In the remote mountainous district of Achham where reaching a hospital can take over 9 hours access to timely trauma care can mean the difference between life and death. Recognizing this urgent gap Nyaya Health Nepal in partnership with Bayalpata Hospital, Brown University and HAPSA initiated an innovative trauma care training program for Community Health Responders (CHRs).
These CHRs (teachers, police, officers, drivers and local leaders) are the first to arrive during emergencies long before professional medical help is available. In 2023 35 CHRs from one of Achham’s most underserved municipalities were trained using an adapted WHO Basic Emergency Care curriculum. Hands-on sessions taught practical life saving techniques like fracture immobilization and chest wound care.
With support from local government hospital leadership and international experts this program is building a community based emergency response model. CHRs now use handbooks direct communication with Bayalpata clinicians and are soon to be supported by a digital tool featuring locally made videos.
This pilot effort showcases how local leadership global collaboration and community empowerment can address trauma care challenges in rural low resource settings and serve as replicable model for other regions worldwide.
“Equipping CHRs with trauma care skills isn’t just about medical care it’s about resilience readiness and saving lives.” — Dr. Ramu Kharel
Read the full article published in the Rhode Island Medical Journal here: http://www.rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2024-10.asp
Community Health Responders for Trauma
