Supporting frontline health worker in remote Nepal

Dear Friends,

Our lives have all been impacted by the corona virus in different ways since its inception. In line with an increase in daily living costs, vulnerable residents in Nepal's rural Humla, Bajura, Mugu, Gorkha, and Sindhupalchok districts now have wider access to basic health care.

We sincerely appreciate your support, which has been continuous ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began. As of July, 70.03 percent of people have received the entire recommended dosage. With your help, we were able to acquire enough personal protective gear and materials for infection control for our rural health workers. It enabled them to serve the community while feeling healthy and motivated.

Meet Ms. Manisha (Staff member, name used with permission), one of our pandemic warrior, who has continued to provide service at Huma-Jair, Maila, and Bajura-Bichhya since the outbreak of the infection. Together with her team, she is able to ensure that services like covid screening, prevention measures orientation, safe delivery services, immunization services, and regular checkups for pregnant women, new mothers, and senior citizens are provided.

"I feel quite grateful to be able to serve in these communities, especially during the pandemic," she said. This medical facility serves as the only guardian medical facility for areas up to three or four hours distant.

When the pandemic began, even we were unsure of how to respond to the pandemic. But immediately once, the central office provided us with orientation, protective gear, and infection prevention kits, which encouraged us to continue on with the service.

We perform at least eight to nine deliveries per month at our health post. In the midst of the pandemic, we were able to diagnose complicated cases like twin babies (one of them had spinal bifida), postpartum hemorrhage, and successfully refer them to the hospital. As we continued to focus on the COVID infections, we also dealt with other serious cases such as retained placenta, chronic respiratory issues, and injuries, and encouraged the community to keep their distance, wear masks, and practice good hygiene."

In the last three months, our frontline workers have been able to provide 91 safe deliveries in remote areas of Humla, Bajura, Mugu, and earthquake-affected districts Gorkha and Sindhupalchok, including 11 complicated deliveries such as retained placenta, prolonged postpartum hemorrhage, breech with footing, and twin delivery.

In addition, 15,793 cases were treated, with 2,749 children under the age of five receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Local residents were encouraged to practice healthy habits through 1,306 community events. Our staff was able to provide primary health care and a 24-hour emergency service, as well as provide community members with information on how to respond appropriately throughout the pandemic.

PHASE Nepal is committed, as always, to the safety of its team members. Adequate supplies were maintained at each location and every staff are advised to use personal protective equipment while making patient consultations for infection prevention. 

All of our work would not have been possible without the kind contribution of our donors like you. We really appreciate your willingness to ultimately empower Himalayan frontline health workers during the pandemic.

During the devastating second wave last year, hundreds of people lost their life in Nepal. This time, the majority of health care workers were also infected. Resulting, shortage of medical staff in Nepal.

Our frontline health workers who serve in remote areas were also infected, but fortunately, they had only mild symptoms. PHASE Nepal is committed, as always, to the safety of its team members. Adequate supplies were maintained at each location and every staff were advised to use the personal protective equipment while making patient consultation to infection prevention. All PHASE staff are got full set of COVID vaccination.

The situation in Nepal is improving after the third wave of crisis. For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, local governments have begun the training for frontline workers.

PHASE frontline workers received an refresher training on essential nutrition, where they practiced preparing a diet with local ingredients. Nine PHASE health workers completed a two-month long Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) training organized at the Maternity Hospital in Kathmandu following the national health curriculum.

After the training, one of our ANM who has been practicing maternal and child care in various areas of Bajura, Humla and Mugu for more than 5 years shares, “Our training was on hold past two years due to the pandemic. It was finally possible. With this opportunity to train at the national maternity hospital, I learned a lot about saving the lives of mothers and babies. I am more confident that I will be able to provide the right diagnosis, calmly manage the situations and make timely referral decisions.”

Even in the midst of the epidemic, our front-line health workers have continued primary health care and emergency services in Nepal's most remote districts. Thank you for your continued support. Our team's confidence in continuing to save the lives of underprivileged communities is intact as a result of your contribution.

In the last four months, our frontline workers (21 Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery, 3 Staff Nurses, 4 Health Assistants, and local social mobilizers) have been able to provide 133 safe deliveries in remote areas of Humla, Bajura, Mugu, and earthquake-affected districts Gorkha and Sindhupalchok, including 7 complicated deliveries such as retained placenta, prolonged postpartum hemorrhage, breech with footing, and twin delivery.

In addition, 17,166 cases were treated, with 2,884 children under the age of five receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Local residents were encouraged to practice healthy habits through 1,430 community events. Our staff was able to provide primary health care and 24-hour emergency service, as well as provide community members with information on how to respond appropriately throughout the pandemic.

All of our work would not have been possible without the kind contribution of our donors like you. We really appreciate your willingness to ultimately empower Himalayan frontline health workers during the pandemic.