KATHMANDU: The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) has opened its aid posts in Manang and Pheriche for the autumn 2026 trekking season, with volunteer doctors and support staff deployed to provide medical services in the mountain areas.

The association said its medical director, Dr Buddha Basnyat, conducted pre-deployment training for the volunteer doctors on altitude sickness, its treatment and other health problems that can occur in mountain environments. The doctors also received orientation on travellers' diarrhoea and febrile illnesses among travellers to Nepal.

The Manang aid post has been staffed by Australian doctor Robert James Edward Dickson and UK doctor Victoria Jane Robertson, along with officer Thaneshwar Bhandari and cook Hasta Bahadur Tamang. The Pheriche aid post has been staffed by Dr. Sujan Paudel, Nepali Doctor, UK doctor Mary Abercrombie and Australian doctor Matthew Alex McAlpine, supported by aid-post assistant Prakash Khatri and cook Kumar Rai.

HRA said both aid posts will provide emergency services around the clock. Daily sessions on altitude sickness will also be held at 3 pm at the aid posts.

The association said preparations for operating the facilities were completed before the teams were deployed. Medical services began after the volunteer doctors and staff reached the respective aid posts.

The aid posts are scheduled to remain operational until the end of November.

HRA said the operation has received coordination and support from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Health Services, Department of Labour, Department of Immigration, Nepal Medical Council, NTNC, Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.

The association has operated mountain medical facilities to provide medical care and health information to trekkers in high-altitude areas. For the autumn season, its Kathmandu office will remain open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.