Program Title: National RF/RHD Prevention and Control Program

 

I. Introduction: Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal has recently decided to launch a National Program for prevention & control of RF/RHD in Nepal. This program is being launched with technical and Organisational support from Nepal Heart foundation. Budget allocated for this program in fiscal year 2063/64 was NRs. 30 lakhs. This is the 1st project launched by Gov. of Nepal for the Prevention and control of heart diseases. Nepal Heart Foundation is the main authorized organization for implementation of this program.

 

II. Background: 

Rheumatic Fever is an inflammatory syndrome related to the beta-hemolytic Group A streptococcal infection, mainly of the throat. Characteristically it tends to recur. The name rheumatic fever emphasizes involvement of the joints, but it is the involvement of the heart that makes it important. The attack of RF may affect the heart, causing damages to the heart valves and leading to high morbidity and mortality. RF and RHD are common in Nepal as well as other developing countries. They are more common in children and young adults belonging to low socioeconomic class. Many of them do not have access to proper medical care because of poverty and ignorance. The shortage of medical facilities also prevent them from receiving adequate treatment.

RF and RHD are preventable diseases and have already been eradicated in the developed countries. In Nepal the cost of the Secondary Prevention for an affected child is approximately

NRs 400 ( USD 6 ) per year, but the surgical treatment of the damaged heart valve requires about NRs. 200000( USD 3000 ) . Therefore, Prevention of RF and RHD will not only decrease morbidity and mortality in the children but also will be economically beneficial.

Ministry of Health has been Providing around 200 free heart valves to Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and Bir Hospital Since Couple of years. The list of patients needing valve replacement surgery is quite long. Most effective way to address this problem of RF/RHD is to prevent this disease. It is in this context the National RF/RHD prevention & control program has been launched.

 

III. Objectives:

1.        To conduct Secondary Prevention of RF/RHD by distributing Injection Benzathine Penicillin free of cost to needy patients through central, zonal and few community Hospital and Medical institutions.

2.        To establish a national strategy for prevention & control RF / RHD in Nepal.

 

IV. Hospitals and Health Centre involved in this Program - 36 hospital and 1 PHC Centre all over Nepal are involved.

 

A. Central Hospitals
1. Bir Hospital , Kathmandu
2. Manmohan Cardiac Thoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre, TUTH,     Kathmandu
3. Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Kathmandu
4. Kanti children Hospital , Kathmandu

 

B. Regional Zonal & District Hospitals
1. Mechi Zonal Hospital, Jhapa
2. Koshi Zonal Hospital, Biratnagar
3. Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, Saptari
4. Janakpur Zonal Hospital, Dhanusha
5. Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Butwal
6. Bheri Zonal Hospital, Banke
7. Seti Zonal Hospital, Kailali
8. Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital, Parsa
9. Mahakali Zonal Hospital,. Kanchanpur
10. Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara
11. Mid-western Regional Hospital, Surkhet
12. Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan
13. Bhaktapur Hospital, Bhaktapur
14. Hetauda Hospital , Makawanpur­­

15. Gulmi District Hospital, Gulmi

16. Ilam Regional Hospital, Ilam

17. Gorkha District Hospital, Gorkha

18. Aappipal Hospital, Aappipal Gorkha

19. Palpa District Hospital, Tansen

20. Tansen Mision Hospital, Palpa

21. Arghakhachi District Hospital, Arghakhachi

22. Bara District Hospital, Kalaiya

23. Trisuli District Hospital, Nuwakot

24. Dhading District Hospital, Dhading

25. Dhaulagiri Zonal Hospital, Dhaulagiri