Start an IR program at Dhulikhel Hospital. There are currently no interventional radiology capabilities in Nepal. I am currently an interventional radiologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Our surgical colleagues have already started surgical programs at that hospital and have invited us to start an IR program. This will involve training current staff that are interested in specializing in IR and also setting up an IR training program. The IR training program will involve a testing and accreditation process for the trainees.
As there are currently no IR capabilities in Nepal, this will provide training for interested staff to be able to provide IR services and set up a teaching program.
The hospital covers a population of 2.7 million people from Bhaktapur, Dolakha, Kavrepalanchowk, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Sindhuli and other districts. Dhulikhel Hospital provides services to people from more than 50 out of 75 districts of the country. There are significant number of cases referred from different parts of the country.
This population will benefit as they currently have no access to IR services. Dhulikhel hospital is a teaching hospital and has a large catchment area.
This impact will be significant as this will start Nepal’s first IR department and training program.
It was a honor to work for Dhulikhel Hospital. This hospital primarily serves the rural underserved population of Nepal. We provided training to the staff at Dhulikhel for expanding their endovascular services. This included doctors, residents, nurses, and technologists. With this training, Dhulikhel can provide endovascular services to a patient population that has no other access to endovascular procedures.
