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Strengthening effective school health in Nepal
Dr Lonim Prasai Dixit/Mr Madhukar Shrestha
Coordinator/co coordinator School Health and
Nutrition Network, Nepal.
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School Health and Nutrition for health
promotion
To ensure that a better health status is enjoyed by
all Nepalese children through the promotion and
implementation of School Health and Nutrition
program at national level
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Some points to reflect?
 What
is the situation of health promotion in
schools in Nepal?
 Is
it adequate/appropriate?
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INTRODUCTION
 There
is a wide consensus that healthy school
environment leads to improved cognitive,
physical, emotional development of the child and
contributes to educational goals.
 Health
of children in low-income countries are far
beyond national and international goals.
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 The
Government of Nepal (GON) has recognized
the importance of healthy school environment in
achieving Millennium development Goals and
has taken many initiatives.
 Despite
government efforts, studies have reported
many of the 28,057 basic and secondary
community schools lack minimum school health
and nutrition package.
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STRENGTHS
Policies and strategies in place.
 National
School Health and Nutrition Strategy
(2006)
 Child
Friendly School Framework

Sanitation and Hygiene Master Plan

School Sector Reform Plan
 Multisectoral
Nutrition Plan.
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strengths contd
 School

Health and Nutrition Network (SHNN)
Interest and commitment: Many external
development partners, I/NGOs working in SHN
 Community
support: Many communities see
schools as the most important Institution in the
communities.
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Strengths contd
 School
Health minimum package developed on
basis of National SHN Strategy
1) School-Based Health and Nutrition Services
2) Healthful School Environment
3) Life Skill-Based Health, Hygiene and Nutrition
Education ( check list – attendance record, daily
and weekly checklist, child club mobilization
4) Coordinated and Collaborative Efforts
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CHALLENGE
Despite government efforts, studies have reported
many of the 28,057 basic and secondary
community schools lack minimum school health
and nutrition package.
SHN package is not implemented in all schools in
the country.
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School based health and nutrition services
 Provide
annual general health checkup ( make
available to all, mechanism )
 Establish
counseling, referral and follow-up
mechanism
 Strengthen
local health system and establish
linkage with schools.

Capacity building of school teachers and child
club
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 First
aid kit ( available to all, refilling)
 De-worming,
Iron tablet – supplied by Health
facilities
 Management
of school feeding program
and Evaluation mechanism – timely,
correct reporting and timely acquisition of data.
 Monitoring
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Health school environment
 Adequate

water supply (77 % ), Toilet facilities (79%)
Separate toilets for girls (36% )
 Nepal
has reported lack of menstruation hygiene
in schools as one of the primary reason for
dropout rates in adolescent girls.
(Department of Education, Consolidated Report, 2011/12).
+ Student -Toilet ratio in secondary schools,
Dolakha 132:1
(UNICEF/DOE 2012.)
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FACTS:
Some egs: Sunsari, Dolakha and Doti
 8%
of schools had access to safe drinking water
(0% in Dolakha)
 10%
of schools with sufficient water in toilets
 56%
of schools with access to soap
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 8%
menstruation friendly WASH facilities.
 31%girls
 Good
 Safe
absent during menstruation
Management of solid waste (64%)
and clean school premises and play ground
(88%)
+ Life Skill-Based Health, Hygiene and Nutrition
Education
 Schools
in Nepal have basic health and physical
education as part of their curriculum
 5%
schools had extra curricular activities.
 6%
schools with child club involement
 Life
skilled based education.
 Capacity
building of teachers
 Teachers
motivation
+ Coordinated and Collaborative Efforts
 Strengthen
coordinated efforts of the concerned
Ministries and Departments and stakeholders at
all levels in order to develop the technical,
managerial and financial aspects of the programs.
 Strengthen
coordination of MOHP, MOE at
national level, Health and Education Directorates
at Regional level, DEO, DHO and DPHO at
district level and SMC/PTA, child club at local
level.
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 Strengthen
Child Club, SMC, PTA and ownership
of local governing bodies

6 % of schools with child club involvement
 Establish
MOHP.
a school health unit at the MOE and
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WAY FORWARD
 Mainstream
SHN in national development policy
 The
Minimum Package goes side by side with the
“National Joint Action Plan on SHN” that offers a
good opportunity to scale up in sustainable
program.
 Endorsement
of JAP of MOHP and MOE
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 Make
the mandatory implementation of the
minimum package of SHNP in each school of the
country by law and acts.
 Revision
of 6-10 grade school curriculum
incorporating practical activities for health,
hygiene and nutrition component
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 Improve
 Provide
 Joint
quality of EMIS, M and E
financial and technical supports
monitoring / support visits .
 Community
resources
ownership/management of available
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THANK YOU