sanduk Ruit has distanced himself from involvement with the Hami Nepal group that has taken the lead in the GenZ movement last week that toppled the Nepal government.

Ruit denied links between the Barbara Adams Foundation in Kathmandu where he is chair with the current movement, but added that it had provided workspace for Hami Nepal for relief work during the Covid lockdown five years ago.

“I want to reassure my well-wishers that my heart is clean,” Ruit said in a statement on Monday. “If everyone from all professions work with integrity it will not take long to transform this country. As for myself, I will always be striving to that end from my profession.”

The Foundation was set up by naturalised Nepali citizen Barbara Adams who lived and died in Nepal. Ruit said he had performed cataract operations in both her eyes 25 years ago, and Adams was surprised that such procedures could be done in Nepal at the time.

“She loved Nepal and was committed to help its neediest people,” Ruit said, adding that she left a small endowment to continue the work of the Foundation when she died in 2016.

The Foundation works to uplift underserved communities throughout Nepal, fosters public dialogue and supports investigative journalism to improve governance. 

At a press conference on Sunday, Barbara Foundation members denied providing any financial support to Hami Nepal or other youth groups, saying it is not allowed by its statute and Nepal’s laws to do so.

The Foundation said in a statement: ‘Some sections have taken advantage of the country’s present fragile and sensitive period to spread false news about us. We did help Hami Nepal during the Covid crisis because it was a youth-based nationwide group. We never had any monetary links with that organisation or its members. We urge the public not to fall for disinformation.”

"I have mentored thousands of young Nepalis, and I am proud of them if they carry on with their good work. But we are not involved in the present situation," added Ruit.

The Foundation clarified that it is fully transparent with its funding which mostly comes from Nepali philanthropists. It received Rs98 million from various donors over the past eight years, and has an annual budget of Rs 5million.

“Barbara Foundation does not have any current contact with Hami Nepal, and I have not seen Sudan Gurung for more than a year,” Ruit added.

Members expressed deep regret for the loss of life and condolences to bereaved families in the GenZ rallies and its aftermath. The foundation also said it was distressed by the destruction of public buildings, business and private property last week.

Said Sanduk Ruit: “Every time there is a political upheaval in Nepal, they request me to take the lead. But I am clear: my commitment is to serve Nepalis and the sick all over the world with much knowledge, skill and time. I have always worked to spread the word about Nepal and Nepalis all over the world.”