FCHV Program

 Female Community Health Volunteer Program  (According to Annual Report 2075/76, DoHS, Nepal)

 

Ø FY 2045/46(1988/89 AD): GoN initiated FCHVs program in 27 districts.

Ø FY 2050 (1993 AD): Expanded to 28 district on the basic of population.

Ø 1995 AD: Expanded to all 75 districts in phase manner.

Ø FY 2060 (2003AD): National FCHV Program strategy was revised.

Ø 2006 AD: National survey for FCHVs was conducted to access existing situation of volunteers.

Ø FCHVs celebrated day – 5^th December.

Ø FCHVs are selected by mother’s group.

Ø The FCHVs program is externally supported by USAIDs, UNICEF, UNFPA and Other NGOs.

Ø FCHVs are provided 18 days basic training in 2 phases (9+9) days on selected primary health care components.

Ø FCHV logo – 1^st ring (ward), 2^nd ring (VDC), 3^rd ring (District) and 4^th ring (Nation).

Ø FCHVs materials

·     Identity card , ward register , bag

·     FCHV manual , flip chart , certificate

·     Sign board , medicine kit box, IEC materials

Ø FCHVs training

·     18 days basic training for new FCHVs (9+9 within 2 month interval).

·     5 days refresher training every 5 years for working FCHVs.

·     Conducting review meeting (trimester 2+1+1 days).

·     Orientation meeting for VDC member (1 days)

·     Orientation meeting for mothers group (1 days)

Ø Supervision

·     FCHVs are monthly supervised by AHW/ANMs.

·     FCHVs are 4 monthly supervised by PHCCs/HPs.

·     FCHVs are yearly supervised by District supervisor.

Ø Role of FCHVs

·     To promote health and healthy behavior of mother and community member.

·     To supply pills, condoms, ORS, zinc, vitamin A capsules.

·     To distribute iron tablets to pregnant women.

·     To support health personnel from HPs and PHCCs for the promotion of safe motherhood, child health, family planning and other health services.

·     To treat mild case of pneumonia by supplying cotrimoxazole and refers severe cases.

Ø According to Revised FCHV strategy 2060, FCHV population ratio:

·     In mountain region : 1 FCHVs / 200 population

·     In hill region : 1 FCHVs / 350 population

·     In Terai region : 1 FCHVs /1000 population

Ø Mother groups consists of :

·     11 members in mountain region

·     15 members in hill region

·     21 members in terai region

Ø Goal: Improve the health of local communities by promoting public health. This includes imparting knowledge and skills for empowering women, increasing awareness on health related issues and involving local institutions in promoting health care.

Ø Objectives

·     Mobilize a pool of motivated volunteers to connect health programmes with communities and to provide community-based health services

·     Activate women to tackle common health problems by imparting relevant knowledge and skills

·     Increase community participation in improving health

·     Develop FCHVs as health motivators

·     Increase the use of health care services.