Unified health campaign to be launched in 28 districts

KATHMANDU, Jan 2: The government has decided to launch a unified health campaign in 28 districts in the current fiscal year, targeting people who are deprived of basic health services. The ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) said people in the far-flung areas will benefit from the campaign.



MoHP has allocated Rs 56 million for the campaign. Rs two million will be spent in each district. Primary Health Revitalization Division (PHRD) under the Department of Health Services (DHS) believes the campaign will bring better outcome.[break]



“Students of medical colleges, doctors, nurses, health experts of government health centers will participate in the campaign,” Madan Bahadur Shrestha, an official with PHRD, said. He said some medical colleges have committed to send doctors and students for the campaign.



It said people of the selected districts will get all health services at once in the campaign. Mass awareness program will also be organized as part of the campaign. Shrestha said experts will conduct screening test to identify health problems of the local people.



Family Health Division (FHD) under DHS said well-trained doctors and nurses will provide family planning, safe motherhood program, nutrition programs, neonatal care package, immunization and other health services.



“We will inspire the people to receive free health services through the campaign,” Chief of FHD Dr Naresh Pratap KC said.



He hoped the campaign would encourage women to give birth in hospitals where qualified health workers can oversee their delivery. “The campaign aims to improve the survival rate of mothers and newborns in remote villages,” he added. The ministry said all services of regular programs will be provided at once in the campaign.



PHRD said the campaign will be lunched in two phases. In the first phase, the campaign will be organized in Sarlahi, Bara, Kapilbastu, Saptari, Bardhia, Kailali, Siraha, Nawalparashi, Dhanusha, Sunsari, Puthan, Mahottari, Banke and Kanchanpur districts. Likewise, in the second phase, the program will be organized in Morang, Baglung, Rolpa, Bajura, Ilam, Gulmi, Rautahat, Parsa,Taplejung, Mugu, Dolakha, Rukum, Jajarkot, and Doti districts.



The campaign is expected to help achieve the objectives of Millennium Development Goals. A similar campaign was launched in eights districts last year.

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