Author: nphfoundation

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Activities carried out:

• 1. A situation assessment study on pesticide use and its health effects in Chitwan District have been conducted and the findings of the study were disseminated to the local government. The data is also being used by local government agencies.
• 2. Participatory planning workshop was conducted among different groups of stakeholders in Shivanagar, ward 14 of Bharatpur metropolitan so as to prepare detail implementation plan for the year. This was a collaborative effort of ward and FHEN project.
• 3. Farmers Field School (FFS) at Shivanagar is being successful. Farmers recently had an exposure tour to different places of Chitwan to internalize different successful examples of adopting Integrated Pest Management.
• 4. Refresher training to local farmers from phase 1 of FHEN has been completed. It was about safe handling of pesticides and farmers’ role in pesticide minimization.
• 5. Sensitization training was conducted among pesticide sprayers about safety measure while handling pesticides and personal protective equipment are distributed to them to provoke behavior change
• 6. Three day training was conducted targeting pesticide retailers for their awareness on safe handling of pesticides and motivation to influence farmers in the same line. Pesticide retailers have now become change agents in pesticide minimization campaigns.
• 7. Various awareness and advocacy campaigns are ongoing for promoting safe and healthy food production with ensured health of farmers and consumers.
• 8. The existing activities and outcomes of the project are being reflected in local and national media and newspapers.
• 9. Local government is found to incorporate the concept of project in their plans and programs. For example, Rapti municipality has developed ‘Pesticide Minimization Act’ and is currently conducting various programs of Integrated Pest Management Movement.

1. 1. Training for Community Pharmacists

The misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs is accelerating the development of resistance, this is especially observed when antimicrobials are available over the counter. Studies showed that more than 50 percent of antibiotics are sold without prescription globally, the situation in Nepal is even worse. Hence, GARP-Nepal in collaboration with Department of Drug Administration developed a training manual for community pharmacists to equip them with required knowledge on prudent use and sale of antimicrobials to limit the spread of resistance.

A Training of Trainers (TOT) program was organized at Department of Drug Administration (DDA) meeting hall for training the participants representing DDA, National Medicine Laboratory (NML), National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC) and National Health Training Centre (NHTC) on the burning issue of Antimicrobial Resistance. These trainers will then be providing successive trainings to community pharmacists and drug retailers.

2. 2. Orientation Program on Antimicrobial Stewardship (ASP) at Chitwan Medical College

Introduction of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) in health facilities have been found to be effective in bringing about a decrease of 22-36% in antimicrobial use. Working towards this, GARP Nepal together with DDA has initiated to start ASP Program across various institutions in the country and has prepared a Policy document ASP. An orientation program on ASP was organized at Chitwan Medical College to facilitate implementation of ASP at CMC.