MNH Helpline Technical Brief
In times of crisis, we are forced to be innovative for survival.
COVID-19 created huge challenges for health service providers but also created opportunities for innovation. As soon as the first wave of COVID-19 started, the risks for maternal and neonatal healthcare service providers increased.
The leadership of the Government of Nepal, OHW, and Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (NESOG) started an emergency MNH helpline to help nurses at rural birthing centers communicate directly with senior doctors, gynecologists, and MNH experts to consult on the most complicated pregnancy cases. This MNH helpline helped them in their clinical decision making.
To measure the effectiveness of this initiative, OHW and the Family Welfare Division (FWD) carried out research in 551 health facilities in 14 OHW program districts. These findings were shared during knowledge-sharing MNH workshop held in Kathmandu in partnership between OHW and FWD on 21 March.
The workshop invited a diverse group of Nepali health professionals, policy makers, and stakeholders including: the Ministry of Health and Population, Family Welfare Division, Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Paropkar Maternity & Women’s Hospital, Kanti Children Hospital, Nursing and Social Security Division, and representatives from rural birthing centers, provincial hospital and other MNH partners.
Thanks to all the participants for their active engagement, interaction, feedback and their valuable inputs – making this a very successful knowledge-sharing event!
