The “Project for Continuum of Care from Antenatal to Postnatal in Pokhara,” under the JICA Partnership Program Phase 3, aims to improve maternal and child health services by enhancing healthcare delivery through various targeted activities. The project, initiated in January 2023 and set to continue until May 2025, is a collaborative effort between the Pokhara Komagane Citizen’s Association for Friendship (PKCAF) and the Citizen’s Association for Nepal Exchange (CIANE). Phase 3 of the project in 2023 was marked by numerous significant activities that have strengthened the continuum of care for women and children.
One of the major activities conducted in 2023 was the pilot training workshop on “Continuum of Care in Maternal and Child Health by Utilization of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook.” This training, held between June and December 2023, focused on healthcare providers in the catchment areas of various wards of Pokhara Metropolitan City. It involved a total of 99 attendees, including nursing staff and MCH focal persons from different health organizations. Participants were divided into four groups, and a review session was planned after six months to modify the action plan based on the outcomes.
Another critical initiative, the Maternal and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI), was aligned with the project’s continuum of care approach, focusing on providing antenatal (ANC) and postnatal (PNC) counseling from August 2023 to April 2025. The counseling sessions, conducted during the off-hours of counselors, have been impactful, with significant participation recorded each month. In parallel, the Kawate Breast Massage training aimed at training trainers and conducting both theoretical and practical exams for healthcare staff. This training was particularly targeted at staff from Matrisishu Miteri Hospital and Dhaulagiri Hospital in Baglung, with notable participation and positive feedback from attendees.
To ensure that healthcare providers were well-equipped with essential knowledge, a workshop was held in November 2023 to discuss and finalize the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. This workshop included key stakeholders such as MCH focal persons from the Ministry of Social Development, the Health Directorate of Gandaki Province, and the Health Division of Pokhara Metropolitan City. Following this, an orientation program for staff at Matrisishu Miteri Hospital took place in January 2023, focusing on doctors, emergency ward staff, statisticians, and administrative personnel, among others, to familiarize them with the handbook’s usage.
The project also emphasized community outreach through CoC training for Female Community Health Volunteers in selected wards of Pokhara Metropolitan City, conducted from January to March 2024. This training aimed to empower volunteers to support maternal and child health initiatives at the grassroots level. Additionally, the distribution of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook was planned, with pilot and official launches scheduled for early 2024 in targeted healthcare facilities and catchment areas.
Throughout the year, regular meetings with the steering committee and interactions with stakeholders were conducted to review the project’s progress and align on strategies. These meetings facilitated open communication, shared learning, and strategic planning, ensuring that the project remained on track to achieve its long-term goals. As the project continues into 2024 and beyond, it remains dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of mothers and infants through a comprehensive and collaborative approach to care.
