District Training Programmes
(1993 – 2000)
Background
In 1993, NPCS’s parent organisation United Mission to Nepal (UMN) signed a ground-breaking agreement with the government’s Ministry of Health to begin Nepal’s first district-level nutrition programmes.
The agreement created a unique partnership between UMN and government health workers. UMN staff lived and worked in each district to support public health staff running activities to reduce malnutrition in under-5 children and their mothers.
The goal was to increase the awareness and nutrition knowledge of health staff, and to see an improvement in nutrition practices in the communities.
The programmes took place in four mid-western districts:
- Jajarkot (1993 – 1996)
- Salyan (1995 – 1999)
- Rukum (1996 – 1999)
- Dailekh (1997 – 2000)
Programme outcomes
Dramatic improvements in the body weights and nutrition status of women in the programme districts
Vast majority of babies born during the programmes were fed colostrum, the highly beneficial first breastmilk
Families were supported to help their malnourished children recover within their own homes
Increased numbers of kitchen gardens, and women and children eating green leafy vegetables
Successfully distributed information about the value of local foods and how to eat a nutritious diet
“It is indeed praiseworthy that the UMN Nutrition Programme is reaching out to remote districts like Dailekh where the health and overall well-being of the communities are in a miserable state. The effort made by the District Training Project in such a short period of time and with few staff is commendable.” Programme Evaluation Report, 2000.
