Recently, the Nepal Public Health Foundation in Ward 11, Kapilvastu Municipality. This visit provided an opportunity to meet the dedicated staff and gain insights into their approach to managing the healthcare system.
Author: NPHF
Review and Evaluation Program with Agriculture Cooperatives
Review and Evaluation Program with Agriculture Cooperatives was conducted on 16th May 2024. Attendees included the Chief of DCC Chitwan, representatives from Agriculture Development Office Chitwan, and Agriculture Chiefs from Ratnanagar, Kalika, and Madi, along with representative from agricultural cooperatives.
The objectives of the program were to exchange experiences, challenges, and expectations among cooperatives and groups operating farmer field schools, and to evaluate the level of involvement and participation of cooperatives in IPM (Integrated Pest Management) farmer field schools.
Additionally, the program aimed to collect feedback from agricultural experts on the effectiveness of these schools in enhancing cooperative capacities and addressing agricultural challenges, and to discuss the potential role and programs that cooperatives could undertake for pesticide reduction in the future.
Meetings held at Lumbini Province to discuss the vision for reducing the maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rate (MNMR) through a digitalized approach
Series of meetings were held at Lumbini Province to discuss the vision for reducing the maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rate (MNMR) through a digitalized approach in the region considering the high maternal mortality rate there.
The recent pilot study conducted by the Nepal Public Health Foundation in Dapcha Ward-9, Namobuddha Municipality, was used as an exampler for the vision. Key findings from the study were shared, and future plans to extend the study to Kapilvastu district, Lumbini Province, were highlighted.
Future efforts will now be directed towards uncovering the root causes of maternal deaths in the region, with collaboration with key governmental bodies at Lumbini Province.
Collaborative meeting between Nepal Public Health Foundation, Ministry of Health and Population, and Nepal Health Research Council
A collaborative meeting was held between Nepal Public Health Foundation, Ministry of Health and Population, and Nepal Health Research Council. Discussions centred around the recent pilot study that was conducted by Nepal Public Health Foundation to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality at Dapcha Ward-9, Namobuddha Municipality. Key findings were shared along with the future plans to conduct the study in Kapilvastu district, Lumbini Province considering the high Maternal mortality there. Efforts will be now directed to uncover the root causes of maternal deaths in the region, with collaboration between key organizations being a key focus.
Capacity Building and Career Development
Nepal Public Health Foundation hosted a remarkable 2-day program on ‘Capacity Building and Career Development’ for Farming Health and Environment Nepal (FHEN) staffs at Green Valley Resort, Budanilkantha, on April 20th and 21st, 2024. Insightful sessions were facilitated covering topics like manuscript writing, grant/proposal writing, stress management, and tax-related matters.
A visit to Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, Hetauda, Makwanpur district
A meeting was held between Nepal Public Health foundation (NPHF) and Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences on 16th April, 2024 in Hetauda, Makwanpur District where solidifying collaboration between the Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF) and Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences was discussed.
In addition to the meeting, there was an insightful visit to the research center of the Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences and the Madan Bhandari Memorial College of Bachelor in Public Health.
Discussion Meeting on MMR and NMR of Bagmati Province with Ministry of Health, Bagmati Province
A discussion meeting was conducted on 16th April, 2024 with the Health Ministry of Bagmati Province in Hetauda in presence of Hon’able Health Minister Rameshwor Shrestha, Secretary of Health Ministry Mr. Badri Bahadur Khadka, Sr. Health Administrator Dr. Khageshwor Gelal core members of Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences and other concerned officials of Health Ministry of Bagmati Province to discuss the situation of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of Bagmati Province.
Discussion on Global and Nepal’s Clinical Trial Landscape with Dr. Vasee Moorthy, Senior Advisor, Research and Development WHO Geneva
Nepal Public Health Foundation hosted a Breakfast Meeting with Dr. Vasee Moorthy, Senior Advisor of Research and Development, WHO Headquarters Geneva along with other participants from the National Health Research Council, the Institute of Medicine, Ministry of Health and Population, and Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal with the discussions centered around the global and Nepalese clinical trial landscape.
The discussion highlighted the significance of raising awareness about clinical trials, particularly from local perspectives. Key points covered included the availability of guidelines to ensure ethical conduct during trials, building capacity for trial execution, and the support provided by WHO for clinical trials in Nepal. Various clinical trials, notably those related to COVID-19, conducted by NHRC and other organizations were presented. Additionally, the resources available in Nepal, such as technical experts and medical personnel, were showcased, along with discussions on collaboration models like those employed by OUCRU.
The importance of prioritizing focus areas to secure government attention, addressing public skepticism towards research findings, and the procedures for formulating policy and protocols for trials were also discussed. Furthermore, insights from a pilot study in Dapcha titled “Reducing MMR and NMR in an eco-ethnographically diverse province of Nepal through an engaged digitalized comprehensive continuum of care” were shared.
Discussion Meeting on pesticide related policies with Agriculture Minister of Bagmati Province
Nepal Public Health Foundation had a productive discussion with Dr. Rajendra Man Shrestha, the distinguished Agriculture Minister of Bagmati Province on 12th April, 2024 with the purpose of enhancing pesticide minimization policies and promoting the adoption of organic practices.
Discussion about pilot study in Namobuddha Municipality
Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF) hosted a discussion meeting in presence of the Mayor of Namobuddha municipality Mr. Kunsang Lama and other concerned officials and stakeholders on 5th April, 2024, to present findings from the pilot study conducted in Ward No. 9, Dapcha of Namobuddha Municipality to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.
Workshop on Antimicrobial Resistance and Vaccines
Nepal Public Health Foundation in collaboration with The One Health Trust and The Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP) organized a workshop on “Antimicrobial Resistance and Vaccines “at the Yellow Pagoda Hotel, Kathmandu on 11th January, 2024.
Antimicrobial Resistance, a silent epidemic, as stated by the World Health Organization requires immediate action from all the actors. Vaccines are highly effective tools for containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as they prevent infections, lessen antimicrobial use thereby mitigate the development and spread of AMR.
Promoting vaccines as an effective tool to combat AMR is the aim of the program. The workshop was well attended by the experts from both human health and animal health sector.
Hiking for a Cause
Nepal Public Health Foundation under the Project Framing Health and Environment Nepal conducted a Hiking for a Cause on 9th March. The theme of the event was ” No to pesticide today, celebration for tomorrow”.
The program was joined by Public Health Students from various reputed universities of Nepal. The hiking was accompanied by a Visit to Hasera Agriculture Research and Training Center where a session about organic agriculture, permaculture and ecology was provided.
It was a very interactive session with active participation from all the participants. Overall, the event was a knowledgeable experience, with participants gaining valuable insights about organic agriculture, permaculture, and ecology during the session at the HASERA Agriculture Research and Training Center.