A report on Health Post Inauguration and Handover Programme

Tistung, Makwanpurgadhi and Nibuwatar

Makwanpur district November 24-25, 2016

Table of Contents

Background ................................................................................................................................... 3

Objectives of the Handover Program .......................................................................................... 4

Handover Program ....................................................................................................................... 5

Day I: Tistung.............................................................................................................................. 5

Day II: Makwanpurgadhi ............................................................................................................ 8

Day II: Nibuwatar...................................................................................................................... 11

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 14

Annex: Photo Gallery ................................................................................................................. 15

Background

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015 and more than 800 aftershocks over the year

were a catastrophe for Nepal wounding almost half of the country and severely affecting 14

districts. Approximately 9,000 people lost their lives and more than 22,000 people got injured in

total. The earthquake also adversely affected Nepal’s health system and infrastructure.

According to Ministry of Health (MoH), a total of 767 health facilities were destroyed in the

earthquake in which 342 facilities were completely destroyed and 281 were partially damaged

(MoH, 2015).

Makwanpur, also among the 14 hardest hit districts of the country, witnessed 33 human deaths,

229 injuries followed by interruptions and difficulties in health care service delivery during and

after the disaster thus, showing a strong need to intervene in strengthening the health service

delivery in the district. After meetings with District Public Health Office (DPHO), Makwanpur,

Central Regional Health Directorate (CRHD) and Ministry of Health (MoH), BNMT and

Americares came to know that a total of 45 health facilities including health posts in the VDCs

Tistung, Nibuwatar, Phakhel, Makwanpurgadhi Basamadi, Dhiyal and Khairang were fully

damaged obstructing proper health care service delivery. BNMT Nepal, with consultation and

request of DPHO Makwanpur, appeared forefront to resolve these issues and started 18 months’

project funded by Americares for construction of above mentioned seven prefabricated health

posts in these VDCs to functionalize the smooth delivery of health services. The project is named

‘Health Facilities Reconstruction and health service strengthening in Makwanpur District

Nepal’ and it aims to strengthen health service delivery and promote community health of all

seven VDCs. Along with the reconstruction of health facilities in the seven VDCs, different

public health interventions such as Community Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

interventions, Mental Health and Psycho social Support Services (MHPSS) program and Disaster

Risk Reduction (DRR) is planned to implement in close coordination with government line

agencies, other concerned stakeholders with active participation of the communities.

The first phase of the project started from February 1, 2016 in which BNMT Nepal constructed

prefabricated Type-I Health Post buildings in four of the intervention VDC’s -Tistung,

Nibuwatar, Phakhel and Makwanpurgadi along with the supply of essential medical equipment

as per government guidelines. The second phase of the project started from August 2016, BNMT

has started the construction process of prefabricated Type-I Health Post buildings in three

remaining VDC’s - Basamadi, Dhiyal and Khairang and plans to supply basic medical

equipment and start public health interventions in the same.

Hence, three of the newly reconstructed health facilities were handed to the Ministry of Health,

Government of Nepal with participation of respective communities in 24 and 25 November

2016. Three Handover programs were organized in Tistung, Makwanpurgadhi and Nibuwatar

VDCs. The Health Secretary, Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti inaugurated the program and BNMT

Nepal Chairperson Mr. Mahesh Sharma formally handed the health facilities to Dr. Upreti in the

presence of DPHO(s), respective Health post In-charge(s), HFOMC(s) and the community

people of the three VDCs.

The health posts, equipped with necessary medical equipment, have sufficient rooms including

staffs quarter to provide 24 hour services as per the basic emergencies and obstetric service

(BEoC) provisions. They have already resumed their regular OPD, minor operation theater,

deliveries and Family planning counseling as well.

OBJECTIVES OF THE HANDOVER PROGRAM

• Handover of three newly constructed prefabricated Type-1 Health Post buildings, built in

line with the government’s standards and guidelines, to MoH, Government of Nepal

Handover Program

DAY I: TISTUNG

The first day of Handover Programme was held in

the premises of newly constructed Tistung Health

Post. The program was commenced by welcoming

and chairing all the distinguished guests by Mr.

Raghu Dhital, Program Manager of BNMT Nepal

and also the MC of the day. There was chairing of

the Chief Guest, Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti, Health

Secretary, Ministry of Health (MoH); followed by

Mr. Shrawan Nayak, CRHD, Mr. Ramchandra Pathak, DPHO, Makwanpur. Then there was

chairing of Chair of Honour, Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairperson, BNMT Nepal; Guest of Honour

Mr. Sunil Khadka, Senior Planning & Infrastructure Development Advisor, NHSSP/MoH; all the

Municipality/ VDC Staffs; HFOMC members; Media personnel; government representatives;

donor representatives and the community people of the VDC.

Mr. Suman Chandra Gurung, Director, BNMT Nepal

welcomed all the distinguished guests and the community

people. He highlighted the contribution made by BNMT

since 1967 especially in communicable diseases such as

Tuberculosis, Child and Women’s health, WASH and

strengthening of health services. He also added that BNMT

Nepal started 18 months project funded by Americares for construction of seven prefabricated

health posts in seven VDC’s as per the guidelines and standards set by Government of Nepal.

Tistung Health Post, one of the seven VDCs, was constructed at the Total cost of NRs. 78 Lakhs

(In words, Nepalese Rupees Seventy eight Lakhs) where NRs 69 Lakhs (In words, Nepalese

Rupees Sixty Nine Lakhs) was contributed from project and NRs 8 Lakhs (In words, Nepalese

Rupees Eight Lakhs) equivalent was contributed by the Tistung community people including

land value. Mr. Gurung mentioned that this initiation stood as the golden opportunity for BNMT

Nepal to serve the community and needy people of VDCs and expressed his hope for timely and

proper maintenance and provision of primary health care

services through this newly constructed Tistung Health Post.

Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health

inaugurated the program by lighting the auspicious lamp

followed by unveiling the curtain from the plaque and ribbon

cutting session. After the inauguration session, Dr. Upreti

handed the certificate of newly constructed Health Post

building to Mr. Ram Chandra Pathak, DPHO, Makwanpur. The community people expressed

their respect and love to the chief guest, guests of honor and donor agency present in the program

by distributing handover note and token of love.

Mr. Kiran Bal, HFOMC Member, Tistung VDC thanked BNMT Nepal and Americares for their

support and initiation for reconstructing the health post in Tistung, heart of Makwanpur District.

He further mentioned that the health post had been providing the ambulance service to the local

charging Nepalese Rupees Five Hundred per service and also the Video X-ray service through

the support from local community. He also acknowledged the problems encountered in the

community such as insufficient medicines and no timely services, discouraging the patients to

visit the health post. He believed that the newly constructed health posts will compliment to

make services regular and save lives of Tistung community people where monthly more than 20

women give birth to their child among thirteen hundred women of reproductive age.

Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairperson, BNMT Nepal thanked all the students and the community for

their warm welcome. He further gave his remarks by welcoming and thanking all the guests and

participants from different sectors. He highlighted BNMT’s history in Nepal since its inception.

He presented the total cost of the health post construction, design and the contribution of the

community people. He acknowledged the contribution made by Tistung community during

construction of the health post and expected the similar effort in near future so that needy people

receive quality health services. He also requested the MoH to play their active role to provide

quality services with skilled and adequate human resources.

Mr. Rohit Odari, Country Director, Americares, appreciated the selfless contribution of the

community people equivalent to Nepalese Rupees Eight Lakhs during this health post

construction. He also appreciated the construction company, contractors and engineers for their

hard work to build this health post building and expect the good quality of service to be delivered

from this health post. He further assured that Americares will continue providing support through

BNMT Nepal in future.

Mr. Shrawan Nayak, CRHD, welcomed all the guests and participants present in the program. He

requested the Ministry of Health to provide the necessary services and support to the health post

and human resources as per the Nepal government rules and policies. Mr. Nayak ensured timely

monitoring and supervision from regional as well as all the health levels to strengthen the quality

services. He concluded his remarks by wishing all the staffs of health post and community

people for the best quality service provision.

Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health thanked the community people for

their warm welcome. He highly appreciated the community for their contribution to build the

health post. He reminded all regarding

the new rules and policies announced

by the MoH of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

office timing in summer and 10:00 am

to 4:00 pm in winter and requested all

the staffs of the health post to follow

the new rule strictly.

He expressed his expectation on

quality service assurance from the health post, community people and government line agencies.

He assured his commitments on providing additional essential medicines to the health post when

necessary. Finally, he thanked BNMT Nepal, Americares and the health posts staff for

organizing the program and inviting him for the inauguration of the health post.

Closing the inauguration session, Mr. Ram Sharan Pathak, DPHO, Makwanpur congratulated

and thanked everyone for their contribution in constructing this health post which was a

commendable work in health sector of the district. He said he expected the quality and timely

service from the health post and assured full support from District Public Health Office to the

health post.

DAY II: MAKWANPURGADHI

The Handover Program was held in the premises of Makwanpurgadhi Health Post. The program

commenced with the brief highlights of the inauguration session and background of the health

post reconstruction project. Mr. Raghu Dhital, Program Manager, BNMT Nepal facilitated the

opening session of the program.

Director of BNMT Nepal, Mr. Suman Chandra

Gurung welcomed everyone present in the

program and highlighted 50-years of BNMT’s

service in Nepal. He highly appreciated the

presence of Health Secretary Ministry of Health,

Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti in this inauguration and

handover program despite his busy schedule. He

expressed his special gratitude towards

community of Makwanpurgadhi for their land contribution to construct the health post. The

Makwanpurgadhi Health Post, one of the seven VDCs, was constructed at the Total cost of NRs.

83 Lakhs (In words, Nepalese Rupees Eighty Three Lakhs) where NRs 69 Lakhs (In words,

Nepalese Rupees Sixty Nine Lakhs) was contributed from project and NRs 2 Lakhs (In words,

Nepalese Rupees Two Lakhs) equivalent was contributed by the Makwanpurgadhi community

people including land value of 12 lakhs (In words, Nepalese Rupees Twelve Lakhs). At the end,

he thanked Americares and BNMT Nepal team for their support in successfully completing this

health post in Makwanpurgadhi.

Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti, Health Secretary,

Ministry of Health inaugurated the health post by

lighting the auspicious lamp followed by

unveiling the curtain from the plaque and ribbon

cutting session. After the inauguration session,

Dr. Upreti handed the certificate of newly

constructed Health Post building to DPHO

Makwanpur followed by Chair of HFOMC.

Mr. Pritam Ram Rumba, former VDC Chair welcomed

everyone on behalf of Makwanpurgadhi community. He felt

that the entire community was very fortunate to get an

immediate support in health services in the form of a new

health facility in just eighteen months of the earthquake. He

further added that in the coming days the growing demand

of health care services may not be fulfilled by this building.

Hence he requested the Health Secretary to construct a

permanent building in future.

The community people expressed their

respect and love to the Chief Guest, guests of

honor and donor agency present in the

program by presenting the Handover Note

and token of love. During the handover

session, Chairperson of BNMT Nepal, Mr.

Mahesh Sharma narrated the details written

in the handover certificate to everyone and thanked Mr. Jeet Bahadur Dimdung and Mr. Lal

Bahadur Dimdung for donating the land to construct the health post building. The handover

certificate was then handed to Dr. Upreti followed by DPHO and chair of HFOMC.

On behalf of Makwanpurgadhi community, Mr. Prakash Neupane and Mr. Bir Bahadur Rumba,

the HFOMC members, jointly felicitated Health Secretary Dr. Upreti.

Representing all Political Parties of Makwanpurgadhi, Mr.

Ram Nath Regmi thanked MoH, BNMT Nepal and

Americares who played a vital role to construct a new

building in Makwanpurgadhi. He also emphasized attention of

MoH on need of additional permanent building for the

sustainability.

Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairperson, BNMT Nepal, welcomed everyone present in the program.

He emphasized that the main responsibility of health post maintenance will be local community

and it should be properly utilized on the optimum level while MoH and DPHO will also perform

their active roles on monitoring and supervision. Lastly, he thanked the construction company,

contractors and engineers for their great effort and providing the quality of work as per design

provided by MoH.

Country Director of Americares, Mr. Rohit Odari briefed about

Americares and assured their support to the health post in the

future as well. He put his concern on the quality of services and

24 hours maternal health services from the health post and

requested the local community to visit the health post and

utilize its services. He further added that Americares and

BNMT Nepal will work together in the coming years in the

district on various public health components such as MHPSS, WASH and Disaster Risk

Reduction (DRR) interventions.

Acting Director, CRHD, Mr. Shrawan Nayak

welcomed everyone and thanked BNMT Nepal for

implementing this project. He emphasized on the

newly announced working hours of government

officials and 24 hours of delivery service and

expected the health posts staffs to follow it.

Chief Guest of the program, MoH Health Secretary, Dr. Upreti, welcomed the entire guests and

the local community present in the program. In his remarks, he highlighted on three following

key points:

1. Community people are requested to utilize available health services and the health service

providers are instructed to stay in the health post regularly and timely deliver their services.

2. MoH is planning to build a permanent building in near future for the long term and regular

delivery of health services.

3. This health facility is a good example of the effort and the unity shown by the community

people in close coordination with MoH, Donor and DPHO which will be a lesson learned for

similar future projects.

At last in the closing remarks, Mr. Ram Chandra Pathak, DPHO Makwanpur thanked everyone

who contributed to build the health post especially BNMT Nepal and Americares. He expressed

his hope for regular and quality services from the health post for which he assured that the

necessary support will be provided from the DPHO.

DAY II: NIBUWATAR

In Nibuwatar, the program started with

chairing session of all the distinguished

guests present in the program especially

Chief Guest Dr. Senendra Raj Upreti,

Health Secretary, Ministry of Health

(MoH); Mr. Shrawan Nayak, Acting

Director, CRHD; Mr. Ram Chandra

Pathak, DPHO, Makwanpur; Chair of Honour, Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairperson, BNMT Nepal;

Guest of Honour Mr. Sunil Khadka, Senior Planning & Infrastructure Development Advisor

NHSSP/MoH; Mr Suman Chandra Gurung, Director, BNMT Nepal; all the representatives from

Municipality/VDC; HFOMC; Media Personnel; Government; Donor; Political Parties; Local

NGO’s; Area Police; FCHVs; Local Cooperatives; Health Posts and all the community people.

After the chairing session, all the representatives from the health post and FCHVs welcomed all

the guests by offering bouquet and garland.

Mr. Dhurba Lamichhane, Senior Auxiliary Health Worker welcomed all the distinguished guests

and expressed his happiness for being able to utilize the local resources of the community. He

thanked BNMT Nepal and Americares for this initiation on behalf of all the community people

and HFOMC, and showed full commitment to work efficiently and effectively in the future as

well.

Chairperson of BNMT Nepal, Mr. Mahesh

Sharma handed the Handover Certificate to Dr.

Senendra Raj Upreti, Health Secretary, Ministry

of Health. Dr. Upreti then handed the certificate

to DPHO, Mr. Ram Sharan Pathak who handed

the same certificate to HFOMC Chairperson, Mr.

Madhav Kadel.

After the handover session, Dr. Upreti, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health inaugurated the

program by lighting the auspicious lamp followed by unveiling the curtain from the plaque and

ribbon cutting.

Representing all the Political Parties of Nibuwatar, Mr. Preeti Lal Lama welcomed and greeted

everyone present in the program. He requested to the Health Secretary and DPHO for the

provision of one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) in birthing center for 24 hours services, one

ambulance for timely health care to the community people and one laboratory for conducting

routine tests in the Nibuwatar health post.

Appreciation Certificate was also handed to the Country Director of Americares, Mr. Rohit

Odari and Chairperson of BNMT Nepal, Mr. Mahesh Sharma by the Health Secretary, Dr.

Senendra Raj Upreti. Similarly, Mr. Suman Chandra Gurung, Director, BNMT Nepal handed the

Token of Love to all the representatives

from different Political Parties.

Chief Guest, Dr. Upreti, appreciated the

effort of BNMT Nepal, Americares and all

the representatives from various sectors

present in the program. He appealed the

community people to encourage institutional

delivery rather than home delivery so that

Nibuwatar VDC could be declared as “No home delivery VDC” in the near future. The

institutional delivery will help to minimize the neonatal deaths in the community.

Conclusion

BNMT Nepal handed over the three health posts in Tistung, Makwanpurgadhi and Nibuwatar

VDCs of Makwanpur district to Government of Nepal Ministry of Health, District Public Health

Office and HFOMC respectively. The aforementioned Health Posts buildings have been

completed as per the Ministry of Health (MoH) standard guidelines. Essential medical equipment

and furniture were also supplied in the newly constructed Health Posts. The newly constructed

Health Posts have resumed their delivery of health services. They have now started their OPD,

minor operation theater, Family Planning counseling, birthing center etc. services as usual. New

buildings have sufficient rooms including staffs quarter to provide 24 hour services as per the

basic emergencies and obstetric service (BEoC) provisions.

The government of Nepal and local community took active participation and ownership to make

this project successful and sustainable. The MoH Secretary, CRHD, DPHO including HFOMC

and community people showed high appreciation for newly constructed health post building.

They regarded the health post buildings, entire construction process and community involvement

as the benchmark for similar projects in future. They appreciated the working modality of

BNMT Nepal which involved and incorporated all the stakeholders throughout the project

period.

Annex: Photo Gallery

Tistung Health Post

Nibuwatar Health Post

ANC and Family Planning Service Room Treatment Room

OPD Service Room Sterilization Room

Delivery Room Examination Room

Consultation/Diagnosis Room Store Room

Registration Room Mr. Raghu Dhital, Program Manager,

BNMT Nepal, in Makwanpurgadhi

Distinguished Guests in Tistung Community People in Nibuwatar

Makwanpurgadhi Health Post

Inauguration News in local newspaper of Makwanpur