Category: News

Introduction

The virus that causes dengue fever is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, to a lesser extent, Ae are the main vectors of this disease. The virus that causes dengue fever is known as dengue virus (DENV). There are four DENV serotypes, and a single infection can result in a total of four infections.

Current Scenario 

Over the past 20 years, dengue cases reported to WHO have increased more than eight-fold. Dengue fever is considered a year-round problem in Nepal, with the highest risk from June to September. Dengue fever with an endemic epidemic was first reported in 2004. The majority of cases were localized and all four serotypes were confirmed to be present in Nepal.

According toauthorities, as of September 13, 2022, there are about 11,065 cases, 424 in 2021, 17,992 in 2019, and 811 in 2018.

The top 10 districts have reported the highest number of cases 9226 i.e. 83% of the total  cases. 

                                                  Source: EDCD

Till 13th of September,2022, 9 death has been reported. 

Symptoms 

Dengue fever should be suspected if a high fever (40°C/104°F) is accompanied by 2 of the following symptoms during the febrile period (2-7 days):

• Severe headache
• Pain in muscles and joints around eyes
• Severe headache
• Pain in muscles and joints around eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Rash.

Prevention

If you already have dengue, avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness. Since the virus may be circulating in the blood at this point, there is a risk of infecting fresh, uninfected mosquitoes and infecting others.

• Mosquito Breeding Prevention
  • Restrict access to areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs through environmental controls and modifications.
  • Removal of artificial dwellings that can store water and proper disposal of solid waste.

• Personal protection from bite of Mosquito
  • Use of personal home defense tools such as window screens, insect repellents, coils and vaporizers.
  • It is recommended that you wear clothing that protects your skin from mosquito bites.

• Engagement of Community:
  • Educate your neighbors about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases
  • Engage with your neighbors to increase long-term vector control efforts and mobilization.

Conclusion

In Nepal, the prevalence of dengue fever has increased dramatically. Previously, cases occurred only in the tropical lowland regions of the Terai, but they are increasingly being found at higher elevations and are becoming more common. likely to increase exponentially. Immediate action is needed to improve resource allocation and prioritization to mitigate the dengue epidemic in hardest-hit locations like the Kathmandu Valley.

Source:

https://bit.ly/WHODengueEndemic  (WHO)

https://edcd.gov.np/ (EDCD)

Background

 The Follow- up Policy Dialogue Meeting at Federal Level was carried out at Aranya Boutique Hotel, Nagpokhari by the participation from the different stakeholders on September 2^nd, 2022. The people present for the meeting were from Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre, Nepal Health Research Council, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Ministry of Health and Agriculture and the Policy Research Institute A presentation from Dr. Abhinav Vaidya was shared and we had invited a few people as panelists so they could share a few words. The panelists for the meeting were Dr. Madan Kumar Upadhyaya (Division Chief of Quality Standard and Regulation Division of MoHP), Dr. Matina Joshi Vaidya (Director General of Department of Food Technology and Quality Control), Dr. Pradip Gyanwali (Executive Chief of NHRC), Mr. Manoj Pokhrel (Senior Plant Protection Officer of PQPMC), Mr. Achyut Prasad Dhakal (CSC Member and Former Secretary of MOLMAC) and Ms. Bimala Dahal (Local Organic Farmer).

Objective

To exchange knowledge/studies/experiences on the issue of pesticide

• To create a platform where politicians and policymakers can voice their role and work to address the issue of chemical pesticide
• To pave the way for discussion and foster multi-sectoral engagement in the planning and implementation of policies on pesticides in Nepal.
• To identify and strengthen the relationship with key stakeholders at the federal level who are willing to help push the agendas on pesticide policies forward.

Key  Statements from the Panel members

Dr. Madan Kumar Upadhyaya

 Dr. Upadhyaya who is the Division Chief of Quality Standard and Regulation Division of Ministry of Health and Population key statements were as follows:

• Health not just includes curative aspects but also includes preventive aspects
• Pesticide management is very important but it is lagging behind
• Community is the main area where pesticide related diseases are emerged
• MOHP had tried to do many things regarding the issue of pesticide management but it is not enough
• Lack of awareness and education regarding the issue
• No coordination among the stakeholders
• During Policy formulation it is very important to adapt multisectoral approach, its minimization is not possible by the effort of the single sector
• Lack of human resources and no proper testing

Mr. Sailesh Kumar Jha

Mr Jha who is the Deputy Director General from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control key statements were as follows:

• There is a lack of coordination among the concerned stakeholders
• Problems related to the access of database related to pesticide
• Lacking of a proper mechanism
• There is also lack of institutional capability and human resource that needs to be tackled for pesticide minimization

Dr. Pradip Gyanwali

Dr. Gyanwali who is the Executive Chief of Nepal Health and Research Council key statements were as follows:

• Ministry level should take ownership
• Pesticide is not only associated with human health but also related to animal health and agriculture, it also affects mental health of human being so multisectoral approach is very essential
• Series of discussion for this issue is necessary
• Message related to this topic should be dispersed for awareness purpose

Mr. Manoj Pokhrel

Mr. Pokhrel who is the Senior Plant Protection Officer of Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre key statements were as follows:

• Registration work is done by PQPMC and PQPMC has been trying to update the website
• There is a lack of human resource and also budget for pesticide management
• Lack of capacity and formal education of the agrovets
• License are provided to the agrovets on the basis of one- or two-day trainings
• Pesticide management act has been established

Mr. Achyut Prasad Dhakal

 Mr. Dhakal who is the former secretary of Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative and the Central Steering Committee Member of FHEN key statements were as follows:

• There are many advantages of pesticides as well it helps to manage pest and kill insects.
• Pesticide is mostly used in Cotton, it leads to different hazards
• Lack of manpower is a major issue which should be solved for pesticide minimization
• Institutional arrangements are necessary
• Focus on empowering human resource
• Focus on monitoring and supervision
• Directives and guidelines should be prepared for the safe use of pesticides
• And it should also include about the proper storage and disposal of the pesticide container, Post-harvest interval (waiting period) and maximum residual limit
• Proper data should be maintained about Post Harvest Interval
• Awareness should be created about maximum residual limit
• Appropriate data is required to work on these guidelines
• Knowledge about Acceptable Daily Intake should be increased

Ms. Bimala Dahal

 Ms. Dahal who is a Local Organic Farmer key statements were as follows:

• C graded palm oil has been used in Nepal, oil related farming is a neglected issue
• Large amount of pesticide has been used in this kind of farming
• When taking about the issue of pesticide, the topic of soil is not often discussed. Discussions related to the quality of soil has to be raised for pesticide minimization.
• Farmers often tend to use hybrid seed which is also an issue
• Lack of sufficient market for organic products is also a major hurdle for the transition into organic farming
• IPM and sufficient market is very important for organic farming

Remarks from Chief Guest – Dr. Bishnu Raj Upreti

Dr. Upreti who is the Executive Chairperson of Policy Research Institute key statements were as follows:

• Pesticide is the concern of the entire nation not just of a single sector
• Lack of co-ordination among the high-level authority is the major problem
• Fundamental change is required
• Discussion should be done with the key stakeholders regarding their respective duties and responsibilities
• Policies should be formulated on the basis of evidences
• Policies should be measurable, quantifiable and more specific
• Health and Agriculture are related to the citizens of the country hence the policies related to it should be formulated on the basis of the evidence.

On September 2,   2022, NPHF completed its 13th Annual General Meeting in the presence of founding members, life members and other members and stakeholders.

Since the establishment of Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF), it has taken initiatives to raise voices and advocate the relevant public health issues at national and regional level.

Continuing the tradition, this year we had a privilege to honor Dr. Ram Prasad Pokhrel and Dr. Saraswati Padhye  with NPHF Life Time Achievement Award 2022 for contributions made  in the field of public health  as well as the years of service dedicated by them.

On September 26th 2021, Nepal Public Health Foundation and  the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) joined hands as collaborators.

Continue reading “Signing with ICDDR,B as Collaborators and Partner Institutions”

On August 29,   2021, NPHF completed its 12th Annual General Meeting which was hosted in Zoom due to COVID 19 pandemic and its restrictions. The  event was conducted in the presence of Dr. Aruna Upreti, President, Dr. Dharma Sharna Manandhar, Chief Executive, Mother and Infant Research Activities (MIRA) and Dr. Chhatra Amatya, Former Director of Child Health Division and Management Division.

Since the establishment of Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF), it has taken initiatives to raise voices and advocate the relevant public health issues at national and regional level.

Continuing the tradition, this year we had a privilege to honor Dr. Chhatra Amatya and Dr. Dharma Sharna Manandhar  with NPHF Life Time Achievement Award 2021 for contributions made  in the field of public health  as well as the years of service dedicated by them.

The event was divided into two sessions; First session and Closed session. Welcome remarks in the first session was given by Dr. Mahesh Maskey. Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Sharad Onta

In the end, the closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Aruna Upreti followed by sharing the AGM agenda for the session  by Dr. Aruna Upreti, Dr. Sameer Dixit and Dr. Rajani Shah. The final closing remark was then given by the chair Dr. Aruna Upreti.

NPHF Board Meeting took place on the  21st of July 2021 at 3 PM at the NPHF Office. Those who were not able to be present physically joined via Google Meet.

The proposed agendas of the meeting were:
1. FHEN Phase III project
2. Current status of FHEN
3. Preparation for AGM and Lifetime Achievement Award
4. Miscellaneous

Nepal Public Health Foundation held an orientation programme and meeting at Bharatpur with the local stakeholders on minimizing the use of chemical pesticides on the 24th of July, 2021.

Participants: 1) Mr Khum Natayan Shrestha – Mayor of Kalika municipality 2) Mr Rajan Dhakal- Chief of Agriculture Knowledge Center 3) Ms Prabha Baral- Mayor of Rapti municipality 4) Prabin Lama- Agriculture development officer of Ratnanagar municipality 5) Dr Rajani Shah – NPHF treasurer 6) Ms Usha Neupane- Program officer NPHF 7) Dr. Aruna Uprety- NPHF President

The 12th Nepal Public Health Foundation Lecture “My Unfinished Journey of Learning” was delivered by Prof. Dr. Sharad Raj Onta, an outstanding public health expert.

The lecture provides us with a glimpse of a deep reflection of his development and experiences and gives us a valuable insight profoundly useful for health professionals and students who are taking their first steps in the journey to the world of Public Health.

Dr. Onta is a pioneer in public health and is currently, the President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal (PSRN). He has published several scientific publications both in national and international journals and has also, served as the chair at Resource Centre for Primary Health Care and was also the Former Assistant Dean of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Additionally, he is one of the founding members of Nepal Public Health Foundation as well as the Member Secretary of Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) and has been involved in many other National and International forums and organizations.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation and its restrictions the 12th lecture series was carried out via google meet video conference. A great number of participants from public health professionals to students were present. A welcome speech was given by the executive chief Dr. Mahesh K Maskey along with the introduction of the keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Sharad Onta.

Prof. Dr. Sharad Onta conducted the lecture by sharing his extensive knowledge and insightful experiences. After the lecture, a short interactive discussion and Q&A session was carried out between the participants and the speaker. In the interaction session following the lecture, former president Dr. Rita Thapa and founding member Prof. Arjun Karki had participated in the discussion with their questions and comments.

A vote of thanks was conveyed from the vice president, Dr. Lochana Shrestha and the programme was formally concluded by Dr. Aruna Uprety. For the ongoing lecture series, Dr. Badri Raj Pandey has kindly done the honours of funding the programme with a generous amount of NRs. 1 Lakh as the programme fund.

As we have stated before, in these lecture series the speakers are free to express their opinion related to any subject matter of the lecture. We at the same time would like to make it clear that these opinions are not the formal position of NPHF. In this way, NPHF hopes to provide a forum for differing opinions and lively discussion while at the same time ensuring a culture of debate that would lead to consensus for the common agenda of public health.

The screen recording of the lecture series can be found on Youtube with the above link.

On July 25, 2021, Dr. Aruna held a discussion session with school teachers of Kalika municipality around the agenda of IPM. The teachers talked about how integrating IPM in coursework for their students has helped them learn about the current issues surrounding chemical pesticide use and farming. Students are taught about the harmful effect of chemical pesticide on health and environment and are encouraged to apply the knowledge at their home.

Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF) released a statement of 18 point recommendation on managing and preparing against the COVID-19 pandemic and its third wave to the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba which was released on several online news portals and other media outlets.

Signed by Dr. Mahesh Maskey, Dr. Kulchandra Gautam, Dr. Rita Thapa, Dr. Badriraj Pandey, Dr. Aruna Upreti, Dr. Shivkumar Rai, Dr. Chhatra Amatya, Dr. Sharad Vant, Dr. Abhinav Vaidya, Dr. Sameer Dixit, Dr. Rajendra BC, Dr. Tirtha Rana, Dr. Lochana Shrestha, Dr. Binjwala Shrestha, Dr. Rajani Shah, Narayan Subedi

On October 14,  2020, Nepal Public Health Foundation successfully completed its 11th Annual General Meeting. This year, due to COVID pandemic and its restrictions,  the meeting was hosted through Zoom. The meeting was held within 6 months from the closing of the financial year.

Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF) was established with a mission to have concerted public health action, research, and policy dialogue for health development, particularly of the socio-economically marginalized population and with a goal to ensure Civil Society’s pro-active intervention in public health.

Like every year, this year also Nepal Public Health Foundation honored two distinguished figures in the public health sector with  lifetime achievement awards. Recognizing their years of dedicated service and  contribution in the field of public health we had a privilege to honor Dr. Gouri Shankar Lal Das and Professor Gita Pandey with NPHF LifeTime Achievement Award 2020.

The event was divided into two sessions; an inaugural session and closed session. In the inaugural session, two eminent personalities were felicitated by Dr. Rita Thapa, President, Dr. Badri Raj Pande, Advisor and Ms. Bhagwati Sangroula,  (Director, Planning and Program Division, SWC) who was also the Guest of Honor of the program. Then Dr. Gouri Shankar Lal Das and Prof. Gita Pandey gave their remarks.

After that, Dr. Sharad Onta congratulated our ex-staff of FHEN project and HOPE-grid project with a certificate of appreciation for their immense sincerity and dedication on the completion of the respective projects.

FHEN Project Staff:

Ms. Simrin Kafle, Mr. Sunil Dulal, Dr. Amrit Pokharel, Ms. Usha Neupane, Mr. Dipendra Poudel and Ms. Kamala Gurung

HOPE-Grid Staff:

Ms. Manisha Pokhrel, Dr. Neshan Rai and Ms. Jagriti Poudel

Then Dr. Abhinav Vaidya delivered his vote of thanks. Then this session adjourned with closing remarks presented by Dr. Rita Thapa. The end of an inaugural session was followed by a closed session.