Birat Nepal Medical Trust

Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT Nepal) is a Nepalese non-governmental organization dedicated towards the improved health and well-being of Nepalese people. BNMT Nepal envisions a new Nepal where all Nepalese are aware of their basic rights and are able to live healthy and productive lives, in a safe environment without having to worry about food, income or security regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability or HIV status.

Vision

Improved health and wellbeing of Nepalese people.

Mission

To make sure that those who are socially and economically disadvantaged have equal access to high-quality healthcare and supportive environments.

Area of Focus

Health, climate change and environment contributing to improved health, livelihood and social harmonization. -

Geographical Coverage

In 2019, BNMT worked across 18 districts of Nepal reaching more than 8 million people through our programs. Its efforts are inclined towards strengthening the capacity of local institutions and empowering communities through innovative approaches to access and advocate for increased, improved, and equitable access to essential health services.

Working Principles

• Adhere to and appreciate partnership at all levels
• Ensure Sustainable Development
• Respect for Equity and Diversity
• Promote Transparency Accountability

BNMT Nepal Strategic Pillar (2020-2025)

• Accelerating elimination of Infectious and Disease
• Strengthening Health Systems
• Improving Mental Health Adolescent Health and
• Building Resilient prosperous Communities
• Generate evidence to inform Policy

Major Program Focus

• Tuberculosis
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights including Menstrual health
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services
• Water Sanitation and Hygiene

Activities

BNMT UK support in COVID 19 response

In response, BNMT launched the SUSTAIN emergency aid effort in our project regions. The Ministry of Health and Population, the regional district administrations, and community stakeholders were involved in the project's creation. With funding from BNMT UK and the Nick Simmons Foundation, Project SUSTAIN was implemented in the Nepali districts of Morang, Chitwan, Pyuthan, Bardiya, and Mahottari. Through the provision of personal protective equipment, the initiative has facilitated emergency purchasing and delivery to the most vulnerable households (PPE). For front-line health workers, supplies of soap, hand sanitizer, and thermometers; for families suffering from food insecurity because of job loss, supplies of food, sanitation supplies, and essential medications.

National Tuberculosis Programme

National Tuberculosis Program funded by The Global fund via Principal recipient Save the Children is a nationwide tuberculosis project that aims to reduce TB incidence by 20% and increase case notifications by a cumulative total of 20,000 by 2021. BNMT is working in partnership with Save the Children, NTC and the government health system as a sub-recipient to deliver services in five districts of Province 1, Nepal.

Breaking Silence: Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of earthquake affected adolescents of Sindhupalchowk

The project's goal of breaking the taboo around SRHR and inciting change has been accomplished because to its active engagement with the community, schools, government, downstream delivery partners, and varied demographic groups. The relationship between SRHR and hazardous behaviors, including traditional menstrual beliefs and practices, child marriage, sexual abuse and violence, and suicide has led to the government and community stakeholders undervaluing SRHR as a problem that has to be solved. Similarly, discuss the connections between the SRHR and mental health with health professionals and influential members of the community.

Fostering the Change: Forum Theatre on Child Marriage

A novel partnership between BNMT and Circus Kathmandu was started with the goal of igniting change within the affected communities through forum theater. Forum theater is built around a traditional play that is presented by trained actors in a participatory format, allowing the audience to become "spect-actors" and explore or practice solutions to real-life problems in a setting that fosters discussion. The drama featured narratives about child marriage and its effects, as well as harmful menstrual practices.

Health Priorities: Mental Health

For BNMT, mental health is a top focus. Adolescent mental health issues are a global problem that is understudied and underfunded. Teachers, female community health volunteers, social workers, and youth volunteers are among the gatekeepers identified by BNMT. These individuals receive training in psychosocial support services where they learn to recognize prevalent issues and make the right recommendations in response. The non-specialized healthcare personnel are also given training to spot problems. For instance, we teach individuals how to spot the warning signs, identify high-risk demographics, and assist someone receiving care from a professional if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideas.Professional counselors provide psychological assistance and life skill instruction to the pupils. The worldwide COVID 19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems, with many people reporting higher levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and social isolation as well as decreased job security and income. The use of harmful drugs and alcohol, domestic abuse, self-harm, and suicide have all increased significantly.

Enhancing Community health in Nepal: an extended WASH programme to promote menstrual health of school girls of Sindhupalchowk district

The initiative, which was developed in response to district stakeholder demand, aimed to enhance the menstrual health of teenage schoolgirls by providing them with correct information, safe and cheap sanitary products, and adequate access to washing and sanitation facilities. From August to October 2019, the project was carried out in three schools in the Indrawati Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk. Adolescent girls' access to education, health care, and dignity was improved thanks to the program's successful promotion of menstrual health and hygiene among students, teachers, and community leaders.

Achievements:

• increased awareness of menstrual health
• increased knowledge of sanitation during menstuation
• access to sanitary pads is made easier for preserving personal hygiene.
• Improved restrooms and other sanitary facilities that are gender-neutral are used to encourage teenage females to attend school when they are menstruating.