KATHMANDU: The Health Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has completed a five-day training programme for health workers involved in routine vaccination services at health institutions under the metropolis.
The first batch included 21 health workers from Urban Health Promotion Centres. The training aimed to increase access to vaccination, strengthen services, improve the use of data and reduce vaccine wastage.
It was conducted after the city prepared a micro-plan for routine vaccination services at government and private health institutions within its area.
Health Department Chief Dipak Kumar KC said the department had prioritised capacity-building programmes to ensure quality healthcare services.
Acting Health Office Chief Prabina Karmacharya said the knowledge and skills gained should be reflected in service delivery. Health Division Chief Nali Bajracharya stressed the need to focus on service management.
The training covered vaccination services, target population identification, record-keeping and reporting, legal provisions, vaccine supply and cold-chain management, monitoring, and management of adverse events following immunisation.
Vaccination programme focal person Maiya Sainju said it was the first time such comprehensive training had been organised. Nineteen health workers will receive training in the second phase.
Trainer Parthamani Neupane said the training also covered surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, identification of children who had missed or discontinued vaccination, and review of routine vaccination sessions.
Yashoda Khatri, in-charge of Urban Health Promotion Centre Ward No. 18, said the training helped health workers update their practices.
