Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) held a mid-term workshop on the project Health Services Improvement in Tikapur (HIT). The workshop was organized to share its activities and achievements since the commencement of the project.

According to a press release of KOICA office, HIT project started after the MOU for the project was signed between the Korean and Nepalese government on Dec 9, 2011. KOICA’s budget for this project is US$ 5.5 million with the main objective of supporting the national initiative of the Government of Nepal to enhance the quality of primary health care, contribute to enhance the health services by upgrading the health infrastructure and reinforcing community health program and to improve health service management by strengthening the capacity of the health workers in the project site.

The workshop highlighted that the new buildings in Tikpaur Hospital and 6 new health posts are under construction. The project has been regularly conducting different types of capacity building trainings for health workers and Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV). The project is also conducting various community awareness programs especially on safe delivery, neonatal care maternal care, safe drinking water, shelter and notorious food for Chaupadi women.

Kabi Raj Khanal of PPICD of the Ministry of Health and Population appreciated the project concept and pledged full cooperation from the Ministry side for the successful completion of this project. In the workshop, Resident Representative Ms. HaengLan Jo expressed sincere gratitude to the MoHP for its support to KOICA in implementing different health projects and programs. She also emphasized that the health sector is one of the priority sector of KOICA in Nepal.

Medical equipments necessary for the general treatment and Operation Theater have been already supported in Tikapur Hospital. Because of such support now Tikapur Hospital is able to perform minor surgeries and C Section surgeries.

Apart from HIT project KOICA has supported 2 Korean doctor, nurses, and lab technicians in Tikapur Hospital to enhance the capacity of the Hospital.  At present 22 KOICA volunteers from health background including 2 medical doctors and 3 surgeons are working within and outside the valley. KOICA has been supporting the community based health insurance program in Nepal since 2010, in close cooperation with MOHP as well as other external development partners. KOICA has recently signed the Record of Discussion with the Ministry of Health and Population for the National Health Insurance Support Project. KOICA also joined the Technical Working Group for the National Health Insurance in 2011.