On 8th May 2025, the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) discussed their role in the HRIDAYA project, focusing on raising awareness rather than conducting screenings. Project Officer Ms. Simran Parajuli clarified that members should promote health check-ups and timely diagnosis at health posts. Members highlighted the community’s lack of awareness, neglect of symptoms, and risks of avoiding medication. Concerns were raised about unhealthy dietary habits and early onset of conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Personal stories illustrated the urgent need for education, support, and access to medications. The discussion concluded with a shared understanding that the CAC’s core responsibility lies in disseminating knowledge, encouraging health check-ups, and correcting misconceptions about medication and disease.
On 5th June 2025, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed the implementation and feasibility of the HRIDAYA project in Madhya Nepal, focusing on identifying people with diabetes and hypertension through trained Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). Questions arose regarding FCHVs’ roles, project’s geographic scope, screening devices and training, project feasibility and sustainability with clarification from Project Officer Ms. Simran Parajuli. Positive feedback highlighted the project’s potential to detect undiagnosed cases and link patients to treatment, while FCHVs emphasized the need for practical experience and adequate training. The meeting concluded that non-communicable diseases are a rising concern, and the HRIDAYA project is crucial for training local health workers, empowering FCHVs, and enabling routine community-based health monitoring as a collaborative municipal effort.
