TOT Program | Heart Foundation

1/19

Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major public health burden in Nepal affecting young children mostly ages 5-15. According to the estimate provided by Nepal Heart Foundation’s expert, the prevalence rate is 1-2 per 1000, apart from this there is no other data available on the RHD. Government is spending around US $ 3000 per valve replacement as a tertiary management of the RHD. After intervention of Primary prevention of Rheumatic Heart Disease program jointly organized by Nepal Heart Foundation, District Public Health Office, Lalitpur and Rotary Club of Patan, it has been seen that number of patient requiring surgery for RHD has been decreasing but still there are numerous RHD patients waiting for surgery to be undertaken. NHF has done thousands of screening, raised public awareness through audio/video advertisement, identification of RHD, medical management and surgical management of RHD patient in partnership with Australian Government through DAP program, Medtronic Foundation, World Heart Federation and Rotary Club of Patan. Still there are lots of underserved people spread around Nepal who needs to be brought on light and provide appropriate counselling and treatment of disease.

The core objectives of the national RF/RHD prevention and control program in Nepal are: i) Early detection and registration of RF/RHD patients; ii) Establishment of centers for safe administration of BPG injection for secondary prophylaxis; and iii) Establishment of a national strategy for RF/RHD prevention and control with development of RHD control toolkit. This is to be achieved through: 1.Epidemiological studies;2.Awareness raising activities;3.Training of health workers;4.Case detection (heart screening);5.Registry of RF/RHD patients;6.Delivery of medicines for secondary prophylaxis; 7.Surveillance system; 8.Evaluation and monitoring.

In 2013, the World Heart Federation called on all members to end the neglect of RHD and within this framework set the goal of reducing deaths from RHD by 25% by 2025 for individuals under the age of 25 (25x25<25).

Subsequently, the primary prevention of RF/RHD were seen as essential to develop a comprehensive prevention and control program in Nepal. This led to the initiation of a pilot project for the Primary Prevention of RF and RHD in the Lalitpur District of Nepal; a collaborative effort of the NHF with the District Public Health Office, Lalitpur and the Rotary Club of Patan, Rotary International District 3292.

The Training of Trainers Program conducted from 9-13 July, 2017 at the premises of the Nepal Heart Foundation, Lalitpur is in accordance with the project “Heart Screening of School Children” in collaboration with Edward Lifesciences Foundation. The Five-day training program imparted skills to 14 health professionals from all over Nepal and was made possible through the joint effort of the Nepal Heart Foundation, and Edward Life Sciences project of “Heart Screening of School Children”.

Objectives of the Training

The main objectives of the training program were:

To prepare trainers to conduct training programs independently for Female Community Health Worker and other health professionals on the subject of the RHD prevention and control;
To ensure that the trainers are familiar with all technical aspects related to the prevention and control of RF/RHD, such as giving BPG injection.

For more information

Inauguration of the Program

The Training of Trainers (TOT) program started with an inauguration ceremony in the presence of Mr. Dilli Prakash Ghimire, President of Nepal Heart Foundation, Prof. Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi, Former President and Program Director of Nepal Heart Foundation; Chief Guest, Mr. Jhalak Sharma Poudel, , Chief of District Public Health Office, Lalitpur, Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal, Vice-President of NHF, Mr. Balram Neupane-General Secretary of NHF, Prof. Dr. Prachand Pradhan, Member of NHF, Ms. Chitralekah Kayastha, President a.i. Rotary Club of Patan; and other dignitaries.

Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal, Vice President of the NHF, delivered a welcome speech. Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi highlighted the objectives and expectations of the training program and expressed his belief that the training of trainers program will contribute greatly to the achievement of the RF/RHD prevention and control program in Nepal. Mr. Balram Neupane, Ms. Chandralekha Kayaestha, and Mr. Dilli Prakash Ghimire spoke on the occasion and extended best wishes for the success of TOT program.

After the formal inauguration by lighting of the ‘Panas’ the Chief Guest delivered his inaugural speech. He stated that training like the TOT is crucial for improving the skills and knowledge of the health professionals and thereby improving the health sector as a whole. He wished for its success and thanked organizers of the program. The final ‘Vote of Thanks’ was delivered by Ms. Sudha Vaidhya, TOT Co-ordinator.