Israel shares trauma response expertise with Nepal, deepening medical cooperation

February 20, Kathmandu: As Nepal continues to strengthen its emergency and disaster response systems, a visiting Israeli trauma expert this week shared lessons drawn from decades of handling complex emergencies and mass-casualty incidents.

The Embassy of Israel in Nepal facilitated the February 16–18 visit of Prof. Dr. Avraham Rivkind, Israel Prize laureate and a globally recognized expert in trauma and emergency medicine.

During his three-day visit, Prof. Rivkind delivered lectures and held professional interactions at Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Centre, focusing on trauma systems, mass casualty management, and disaster preparedness. He also addressed doctors and students at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, toured Patan Hospital, and conducted a nationwide virtual session connecting medical professionals across the country.

Nepal’s exposure to earthquakes, floods, landslides and aviation disasters has repeatedly tested its healthcare system. The 2015 Gorkha Earthquake in particular overwhelmed hospitals and underscored the need for stronger pre-hospital emergency response and coordinated trauma care.

Drawing from Israel’s extensive experience in managing large-scale emergencies, Prof. Rivkind emphasised rapid triage, trained first responders and structured trauma systems. He expressed interest in supporting Nepal’s pre-hospital emergency network by introducing bike-ambulances operated by trained volunteers equipped to provide immediate life-saving assistance before ambulances arrive.

Prof. Rivkind also met officials at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to discuss strengthening disaster response mechanisms and held discussions with consular representatives on managing emergencies involving foreign nationals. Meetings with Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol and National Assembly Member and former ambassador to Israel Dr. Anjan Shakya focused on expanding future medical collaboration.

Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, said the initiative aims to enhance bilateral relations through cooperation in trauma and emergency care.

Prof. Rivkind previously assisted Nepali doctors during the Annapurna avalanche. Following the 2015 earthquake, Israel deployed a fully operational field hospital staffed by 260 medical personnel, treating around 2,000 patients and performing more than 70 surgeries.