Prescriber supervision and municipal level advocacy meeting at Ramechhap

A municipal level advocacy meeting/consultation workshop was conducted by TPO Nepal at Manthali municipality on 3^rd July 2018 and Khaadadevi rural municipality on 6^th July, 2018. Thirty one elected representatives including mayor, deputy mayor, chairperson of all wards as well as a focal person of health, journalist and representatives from TPO Nepal participated in the workshop at Manthali municipality. While at Khandadevi rural municipality, mayor, deputy mayor, executive officer, members of rural municipality and representatives from TPO Nepal participated. A paper on current mental health status and future directions was presented by TPO Nepal in this workshop.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar Basnet, mayor of Manthali municipality was committed to run metal health programs and manage free medicines regularly from this year, with coordination and support of non-governmental organizations. Similarly, Mr. Prem Tamang, chairperson of Khaadadevi rural municipality assured to allocate budget for mental health programs from this fiscal year.

A supervision meeting was also held at Manthali, Ramechhap for prescribers on 9^th July, 2018 and non-prescribers on 3^rd and 4^th July, 2018. 20 health assistants and medical officers participated in the prescriber supervision which was facilitated by Dr. Kamal Gautam. Similarly, 18 ANMs/staff nurses participated in the non-prescriber supervision which was facilitated by Ms. Ambika Balami. Difficult cases, learnings from the training and referral channels were discussed during the supervision. These events were conducted as part of Mental Health Integration in Ramechhap district of Nepal (MHIRa) project, implemented at Ramechhap district by TPO Nepal and supported by Americares.