Workshops to develop Hospital Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans in Sudurpashchim, Karnali and Lumbini provinces concludes

May – December 2024 | Sudurpashchim, Karnali and Lumbini provinces - The Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), under the Ministry of Health and Population, has successfully concluded a series of workshops to develop Hospital Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (HDPRP) in Sudurpashchim, Karnali and Lumbini provinces. Over the course of seven months, 44 satellite hospitals have developed their HDPRPs to bolster their capacity to respond effectively to disasters and public health emergencies. The workshops brought together more than 170 participants, including health-care workers and administrators, who collaborated to create individual HDPRPs using the Hospital Safety Index Plus (HSI+) app. Participants were oriented on the coordination and communication mechanisms for disaster and public health emergencies, including the HEOC network and the hub-and-satellite hospital network. The orientation also covered a comprehensive approach to managing disaster and public health emergencies within hospitals, emphasizing the optimal utilization of available resources. Participants also tested the plans through facilitated tabletop exercises. The plans will now be disseminated within respective hospitals to update staff and facilitate effective implementation for better preparedness. This initiative was supported by the European Commission.