Sanukrishna Shrestha and Shreejesh Parajuli

Dr. Shrestha and chief paramedic Shreejesh Parajuli started, from scratch, and service of ambulances that are staffed with paramedics. (Most ambulances in Nepal are just jeeps, with no medical personnel and no equipment or medications on board). Work on the program began prior to the pandemic, and during the past 18 months they have managed to expand the number of ambulances and trained medical personnel who serve their rural, mountainous area. Dhulikhel Hospital is one of few in the country that accepts patients who are unable to pay. Their tireless work to improve patient prehospital care and transport has saved countless lives.

What other characteristics has your Hero demonstrated to support this nomination?

Continuing to advice this important program in the face of COVID, while staffing an overburdened emergency department, shows their amazing dedication to the wellbeing of their neighbors.

Describe the impact of your Hero on a local, regional, national, and/or international level.

Dr. Sanu and Shreejesh started their work after the terrible earthquake of 2015. They initially converted 2 jeeps in to real ambulances, and created a training course for staff on prehospital care. They have created a central dispatch center, a 3-digit emergency phone number, and trained dispatch staff. They are now running 40 ambulances.

Is there anything else about your Hero that you would like the committee to consider?

Dr. Sanu is a quiet man who takes incredible bird photos in his free time. He is incredibly dedicated to improving the welfare of his country by bringing high-quality service to even the remote poor.