Co-creation session in Baniyani.
The co-creation process was launched in Nepal in August and aimed at involving stakeholders at different levels in the selection of potential interventions. Two workshops were held in Itahari and Banyani districts. Participants included PHC staff and local health authorities, as well as community members comprising local leaders, representatives of local associations, female health worker volunteers and teachers.
During the workshops research findings were shared with participants. Afterwards they were divided into working groups, based on their seniority and gender, to collect their suggestions of potential activities that could be developed to address the gaps identified during the baseline research. Following the group discussions, participants presented their views in a plenary session.
In relation to NCDs, suggestions were numerous but mainly focused on Behavior Change Communication (BCC) interventions to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent these diseases, and on the need to improve access to diagnostic and treatment at PHC level. “Monthly lab camps” were also suggested as massive screening for NCDs. As for leprosy, the selected NTD for Nepal, active case finding door to door and health education targeting remote vulnerable populations were mentioned. For both NCDs and NTDs, stakeholders asked for better follow up and regular supply of drugs.
At the policy level, similar co-creation workshops were held in Kathmandu during the “National Conference of Nepalese Society of Community Medicine (CONCOM)” that took place on August 26th and at the “Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC)” which took place on September 1st. Approximately 100 participants from different sectors such as MoH representatives, faculty members, lectures and post-graduate residents of community medicine and public health professionals attended these workshops and contributed in identifying potential interventions. Some of the discussion topics included the need to improve the health insurance coverage and the global budget for health.
The suggestions provided by stakeholders from community, health system and policy levels are being studied by the Nepalese COHESION team, to prepare for a next round of consultation where the aim will be to prioritize interventions that could be developed during the next phase of the project.
Co-creation session at the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC).