Nepal builds a national pool of trainers to lead Community First Health Responders Training

A trainer demonstrates the proper technique for performing CPR on a mannequin during a training of trainers session for Community First Health Responders. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya

The National Health Training Centre (NHTC), under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), with support from WHO Nepal and the European Commission, has developed a nationwide pool of 188 trainers to lead Community First Health Responders (CFHR) training. This milestone initiative strengthens Nepal’s emergency preparedness and community resilience by equipping local responders with lifesaving skills. 

Mobilized from all seven provinces with a strong focus on Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, the trainers come from government and private hospitals as well as key organizations involved in strengthening pre-hospital care.

A trainee practices bandaging a fracture during a training of trainers session for Community First Health Responders. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya

These trainers will teach essential first aid, safe patient transfer techniques, and early outbreak detection to community members and frontline responders. Their role is critical in bridging the gap between incident sites and formal health facilities, particularly during the “golden hour” when timely intervention can save lives.

“Every hour matters during an emergency. By training local responders who are the first to reach victims, we are ensuring that communities are not left helpless while waiting for hospital care,” said Dr Prakash Budhathoki, Chief of Health Emergency Disaster Management Unit.

Ms Aakriti Dhital, a trainer from Karnali Province reflected, “In o, hospitals are often hours away. This training gives us the skills to save lives right where emergencies happen, and I feel eager to return to my community to share these lifesaving techniques.”

Mr Bhuwan Kunwar, director of the Health Training Center of Lumbini Province, highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative: “This is the first of its kind in Nepal, building a sustainable cadre of trainers from non-health backgrounds who will not only cascade lifesaving skills but also can detect and report unusual health incidents thereby strengthening the early detection and response to public health events across the country.”

Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, added, “Preparedness is a cornerstone of an effective health emergency response, and WHO remains committed in its support of Nepal’s journey towards stronger health emergency preparedness, rapid response and long-term resilience.”

This pool of trainers will now go on to train more community first responders across the country, equipping them with vital skills to strengthen nationwide emergency preparedness.