Community-based surveillance system for infectious diseases launched in Kailali

Dhangadhi: A micro-surveillance system for infectious diseases and unexpected public health events is being implemented in three municipalities of Kailali district.

In collaboration with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division and UNICEF, the Public Health Research and Development Center will monitor unexpected public health events and infectious diseases within Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, Tikapur Municipality, and Joshipur Rural Municipality.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Olat Narayan Chapagain, Acting Office Chief of the Health Office, Kailali, and Upendra Karki, Program Officer of the Public Health Research and Development Center and Kailali District Program Coordinator, to coordinate and implement the micro-community-based disease surveillance system in Kailali.

Min Bahadur Dhami, Information Officer and Head of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Branch of the Health Office Kailali, stated that the program aims to ensure immediate reporting and management of epidemic infectious disease symptoms as specified by the Government of Nepal.

Upendra Karki requested the Health Office Kailali to provide necessary data and support for the program’s operation. In the first phase, orientations will be held for health workers, mother groups, tole groups, school nurses, teachers, public representatives, and security personnel in the three municipalities.

An Epidemic Intelligence Volunteer Team of 25 members will be formed in each ward, comprising women’s health volunteers, teachers, private pharmacy operators, and public representatives. These teams will receive training and conduct disease inspections. The program is scheduled to operate in Kailali until mid-2083 Poush.

The primary objective of the program is to enable citizens to report any infectious disease symptoms to the nearest health post or via Hello Health’s 1115 number. The Disease Control Division is preparing indicators to implement the program in 44 local levels across 22 districts in its first phase, covering 662 wards.