The national Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has trained over 5,200 female community health volunteers from across the nation in prevention and control of spreading of malaria in the communities especially in pregnant women and under five children. The Nepalese government conducted training for drug retailers and female volunteers in nine malaria program districts, from 2006 – 2007.

Upon completion of the training, the volunteers are able to identify malaria patients, give appropriate referral service for infected people and raise awareness among community members on controlling the spread of malaria. Recently the women have received training in treating probable malaria.

A Profile of a Female Community Health Volunteer

“If we have an emergency even in the middle of the night, we know that our FCHV is available, otherwise we would have to go all the way to Attariya (approximately half an hour by vehicle, if available). We women are comfortable in telling her all our problems – things that we could not talk about with the men health officials. She gives us regular awareness raising classes on the various diseases which is important for us to know as we have to protect our families. As a local resident and member of Mothers’ Group, we want her to receive more capacity building training so that she can help us more. They know that she will be there” comments from Mothers’ Group, Malakheti Village

In Nepal there are approximately 48,000 female community health volunteers nationwide. They are provided 18 days basic training in primary health care. The role of the FCHV is to act as voluntary health educators and promoters, community mobilizers. They are the main providers of community-based primary health care in rural Nepal and the vital referral link between the health services and communities.