The Co-Design workshop of Kageshowri Manohara Municipality was held at 1st April 2025. Co-design in HRIDAYA project actively involved people at every level of the community. From policy makers and local leaders, health facility in-charges and health workers, female community health volunteers (FCHVs) to people living with hypertension and diabetes, co-designing focused on creating a solution with the people of the community based on their lived experiences. This workshop brought together majority of the stakeholders/individuals of Kageshowri Manohara Municipality for decision making in developing interventional strategies of NCDs, specifically Hypertension and Diabetes.
The Mayor of Kageshowri Manohara Municipality spoke with great enthusiasm about both non-communicable diseases and the concept of co-design. He passionately highlighted diabetes and hypertension as leading causes of morbidity and mortality, emphasizing their growing impact on communities. He stressed the urgent need to support and increase funding for research in these areas and expressed his strong commitment to exploring ways to raise and allocate the necessary budget to strengthen research efforts. “The more we understand these conditions,” he said, “the better equipped we will be to implement effective strategies for prevention, early detection, and management.” He firmly believes that research-driven approaches will ensure healthcare resources are spent wisely and effectively, delivering the best outcomes for the community. He was particularly excited about the role of female health volunteers and primary health workers, recognizing their vital contribution. “Women have always been at the heart of community health,” he said, “often acting as the first line of defense in identifying health issues and promoting healthy practices within families.” He emphasized that mobilizing female health volunteers is an essential step in reaching more people especially in underserved areas with vital information and support.
