Background

Over the last three decades NHF has been focusing on the prevention and controlof Rheumatic Heart Disease(RHD), which represents a public health burden with significant morbidity and mortality in children.NHF has pursued a diagonal approach to focus on RHD within the framework of the existing health care system. Initially, the RHD control program was initiated inpartnership with the Government of Nepal.In recent years NHF has extended its activities on RHD prevention through the partnership with Edwards Lifesciences Foundation (ELF) by implementing the every heartbeat matters project.

In 2019 September,NHF launched a new initiative to establish a trust fund for RHD activities. This is a special non-expendable fund for undertaking research and other activitieson rheumatic heart disease. The trust fund is named as Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Fund (RHDRF), which wasinitially promoted by Senior Cardiologist Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi. Hefirstly contributed NRs one million towards the fund as seed money. Until April 2024, NRs Eleven Million have been deposited in this fund. More than 100 people have already contributed to this noble cause.

 

Objectives

The key objectives of RHDRFare as follows:

• Undertake research activities on rheumatic heart diseases in Nepal

• Support the underserved children with RHD for treatment

• Explore the possibility of joint collaboration with other organizations to work on RHD prevention and control

• Promoteawarenessrising activities onRHD.

 

 

Utilization of RHDRF

• RHDRF will be a non-expendable special fund to be deposited into time bound fixed  deposit bank account

• Interest  accrued from RHDRF  fixed  account  will be deposited into a saving /call deposit bank account for financing  the expenses incurred for rheumatic diseases related  activities

• The interest accrued will also be used for awarding annual prize of NRs 25 thousand to the person/agency having significant contributions inthe areas of RHD prevention.

• Administrative expenses against the operation of RHDRF have been limited to 15 percent of total interest accrued from RHDRF fixed account.

 

Institutional and Operational Arrangement

• NHF has set up aNew Committee in March, 2024 for the operation of RHDRF as follows:

Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi(National Program Director) …………………. Coordinator

Dr. Prem Raj Baidya (Vice President of NHF)…............................ Member

Mr.UttamlalShrestha (Treasurer of NHF ) ………………………………..Member

• NHF Operation Committee will decide and assign on the RHD related research activities and select the nominee for annual ward,

• RHDRF non-expendable fund  main bank  account and  call/saving  bank account, as specified above, will be operated jointly by Coordinator of the Operation Committee and Treasurer/ Joint Treasurer of NHF;

• RHDRF Operation Committee will work through  the  Annual Work Plan ;

• NHF  will maintain separate accounts of the RHDRF and prepare annual report of the same

• The Operation Committee will maintain necessary fiscal accountability and transparency on the operation of RHDRF.

 

Appeal for Joining Hands

NHFexpects support and collaborations from national/ foreign based donors (individual and institutional) by contributing into the RHDRF to serve the underserved children living with RHD. Interested donors are requested to contact in the following address for joining hands withNHF.

 

Contacts

Nepal Heart Foundation, Pulchowk, Lalitpur

Email: nepalheartfoundation@yahoo.com, nehf1988@gmail.com

Contact Persons:

Coordinator-DrPrakash Raj Regmi

NHFSecretary  General- KomalPrakashGhimire