Bringing care to the injured in rural Nepal

The AO Alliance Outreach Program in Nepal, led by Prof. Ramesh P. Singh pictured above, has been a lifeline for underserved patients in Balara, Nepal. Every year, Singh and his dedicated team of trauma and orthopedic surgeons, along with operating room personnel from Kathmandu, bring care to patients who suffer from neglected injuries that were either improperly treated or left unattended due to the lack of accessible healthcare.

In addition to delivering care, the outreach program places a strong emphasis on education and training. Local paramedics are trained in nonoperative fracture care, such as bandaging and reduction techniques and plaster casting. These skills are taught during “health camps,” where paramedics immediately put their training into practice by treating patients under the supervision of the outreach team.

This year’s initiative saw over 30 paramedics attend the AO Alliance fracture management seminar in Balara and tend to the 200 patients awaiting consultations. This hands-on training empowers paramedics to continue offering care in remote regions, where specialized trauma services are scarce.

Nepal’s mountainous terrain poses significant challenges to healthcare access, particularly for trauma care. Road traffic accidents are on the rise, and a shortage of qualified trauma and orthopedic surgeons, especially in rural regions, limits timely and appropriate treatment. This makes the training of paramedics even more important.
The AO Alliance Outreach Program in Nepal continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of both patients and healthcare workers. Through a combination of direct care and essential training, Singh and his team are transforming trauma care in rural Nepal, offering hope to those who need it most.