Launch of the Integrated Maternal and Child Health Handbook Pilot Implementation in Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces

On 20 July (Gandaki Province) and 22 July (Lumbini Province), the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, the Gandaki and Lumbini Province Governments, and JICA successfully launched the Integrated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook Initiative’s Pilot Implementation.

The launch events were held under the guardianship of the Hon’ble Minister of Health, Mr Ramjee Prasad Ghimire, Principal Secretary, Mr Krishna Prasad Kapri, and Province Secretary, Ms Durga Laxmi Shrestha, in Lumbini Province, and Hon’ble Minister of Health, Mr Laxman Bahadur Pandey, Province Secretary, Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula, in Gandaki Province, with participation from federal Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Department of Health Services, Provincial and Local Governments’ representatives, health workers, Female Community Health Volunteers, local mothers, and Development Partners.

During the events, Dr Gauri Pradhan Shrestha, MNH Section Chief of Family Welfare Division and Project Manager, shared the progress updates and pilot implementation plan. The first MCH Handbooks were symbolically handed over to pregnant women, and essential maternal and child health equipment was officially handed over to the provinces by JICA.

Mr Mizuki Matsuzaki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office, and Ms Keiko Osaki, Senior Advisor of Health at JICA Headquarters, expressed their hope that the MCH Handbook will become a trusted companion for mothers, children, and families across Nepal, supporting their lives and brighter futures.

The project will move forward to the pilot implementation in Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces from August. We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration with federal, provincial, and local governments to strengthen maternal and child health services in Nepal.