12th Rural Healthcare Workers Conference

Basic maintenance and repair of medical equipment in primary level hospitals in Nepal is crucial to ensure the functionality, safety, and reliability of healthcare services.

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts how individuals think, feel, and behave, affecting how they handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It's essential to maintain good mental health as it influences every aspect of life, including relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Taking care of mental health involves seeking support when needed, practicing self-care, maintaining healthy relationships, and adopting coping strategies to manage stress and challenges effectively.

The Government of Nepal defines disability as a condition where a person feels difficulty to perform day-to-day activities and participate in his or her social life due to problems in body organs and system, including physical, socio-cultural and communication barriers. Disability has been classified into seven categories: (1) physical disability; (2) visual impairment: blind and low vision; (3) hearing impairment: deaf and hard of hearing; (4) deaf blind; (5) speech impairment: (6) mental disability: intellectual disability, mental illness and autism; and (7) multiple disabilities (MoWCSW, 2014). This session will highlight on disability management in rural setting in Nepal.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols continuously evolve to adapt to new infectious diseases and scientific discoveries. Some major changes in IPC protocols include: Pandemic Preparedness, Antibiotic Resistance, Technological Advancements: Integration of advanced technologies like UV-C disinfection, air filtration systems, and enhanced sterilization methods to minimize infection transmission.

Key components of newborn resuscitation include:

• Assessment: Quickly assessing the newborn's breathing and heart rate after birth.
• Stimulation: Gently stimulating the baby to initiate breathing.
• Ventilation: Providing positive pressure ventilation using a bag-mask device or specialized equipment to support breathing.
• Medications: Administering medications if needed to stabilize the newborn's condition.

The management of common fractures involves several key steps aimed at promoting proper healing and restoring function. Initially, it involves assessing the fracture through clinical examination and imaging techniques like X-rays to determine the type and severity of the break. Treatment typically includes immobilization of the affected area using splints, casts, or braces to maintain proper alignment and prevent further injury. In some cases, manual reduction or surgery may be necessary to realign the bones. Pain management, along with elevation and icing of the affected area, helps alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. Follow-up care involves monitoring healing progress, possibly incorporating physical therapy to regain strength and mobility. Patient education regarding activity modifications and rehabilitation exercises is vital for optimal recovery and to prevent complications associated with fractures.

• Assessment and Diagnosis: Guidelines for risk assessment, screening, and diagnosis of NCDs.

• Treatment Guidelines: Recommendations for the management and treatment of various noncommunicable diseases, often focusing on cost-effective interventions.

• Patient Education and Counseling: Strategies to educate patients about their condition, its management, lifestyle changes, and the importance of adherence to treatment plans.

• Monitoring and Follow-Up: Protocols for monitoring patients' progress, follow-up visits, and ensuring adherence to treatment plans.

• Integration into Primary Healthcare: Guidelines on how to integrate NCD prevention and management into existing primary healthcare systems.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) prevention utilizes a bundle approach, incorporating active management of the third stage of labor, uterotonic drugs, timely placental delivery, and immediate recognition of excessive bleeding. Ongoing monitoring, provider training, and patient education are integral, ensuring swift intervention and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality associated with PPH.

Primary burn care involves the immediate and initial management of burn injuries from the moment of injury through the early stages of treatment. It focuses on providing immediate first aid, assessing the severity of the burn, and initiating appropriate measures to prevent complications and promote healing.

Primary prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) involves measures aimed at preventing its development in individuals who do not have the condition. Key strategies for primary prevention of CKD include encouraging healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. By focusing on these preventive measures, individuals can reduce their risk of developing CKD and promote better kidney health throughout their lives.

Primary Trauma Care involves immediate, basic interventions to stabilize trauma patients before specialized care. It emphasizes the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure, enabling prompt and effective initial trauma management.

Triage is a systematic method used in healthcare settings and during Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) to prioritize the allocation of medical care based on the severity of injuries and the urgency of treatment needed. It involves rapid assessment and categorization of patients into different priority levels, typically labeled as immediate, delayed, minimal, or expectant, to ensure that those with the most critical injuries receive immediate attention and resources. Triage aims to maximize the number of lives saved by efficiently managing limited medical resources during emergencies, ensuring that the greatest good is achieved for the greatest number of people in need of care. In MCIs, triage helps responders allocate resources effectively, treating the most critical cases first while providing the best possible care to the greatest number of individuals affected.

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as dengue, Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), leishmaniasis, and malaria exert a huge burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The principal method by which these diseases are controlled is through vector control. The session will highlight Nepal’s national guidelines and operation guidance for vector control and surveillance.