Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) Programme, Nepal
Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) Programme, Nepal: The government initiated the Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) Programme in 2045/46 (1988/1989) in 27 districts and expanded it to all 75 districts thereafter. Initially one FCHV was appointed per ward following which in 2050 (1993/94) a population based approach was introduced in 28 districts. There are 51,416 FCHVs with 46,088 at rural/VDC level and 5,328 at urban/municipality level. Urban FCHVs are mobilized through municipalities, while rural FCHVs are mobilized by local health posts or PHCCs. FCHVs are selected by members of Mothers’ Group for Health (MG‐H) with the help of local health facility staff.
FCHVs are selected by healthy mothers’ groups. FCHVs are provided with 18 days (9+9) basic training following which they receive medicine kit boxes, manuals, flipcharts, ward registers, IEC materials, and an FCHV bag, signboard and identity card. Family planning devices (pills and condoms only) iron tablets, vitamin A capsules, and ORS are supplied to them through health facilities.
The major role of FCHVs is to advocate healthy behaviour by mothers and community people to promote safe motherhood, child health, and family planning and other community based health issues and service delivery. FCHVs distribute condoms and pills, ORS packets and vitamin A capsules, treat pneumonia cases, refer serious cases to health institution and motivate and educate local people on healthy behaviour. They also distribute iron tablets to pregnant women.
The government is committed to increase the morale and participation of FCHVs for community health. Policies, strategies and guidelines have been developed to strengthen the programme. The FCHV programme strategy was revised in 2067 (2010) to promote a strengthened national programme. In fiscal year 2064/65 MoH established FCHV funds of NPR 50,000 in each VDC mainly to promote income generation activities. FCHVs are recognised for having played a major role in reducing maternal and child mortality and general fertility through community-based health programmes. Source of Info: DoHS, Annual Report 2072/73 (2015/16)
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Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) Programme, Nepal
Read More:
- Goal and objectives of the FCHV Programme
- Role of FCHV
- Explanation of logo:
- National Female Community Health Volunteer Program Strategy
- Selection of FCHV
- Retirement
- National Female Community Health Volunteer Program Strategy
Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) Programme, Nepal
