NHTC Module-2 training for Primary Health Care Workers

Five days of NHTC Module-2 training on mental health and two days of research and evaluation were successfully conducted by TPO Nepal in close coordination with the National Health Training Centre (NHTC) and Provincial health directorate, Gandaki province from 10th January to 16th January 2023 at Pokhara. The mental health training was conducted based on the NHTC Module 2. The objective of this training was to train the Primary Health Care (PHC) workers on NHTC Module 2. A total of 14 health workers(6M/8F), participated in the training. A pre-test and post-test were conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the training. The training was formally started with welcome remarks from Mr. Ramesh Adhikari (Director, Health Training Center-Gandaki Province) highlighting the importance of strengthening the capacity of primary healthcare workers to provide quality mental health services at the community level. As a part of government monitoring and supervision, Mr.Santosh Paudel (Health Office, Parbat) visited the training and emphasized the severity of mental health problems in the community and the importance of providing mental health services in primary healthcare settings.

The training session was facilitated by Dr. Dipesh Bhattarai, a Psychiatrist at Bir Hospital, and Dr. Gita Subedi, a Psychiatrist at Madhyabindu District Hospital. Similarly, Ms. Sabitra Sharma, Clinical Supervisor/Trainer at TPO Nepal, facilitated the psychosocial sessions. Facilitators provided training on different mental health conditions and their psychosocial and pharmacological management in the primary health care setting using different methods such as lectures, discussions, role-play, videos, and group work.