FAIRMED participates in 8th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal

The program was chaired by Minister for Health and Population Birodh Khatiwada. The theme of the program was “Advancing Health Policy and System Research: Lessons for Resilient Health System in Nepal”.

The NHRC annually hosts summits of health and population scientists to generate new knowledge through high-quality research and evidence-based decision-making approach by fostering dialogue between researches, implementers and policymakers. This year, the summit fostered discussion on health systems and policy research (and its advancement) to accomplish communal health goals and construct resilient health system.

In the event, FAIRMED team presented the gist of the study report conducted on the status of service availability for major Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Leishmaniasis and Rabies. Also, the research report on identifying the capacity building needs at local health facilities in eastern Terai region was presented. The major findings of the study presented in the summit are listed below:

• Despite high prevalence of NTDs in the eastern Terai region, service availability at the local level health institutions is inadequate.
• There is a need to strengthen the health system by ensuring placement of trained personnel and supply of diagnostics and medicines. Moreover, there is a need to promote the use of national guidelines for providing NTD services at local health facilities.