Simulation exercise conducted in Lumbini Province

Butwal, Lumbini province - The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and WHO Country Office for Nepal, successfully conducted a two-day simulation exercise (tabletop exercise) on 4-5 February in Lumbini Province to test and strengthen the Hospital Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (HDPRP) within the hub and satellite hospital networks. This is the first simulation conducted by the Ministry of Health and Population to test the HDPRP of hospitals in the province. Thirty-five critical health-care hospital staff, responsible for preparedness and response to disaster and public health emergencies, evaluated HDPRP of Lumbini Provincial Hospital along with coordination and communication between Lumbini Provincial Hospital (hub hospital) and its satellite hospitals. By simulating real-life scenarios, the exercise provided hospital staff with hands-on orientation on their roles and responsibilities during emergencies, ensuring the operational practicality of the developed plans, optimal resource utilization and timely action. This initiative aligns with the MoHP’s ongoing efforts to implement the 11-point declaration from the National Conference of Hub and Satellite Hospital Networks held in June 2022. Similar activities are planned for Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. The activity was supported by the European Commission.