Improved program roll-out efficiency:

Lessons learned from last year’s experiences adapting to a variety of very difficult working conditions taught us a great deal about improving our efficiency in terms of program roll out. This past quarter we reduced traveling by bundling/integrating some of our field interventions. Because we traveled less often (thanks to the integrated interventions), we were able to rent cars (instead of using public transport) which reduced the time spent traveling (and increased the time our staff had available for field work), while at the same time protecting our staff from infection in crowded public transport. We also digitized many of our internal processes to avoid administrative delays. With the lower numbers of COVID cases during Q1, these added efficiencies translated into better achievements for our field teams. 

Project amendment approved by SWC:

The Social Welfare Council (SWC) approved the third amendment to our current five year project agreement which included changes in our program activities required to address the new field conditions during the pandemic. It also reflected a 6-month contract extension to March 31, 2022 to make up the delays incurred during the pandemic. 

New remote training programs:

We implemented two new remote training programs this quarter. We provided technical support to the Family Welfare Division of the Government of Nepal to implement a virtual PPH prevention and management training program for 83 healthcare providers (nurses and doctors) at the district and referral hospital level. We also provided virtual coaching and mentoring to 43 medical providers (SBAs) who had received previous ultrasound training to refresh the skills and knowledge they’d gained during their original in-person training. 

COVID vaccination drive:

The Government of Nepal launched a nation-wide COVID vaccination drive prioritizing frontline healthcare providers and the elderly. As a result, we adjusted our health facility-level program activities to accommodate this effort as many of our trainees are medical providers and were actively participating in this campaign. 

Rise in COVID cases in neighboring India:

India’s pandemic curve, which had flattened in January and February, has recently taken a sharp upward turn since March with new more aggressive mutations of the virus. Nepal, which shares a long porous border with India, is vulnerable to a similar situation despite progress in the vaccination efforts, which is likely to result in additional lock-downs and travel restrictions during Q2.