About

President

Hello & Namaste from the top of the world. It has been an honor to facilitate as president of this prestigious organization- “Pokhara Komagane Citizen’s Friendship Association”. On behalf of this organization, I would like to extend my warmest greeting and heartfelt appreciation for those who extended their hands, for unwavering support & commitment to this organization to stand out here. This initiative, born out of a shared vision of fostering stronger ties between our communities, has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of many.

As we embark on this exciting journey together, I urge all of you to join hands and work tirelessly to achieve our common goals. By leveraging our collective resources, expertise, and enthusiasm, we can create a lasting legacy of friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our generous donors and all the involved individuals for providing their valuable time to make this event a success and their contributions have made this project possible. Your support is invaluable and will help us to realize our aspirations.

It gives me a great pleasure to share about Pokhara Komagane Citizen Friendship Association which successfully has completed its 4^th anniversary. The relationship among Pokhara Metropolitan City & Komagane City of Japan started around 1997 AD. Similar geographical landscapes and climate, the river pattern flowing round the city, breathtaking landscapes lead to the starting of the relationship between the two amazingly beautiful cities with a commitment to promote and help each other for the prosperity, promote & exchange of culture, development of city itself.

Pokhara city, considered to be one of the most preferred tourist destination carries a potential in tourism sector. Yearly more than six lakhs tourist visits in average. Park located at Lakeside is named as Komagane Park once after the relationship to strengthen of both cities is taken as a first step for the mutual relationship. Over the last two decade, developed international relationship has lead prosperity.

As the Chairman of Pokhara-Komagane Citizen Friendship Association, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to visionaries who initiated the treaty on April 18, 2001, between Pokhara and Komagane City-Japan, which has led us to this golden day of celebration and partnership. Our joint efforts with Pokhara Metropolitan City in the first phase of “Maternal & Child health for safe and secure delivery” project focused on Community Awareness, Capacity Development, and creating patient-friendly environments in hospitals. The relationship among Pokhara Metropolitan City & Komagane City of Japan started around 1997 AD as Nagahara –Mayor-Komagane City visited Pokhara along with his team. Later Mr. Krisha Thapa (Mayor-Pokhara Metropolitan City) visited the beautiful Komagane City of Japan. All these started during late 90s although the treaty was signed on 2001 AD. More than 30 Japanese citizen associated with the city attended the treaty that time. In course of time over the last 2 decade, various events has successfully been exchanged. The foundation establishment of Matrishishu Miteri Hospital was initiated back on 2010 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the treaty inviting the representative of Komanagane City-Japan and associated members of Japan Komagane. Numerous visits from both countries with the prospect of sharing cultural values has taken place during these golden years. It was my privilege to have the opportunity to visit Japan along with support Committee team & representative of Pokhara Metropolitan City back in 2017 AD.

After the successful completion of first & second phase initiated in coordination of Pokhara Metropolitan City, we are in middle of the third phase lead by PKCAF. This project efforts in Health Education, Capacity Development and Breast Care/Counseling across wards 16, 19, 20 and 25. Today, as we embark on the third phase under the JICA Partnership Program, I express heartfelt appreciation to all contributors, especially Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Citizen Association for Nepal Exchange in Japan, and Maternal and Child Maternity Hospital Management Committee. As a major project with a concern to provide sound knowledge about maternal health care, we have introduced Maternal and Child Health Handbook from Komagane City, Japan, across Gandaki Province, and I urge the Honorable Minister of Health and other relevant authorities to support its implementation. With the support from local and provincial level, every needy ones will have access to maternity care. With humble respect, I request all to join hand in hand for the community building creating a safe and livelihood environment for all to survive.

Additionally, the incorporation of the Kawate Brest massage, a proven innovation from Japan, will significantly enhance maternal health in our country and we are fortunate to have its founder present for training.

The sister city relationship between Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City and Komagane City, Japan, began with a mutual visits by their respective mayor’s in 1997, recognizing shared geographical features and fostering mutual interest. This relationship was officially cemented under the guidance of then Minister of Local Development, through a historical singing ceremony. Established in 2007, this partnership has contributed significantly to Pokhara’s growth, enhancing its status as Nepal’s largest metropolitan city and a renowned tourist destination. Notably, Komagane’s support has been instrumental in establishing Pokhara Komagane Mother-Child Maternity Hospital, with substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure and programs, reinforcing their commitment to collaborative development.

Summing up, I would also like to thank Matrisisu Miteri Hospital, Pokhara Metropolitan City-Health Department, Maternity and Child Friendship Hospital, Hospital Support Club, Citizens Association for Nepal Exchange, Ministry of Health & Population Health Ministry, and Province health Ministry department-Gandaki without whom our project would not have reached here. I would like to remember all the Doctors of Miteri Hospital, nurses, consultants, Hospital Management Committee and whole team. Effectiveness of this project is believed to touch the lives & make a significant positive impact on the lives of target group. All the seen and unseen who extended their helpful hands trusting us with the project, who rely us and the force that keeps us moving  and because of you all we have managed to get this far. Let us embrace this opportunity to build bridges, strengthen relationships and create a bright future for all.

The ultimate purpose of this event is to strengthen a continuum of care by networking personnel’s involved in maternal and child health to support mothers and babies from pregnancy to the postnatal period in the community with the objectives as illustrated below:

1. Strengthening cooperation between health care professionals in medical facilities and FCHVs in the community

• Promotion of continuity of care
• Introduction and use of maternal and child health record book

2. Improve the capacity of health care professionals to provide prenatal and postnatal/newborn and infant care through training.

• Training based at hospitals in Pokhara
• Training connected hospital and health posts by online
• Trainings connected to Japanese medical professonals

3. Strengthen the capacity of FCHVs to provide antenatal and postnatal care in their communities

• Training in prenatal and postnatal health guidance, newborn and infant growth and development
• Development and use of health guidance checklist.

4. Ensure that expectant mothers who have difficulty in accessing medical facilities can spend their perinatal period at waiting home near to hospital

• Promote the use of maternity waiting homes
• Motherhood classes/promotion

5. Promotion of cooperation between citizens in both countries.

• Collaboration with project promotion organizations
• Civil society activities and publicity

Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you all.