In view of the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases (including severe cases) in Nepal, a demand for training to enhance the skills of healthcare workers to take care of critically ill COVID-19 patients was prioritized by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). This urgent need brought together the MoHP, National Health Training Center (NHTC), Nepal Medical Association (NMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO), Country Office for Nepal. Together, they held the Critical Care Training for Health Care Workers: COVID-19 Program that attracted more than 11,000 medical professionals comprising doctors, nurses, specialists, and paramedics from all corners of Nepal.
The virtual training program was held from 27 May to 5 June and had active participation from all provinces in Nepal with 11,678 participants.
"This training course was designed after rigorous discussions among experts based on the needs that came from the hospitals and the colleagues involved in the COVID-19 treatment and management,” said Mr. Mohammad Daud, Director of NHTC.
The training focused on rational use of available resources by providing essential knowledge and skills in critical care while also equipping participants to better deal with oxygen therapy, clinical management of COVID-19, infection prevention and control, use of mechanical ventilators, and end of life care.
"Given the current situation, there is an extreme need for trained human resources, especially in COVID-19 treatment and management. This training also aims to empower those colleagues who have recently joined service,” said Dr. Lochan Karki, President of NMA.
Although the program was initially designed for 500 participants, it had to be expanded due to an overwhelming number of health care workers registering, which cemented the fact that such training was much needed. Post-training feedback from participants also showed that healthcare workers who were new recruits found the course highly beneficial and motivating.
“With the virus now active in all 77 districts, it is crucial that health workers across the country are properly trained in critical care and possess up-to-date knowledge to save as many lives as possible. This program was a step towards ensuring that and we hope that participants effectively use what they’ve learnt at the program in their professional settings,” said Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal.
The ten-day program was also supported by Society of Internal Medicine, Society of Anesthiologists of Nepal, Nepalese Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Critical Care Nurses Association of Nepal.