Integrated Reproductive Health Camps

Integrated Reproductive Health Camps bring critical health care to Jajarkot and West Rukum in Karnali District – areas affected by earthquakes last year. The Earthquakes disrupted regular health services and highlighted the need for specialist services in these remote hilly regions. The project is organising 28 health camps, targeting 8400 recipients in coordination with the local municipalities with a key focus on increasing service usage for the marginalised populations and advocacy for reproductive health issues within the communities. While the camps are primarily targeting women, general healthcare is also provided and available to men visiting the camps. This project is supported by UKAID through UN organizations (JRAP), with additional contributions from ADRA Switzerland and ADRA UK. It will run from August to December 2024.

Community Outreach and Advocacy:

Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) are supporting the camps by visiting households and using questionnaires to assess the reproductive health of women in each household. Those identified with potential reproductive health concerns are be encouraged to attend the health camps.

At the camps, women are screened for conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, cervical cancer, and obstetric fistulas, along with any other reproductive health issues and they will also have access to family planning and psychosocial counselling services.

The health camps provide 10 services:

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Screening
Cervical Cancer Screening
Evaluation of Lower Abdominal Pain, Abnormal Vaginal Discharge, and Other Pelvic Health Concerns
Pregnancy Testing and Counselling
Sexually Transmitted Disease Screening and Counselling
Family Planning Services
Psycho-social Support and Counselling
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Counselling
Health Education and Awareness of Reproductive and General Healthcare
Distribution of Essential Medicines

Why Reproductive Health?

Reproductive health issues are common due to factors like:

Early marriage
Early childbirth
Untrained birth attendants
Short birth intervals
Poor nutrition and lack of education.
Stigma and low health-seeking behaviour also contribute to the challenges women face.

These issues can negatively impact women’s physical, social, and mental well-being. Many women suffer in isolation due to stigma, unaware that help is available.

ADRA Nepal ensures that these health camps offer vital treatment, education, and support, empowering women to improve their own health and share knowledge with their communities, ultimately fostering better reproductive health for future generations.