Safe Motherhood in Nepal

A series of three 6-day Strategic Health Communication Capacity Building and Localization were jointly conducted by the National Health Education, Information and Communication Center (NHEICC) and Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs-Support to Safe Motherhood Program (JHU/CCP-SSMP), with funding support from DFID between February and April 2007 in Dhulikhel and Pokhara, Nepal. Based on JHU/CCP\'s Advances model, these workshops were adapted for Nepali government and non-government partners involved in the SSMP to enhance their capacity (knowledge and skills) in developing or localizing BCC materials in strategic ways and managing them effectively in the districts.

In March 2009, the Family Health Division of the Department of Health Services and SSMP/ Options jointly organised a successful advocacy workshop in Nepalgunj. This was hosted by the Regional Health Directorate of Surkhet, and United Mission to Nepal (UMN) provided technical and logistic support. Participants included representatives from the major airlines serving mountain and hill areas and local government officials. The workshop was intended to improve the understanding of airline/ helicopter operators about women’s health, especially safe motherhood issues, highlight the need for emergency air transport for women from remote areas who are suffering from complications during pregnancy and childbirth and explore the role of airline/ helicopter operators in the provision of emergency transport in these situations.