Integrating burns training into the national system in Nepal

Burn injuries are a significant public health concern in Nepal. Interburns has worked closely with local partners in the country for many years to develop, pilot and improve an integrated comprehensive approach. This has had tangible results at the community level in terms of creating awareness of risks and reducing the number of burn injuries. It is one of the many reasons we chose Nepal as the location of our first Regional Hub (Asia).

We are delighted that a significant milestone has been reached towards integrating burn care education more deeply into the national healthcare system. In collaboration with the National Health Training Centre (NHTC) and Interplast Nepal (IPNL), Interburns recently successfully conducted two consecutive Primary Burn Care Management Training courses at Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital (SKMH).

The training targeted health professionals from peripheral health facilities, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills to improve burn care outcomes. The six-day program featured nine modules, including burn pathophysiology, fluid resuscitation, emergency procedures in acute burns, wound dressing, infection prevention and control, communication strategies, prevention, and the treatment of minor burn injuries in peripheral hospitals.

31 participants, representing all seven provinces of Nepal, completed the training. Sessions were led by an expert faculty comprising surgeons, nurses, and physiotherapists all with extensive experience in burn care and training.

This training exemplifies how partnerships and targeted training can bridge gaps in burn care and create a lasting impact on healthcare delivery across the country.

With thanks to all the faculty who made this training such a success, as well as our partners, and funders