Accidents, trauma and devastating events like the recent earthquakes in Nepal create a pressing need for well-trained emergency medicine providers.
HVO’s Emergency Medicine Project
Since 2010, Health Volunteers Overseas has operated a project in Bhutan aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of emergency care provided in the Emergency Department at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan. The HVO Emergency Medicine project strives not only to advance clinical knowledge of the country’s emergency medicine providers, but also to collaborate with Bhutanese practitioners in developing ways of improving the delivery of emergency care.
The prime educational intervention for HVO’s Bhutan EM project is bedside teaching. Working alongside local staff, HVO volunteers review the clinical assessment and management of patients in the emergency department; in a situation where every minute counts, the focus is on improving clinical assessment and medical decision-making skills.
Many volunteers have traveled to the site since the project started five years ago. Volunteers and local staff have reported a number of improvements in the areas of patient assessment and monitoring, ventilator management, and pain management. There have also been improvements in continuing education opportunities and staff organization. The project continues to provide education and professional development opportunities to emergency medicine staff in Bhutan, and facilitates professional exchange and collaboration, contributing to the global emergency medicine community.
HVO’s emergency medicine project is seeking volunteers. Please visit our special projects page to learn more about the project and ways to get involved.
The Reach of the Emergency Medicine Community
In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal in late April, a special medical and rescue team from Bhutan traveled to Kathmandu to assist the Nepalese people. The team – dispatched to Nepal at the command of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan – is comprised of more than 70 members of Bhutan’s emergency medicine community and includes HVO partners like Dr. Tashi Tenzin, Head of Emergency at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital. Dr. Tashi Tenzin is a long-time on-site coordinator of HVO’s emergency medicine project. The Bhutanese team has been in Nepal for two weeks, providing essential emergency care.
The generous efforts of Bhutan’s emergency medicine community demonstrate the importance of well-trained health providers in emergencies – and the profound role the global health community has in recovery efforts.
Nepal experienced another powerful, damaging earthquake today. Our thoughts are with Nepal, the enduring Nepalese people, and all who are working on their recovery efforts. Our partner, Global Impact continues raising funds for the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.