Dharamshala: Snow Lion Foundation (SLF) started conducting a community health needs assessment in Nepal on 18 October 2022, under the guidance of the Department of Health, CTA. Tenzin Choedon, the SLF’s health officer, participated in a virtual orientation session on conducting community health needs assessments on 13 October that was led by the Health Department’s project officer, Tsering.
The primary goal of the health needs assessment was to identify the settlement’s health needs by conversing with and visiting the residents, and then to prioritise projects for the next three years. The community health needs assessment was thoroughly discussed by the SLF Executive Secretary, Administrator, and SLF Health Officer in order to ensure its success.
The community’s requirements were assessed by a team that included SLF Health Officer Tenzin Choedon, SLF WASH Coordinator Tenzin Tenpa and Nurse Chime Youdon. A variety of Tibetan monasteries, settlement offices, clinics, hospitals, and schools were visited for the assessment. The team also gathered grievances and information about the community’s basic requirements to be reported to the Central Tibetan Administration. During this visit, the team assessed how well the Department of Health’s services met community needs.
SLF has conducted the assessment on the following dates:
- 18 Oct 2022 – Samdupling Settlement.
- 19 Oct 2022 – Gyalphak and Shawara settlement.
- 21 Oct 2022 – Tashi Palkhiel settlement, Tserok and Dorpatan.
- 22 Oct 2022 – Lodrik Settlement.
- 23 Oct 2022 – Tashiling Settlement, Manang and Tsum.
- 25 Oct 2022 – Choejor Settlement.
In addition to determining the needs of the community, the team was able to disseminate information about various CTA public health initiatives and services that are offered to settlement residents in order to promote their health. Due to the unpredictable weather, the team was unable to visit some remote settlements or places, but they made every effort to learn about the health requirements of those residents through one-on-one interviews with settlement officers and representatives.
-Report filed by Department of Health, CTA