KATHMANDU: The Nepal Army (NA) and the United States Army have launched a joint medevac training exercise in Kathmandu Monday.

NA Brigadier General (Technical, Clinical Registrar) Dr. Rajiv Raj Shahi inaugurated the Medical Evacuation Information Exchange (MEEA) program with the participation of US Army and Nepal Army personnel at Birendra Hospital and Mahabir (Ranger) Battalion in Chhauni, Kathmandu.

Dr. Shahi, who is also the Technical Assistant in the training exercises, welcomed the participants to the training and briefed them about the medevac training exercise.

The training exercise is aimed at improving the process of rescuing military personnel injured during various army operations or disasters and providing them quick medical support.

The ability to react quickly to a medical emergency is paramount to any Army operation and one of the key capabilities is the ability of military personnel to successfully maneuver to a patient and provide rapid medical evacuation.

A total of 60 military personnel (18 from the US Army and 42 from the NA) are participating in the joint exercises that will last till Friday.

According to the NA, the military of the two countries would exchange information on their medevac plans, medical response equipment, and communication equipment throughout the training exercise.

According to the NA Directorate of Public Relations and Information, there is also a plan to conduct live air medevac demonstration by conducting tabletop exercises.

According to the Directorate, the joint exercises will enhance the capacity of Nepal and US Armies while providing quick and easy medical care in the future and also deepen the friendly relations between the military personnel of the two countries.