Country Focus: Nepal

Breakthrough ACTION Nepal

Between 2018–2020, CCP is implementing a USAID-funded SBC systems strengthening project in collaboration with the National Health Education Information and Communication Center (NHEICC) and Family Welfare Division (FWD). The project first assessed SBC capacity at the federal, provincial (Karnali Province) and project municipalities in Jumla and Surkhet. Based on the assessment findings, CCP worked closely with NHEICC, Karnali Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), Karnali Health Directorate (HD), and municipality elected representatives (executive committee) and health staff to address SBC capacity gaps through trainings, mentoring, practical, learning by doing activities.

Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3) Nepal

Between 2013 and 2017 CCP partnered with the Government of Nepal under the USAID-funded HC3 Nepal Project, with a focus on improving reproductive health outcomes among youth, adolescents, migrants and marginalized and disadvantaged groups through a targeted national family planning campaign. This national-level project worked closely with NHEICC and the former Family Health Division in order to support a comprehensive, evidence-based campaign and advocacy among these groups. Nepal HC3 also developed the overall institutional and technical capacity of NHEICC through workshops and targeted technical assistance. The program worked diligently, developing high quality family planning communication materials and conducting community outreach activities

Three videos which describe the HC3 project are:

• HC3 Nepal – Pratima’s Community:
• HC3 Nepal – Towards a Brighter Future
• HC3 Nepal – New Baby, New Parents

Response to 2015 Earthquake

The project coordinated and contributed to the SBC effort such as emergency response activities to support communication related efforts immediately after the 2015 earthquake.

Smart Jeewan (Smart Life) Family Planning Campaign

The Smart Jeewan (Smart Life) family planning national campaign designed to increase modern FP method use among priority populations featured innovative audience segmentation by lifestyle and social status, rather than age, reaching migrant workers and young couples after the birth of their first child. To extend its influence, the program partnered with Western Union to provide campaign information along with financial remittances and used mHealth and social media, including Facebook to engage people.

Suaahara II

Suaahara II is a five-year (2016-2021), $63 million integrated program dedicated to improving the health and nutrition status of women and children who fall within the 1,000 days period, from conception until a child reaches 24 months of age. This period is recognized as the crucial timeframe during which nutritional interventions have optimal impact on child growth and development. In selected districts, Suaahara II supports the Government of Nepal (GON) in expanding health and nutrition services that target adolescents. In particular, the project addresses anemia, reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, food diversity, social attitudes towards delayed marriage and pregnancy, and health service utilization.

Suaahara I

Between 2011 and 2016 CCP was an implementing partner in USAID’s Suaahara integrated nutrition program in Nepal, was responsible for providing strategic and technical direction and leadership in the areas of SBCC, social mobilization and advocacy. Suaahara increased demand for various services provided through the health system by using dynamic and innovative communication channels, such as the Bhanchin Aama (Mother Says) Communication Platform.

Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP)

In 2010 CCP provided technical assistance to the JHPIEGO-funded MCHIP program to pilot community-based calcium supplementation for pregnant women by developing a communication strategy, research and monitoring tools and interpersonal communication materials.

SSMP (Support to Safe Motherhood Program)

Between 2006 and 2008, CCP worked with Options to implement the DFID-funded Support to Safe Motherhood Program (SSMP) in Nepal. CCP worked with the Government of Nepal to build capacity to institute a minimum package of essential maternity services. The Center provided technical support for the SBC component of the SSMP program and, in particular, supported stakeholders in planning, implementing and monitoring the Safe Motherhood IEC Strategy. Overall, CCP worked to promote dialogue between women and providers on quality of care, and increasing equity and access at the district level. SSMP led to increases in full antenatal care (45% to 60%), delivery in a health facility (21% to 40%), essential newborn care (9% to 35%) and birth preparedness and complication readiness (4% to 12%).

SUMATA Initiative

The SUMATA initiative was launched on March 8, 2002 as a multilevel SM behavior change initiative designed to support the efforts of the Government of Nepal to reduce the high maternal mortality rate in Nepal. The initiative primarily addresses husbands and mothers-in-law, calling them to care for their wives/daughters-in-law during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period; to share love, information, and the workload; and to prepare for childbirth and any complications that could occur during that stage. In districts with upgraded Emergency Obstetric Care services, SUMATA includes complication readiness, recognition of danger signs, and seeking emergency care, if required. SUMATA is an acronym for Care, Share, and Prepare.

Nepal Family Health Program (NFHP)

From 2001 to 2006, in collaboration with the Nepal Ministry of Health, CCP provided technical assistance under the USAID-funded Nepal Family Health Program (NFHP) to reduce fertility and protect family health through increased FP and MNCH services using mass media such as radio programs and IPC.

Radio Communication Program

Between 1994 and 2001, CCP developed the Radio Communication Program in collaboration with Nepal’s Government, the National Health Training Council (NHTC), the National Health Education Information and Communication Council (NHEICC) and the Family Health Division (FHD). CCP provided technical assistance for the communication strategy which integrated mass media, distance education, and IPC and counseling. These activities improved contraceptive service quality, empowered clients to seek contraceptive information and services and promoted concepts of “responsible husband” and “well-planned family”. Men and women in intervention districts had significantly higher knowledge and more positive FP attitudes and behaviors compared with non-intervention districts.

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: October 7, 2020