Nepal: Hospitals better prepared to deal with emergencies
18-09-2013 News Release 13/157
Kathmandu (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Dhulikhel Hospital of Kathmandu University are jointly organizing an emergency-room trauma course which will take place at the hospital from 18 to 21 September.
More than 20 doctors are due to attend the course, which aims to enhance and complement the skills of doctors in managing emergency trauma cases.
Registrar of Kathmandu University Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa and Sylvie Thoral, head of the ICRC delegation in Nepal, today jointly opened the course by lighting the lamp. "Expanding the capability of medical professionals to deal with trauma cases is crucial in Nepal – especially since the country is earthquake-prone, does not have enough medical facilities and runs the risk of an overwhelming number of casualties in the event of such a disaster," said Ms Thoral in her address.
Since 2011, Dhulikhel Hospital has been working together with the ICRC to gradually take charge of the course. "Dhulikhel Hospital aims to offer and develop such courses on its own," said Dr Rajendra Koju, the hospital's administrative director. "This course is crucial to building and expanding a much-needed pool of doctors with expertise in trauma management."
An ICRC specialist surgeon, Dr Abdullah Quazzaz, supported by three doctors from Dhulikhel Hospital, will lead the course. The ICRC has already organized seven courses of this kind in Nepal. Over 140 doctors and specialists from 60 hospitals have completed the course successfully.
The ICRC plans to hold two more such courses in 2013 with the aim of reaching 60 doctors working in government hospitals from all regions of the country. The next course is scheduled to take place in Nepalgunj on 25-27 September, followed by one in Pokhara on 1-3 October.
For further information, please contact:
Binod Kafle, ICRC Kathmandu, tel: +977 1 4107285 or +977 98510 74295