Understanding Status quo of WASH Facilities in Quarantine of Terai

Prepared by: Amrit Bista, Member, PP Batch III

Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement and activities of people who are not ill but are believed to have been exposed to infections for the purpose of preventing disease transmission. Quarantines are the important measures for the control of reservoir. Government of Nepal has also made provision of quarantine for migrants who came from COVID-19 affected countries and other suspected people during the case investigation and contact tracing. In this regard, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO organized 8^th WASH FORUM Reloaded (WFR) on “WASH facilities in Quarantine of Terai” on 24 July, 2020 on Zoom meeting platform to understand status of quo of WASH facilities in quarantine in Terai (Province 2), details on minimum service standards required for a proper WASH facilities in quarantine and required improvement of WASH facilities and possible challenges.

Mr. Niraj Giri, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer for WASH at Welthungerhilfe was resource person for the program. During the program, information and data on minimum WASH requirements in COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centers, current status of WASH in quarantine of Terai, key indicators of proper WASH, and improvement required for the current WASH status were shared highlighting on the standard of water, sanitation, hygiene and environmental cleanliness. In compliance with data, Mr. Giri shared that though quarantine centers in Terai has sufficient facilities of WASH in regard to quantity but requires improvement in quality, its proper management and awareness among users as quarantine centers lacks proper waste segregation and use of water treatment options among other WASH behaviors.

As mentioned by Mr. Giri, developing checklists for WASH facilities and behavior for monitoring and effective implementation will help in improving the WASH status of quarantine centers. Despite the present services and status of WASH in the quarantine centers, he insisted to draw focus on flood resilient quarantine center as monsoon has arrived.

With an active participation of more than 25 participants from different educational and professional background, the 8^th WFR was organized, sharing information and addressing queries of participants. Ms. Sushama Sharma, Member, PP Batch III facilitated the overall program and Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator closed the session with vote of thanks to the resource person and all the participants.

Celebration of World Water Day – 2014, Advocating WASH as basic Human rights

Celebration of World Water Day – 2014, Advocating WASH as basic Human rights

CA members and WASH Advocates

To mark the World Water Day, 22 various organizations (INGOs, NGOs, Civil Society Networks, Government, Private Sector) which included Water-Aid, ENPHO & Paschim Paaila jointly organized the “Walk for Water” program on 22^nd March 2014 at National Table Tennis Hall, Lainchaur. Almost, 500 participants gathered and walked all the way through Kings Way, Jamal and then concluded the walk in the same hall, with a formal program.

Network Coordinator of PP handover Appeal to CA
members

Paschim Paaila presented a drama to depict WASH as basic Human Rights and should be properly addressed on upcoming constitution which is under draft. The hardships faced in both rural and urban areas due to scarcity of safe drinking water, the potential risks of using unsafe drinking water and the deteriorating conditions of public toilets in the capital were also well presented in the drama.

Volunteers form PP Demonstrating Drama

The chief guest for the program was Hon. Vice Chairperson and Deputy Speaker of the Constituent Assembly Ms. Onsari Gharti Magar. Other distinguished guests included Hon. CA Member Kiran Yadav, Nepali Congress; Hon. CA Member Ananda Prasad Pokharel, UML; Hon. CA Member, Kunta Shahi, Rastriya Prajatantra Party ; Hon. CA Member, Dr. Shivji Yadav, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum and Former Environment Minister Mr. Ganesh Shah.

"Food Hygiene Practice in Nepal; an Experience from Formative Research" WASH Forum 25th Series

WASH Forum 25^th series was conducted at ENPHO hall on 30^th August 2013 on topic "Food Hygiene Practice In Nepal; An Experience from Formative Research" with an objective is to share the knowledge and experience of formative research on food hygiene; and analyze critically on issues of food hygiene and its practices in Nepal.                  

Mr. Om Prasad Gautam, Public Health Expert of Nepal, Principal Investigator (PI) and from London school of hygiene and tropical medicine (LSHTM) was the key speaker for Discussion forum with 35 energetic youths from Public health, Environment science and Social science sector. Mr. Gautam shared his knowledge and experience regarding the interventional research recently being implemented at Baluwa and Naya Gaun VDC of Kavre District among the mothers having children's between 6 month and under 5 years. Mr. Gautam highlighted the importance of Food hygiene in all levels, especially for children's.  He motivated the youths to spread awareness of Food hygiene as it is one of the most important health issues in the present scenario in our country.

Mr. Gautam said that "changing behavior is very hard .It depends on the nature of setting. The old methods of raising awareness are not suitable, the approach and Setting should be known before implementation." Formative research on food hygiene matters as diarrhea is still 2^nd largest killing disease which is directly linked with food hygiene. He told the new idea for awareness.

In his slides he included the factors contributing for foodborne infection the previous and present changes in food hygiene handling practices of mothers after the interventional research and implementation of behavior changing approaches. The whole session was very much interactive and informative; the youth got to learn many new approaches and information. There was also shown short video regarding the critical times where mothers neglected the proper Hygiene Practices. He also introduced how the behavior of people can be changed in effective way.

Mainly question rose about the formative research regarding sustainabily, effect of education on food hygiene. He replied that it would be implemented in 4 district of Nepal. If it becomes effective then it would be implemented in other places. VDC, FCHVs will contribute in it. He told that Behavior of people affect in food hygiene. Which should be changed and they should be motivated to be ideal mother. 

The programme was then concluded by one of the supportive Paaila Ms. Susmita Paudel former Advocacy Coordinator. Overall program was facilitated by Mr. Roshan Chaulagain and the program was ended with group photo and interaction with participants.

 

Untangling the Knot regarding Water, Sanitation and Food Security on WASH FORUM

By: Merina Shakya

March, considered as the month of water, being celebrated World Water Day on 22^nd of March. The theme for this year was “Water and Food Security”. Focusing on the issue the topic entitled “Water Sanitation and Food Security: Untangling the Knot” was conducted on 30^th March 2012 as a part of WASH FORUM, March discussion series.

                             

Mr. Madan Kumar Chapagain, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control shared key notes on “Water Sanitation and Food Security: Interlinking three factors relating water sanitation and food security”. He focused on perspectives of water and food security, some facts, present scenarios and challenges on the issues. He also highlighted on the governmental efforts.

Following the session, Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, Centre of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW) shared the outcomes of Nepal National Water Week-12 with linking the issues of water, sanitation and food security. He said, “All the efforts made in between has definitely supported to untangle the knots and shown the direction to the solution.” All participant form different institutions actively participated on the forum to untangle the knot relating the water sanitation and food security through the open discussion with resource persons.