Health system strengthening: the role of public health in Federal Nepal

This article addresses some of the key Public Health approaches around the ongoing federalisation of the state of Nepal and the associated decentralisation processes in its health system. We start by outlining the main roles of the discipline of Public Health and the contribution it can make to the reform process. Then the next section introduces our on-going study into the effects of the establishment of the Federal Republic of Nepal on the organisation and running of the country’s health system. To capture the Public Health benefits of decentralisation, the process should not be only ‘top-down’, directed by policy elites. Although in theory Nepal’s health system has undergone a process of decentralisation, in practice policy and planning is often still being led by the Federal government, despite the clear roles and responsibilities of the three tiers of government in health service delivery. To improve policy and planning in the newly decentralised health system structure, there needs to be meaningful incorporation of the views of stakeholders at all levels (even the very lowest levels). Our project aims to play a part in addressing this by capturing a wide variety of experiences of the decentralisation process

Selection of study sites and participants for research into Nepal’s Federal Health System

Introduction: This article offers insights into the process of selecting representative study sites and participants in a longitudinal study in Nepal. As part of the research design process, the selection of representative areas in a large-scale study requires both intellectual and practical considerations. Methods: We briefly introduce our study into the impact of federalization on Nepal’s health system before outlining the criteria considered for the identification of fieldwork sites and the most appropriate study participants for the qualitative interviews and participatory components of this research. Findings: The selected areas are presented with an overview of the areas selected and their justification. The study sites and participants should consider a broader coverage with diverse participants’ backgrounds. Several factors can influence the identification and recruitment of the right participants, including the use of appropriate gatekeepers, gaining access to recruit participants, logistical challenges, and participant follow-up. Conclusion: We conclude that longitudinal qualitative research requires a carefully selected diverse set of study sites and participants to assess the complexities and dynamics of the health system and service provision to ensure that longitudinal research is representative and effective in addressing the research question(s) being investigated

Participatory policy analysis in health policy and systems research: reflections from a study in Nepal

Background Participatory policy analysis (PPA) as a method in health policy and system research remains underexplored. Using our experiences of conducting PPA workshops in Nepal to explore the impact of the country’s move to federalism on its health system, we reflect on the method’s strengths and challenges. We provide an account of the study context, the design and implementation of the workshops, and our reflections on the approach’s strengths and challenges. Findings on the impact of federalism on the health system are beyond the scope of this manuscript. Main body We conducted PPA workshops with a wide range of health system stakeholders (political, administrative and service-level workforce) at the local and provincial levels in Nepal. The workshops consisted of three activities: river of life, brainstorming and prioritization, and problem-tree analysis. Our experiences show that PPA workshops can be a valuable approach to explore health policy and system issues – especially in a context of widespread systemic change which impacts all stakeholders within the health system. Effective engagement of stakeholders and activities that encourage both individual- and system-level reflections and discussions not only help in generating rich qualitative data, but can also address gaps in participants’ understanding of practical, technical and political aspects of the health system, aid policy dissemination of research findings, and assist in identifying short- and long-term practice and policy issues that need to be addressed for better health system performance and outcomes. Conducting PPA workshops is, however, challenging for a number of reasons, including the influence of gatekeepers and power dynamics between stakeholders/participants. The role and skills of researchers/facilitators in navigating such challenges are vital for success. Although the long-term impact of such workshops needs further research, our study shows the usefulness of PPA workshops for researchers, for participants and for the wider health system. Conclusions PPA workshops can effectively generate and synthesize health policy and system evidence through collaborative engagement of health system stakeholders with varied roles. When designed with careful consideration for context and stakeholders’ needs, it has great potential as a method in health policy and systems research

The importance of crop improvement in conservation of diversity

In this paper, fanners describe the agro ecology of Bagnas and the diversity of crops grown there

Effect of alkali treatment on the yield and quality of agar from red alga Gracilaria verrucosa (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) occurring at different salinity gradient of Chilika lake

202-205Gracilaria verrucosa was collected at salinity gradient of 4.2 to 28 ppt in the Chilika lake was used for agar extraction. Agar yield of 27-30% with gel strength 165 to 180 g/cm² was obtained from the alga occurring at two different locations of Southern sector of the lake showing salinity 6.5 to 8.0 ppt. NaOH pre-treatment strongly influenced the agar characteristics. Alkali pre-treatment of Gracilaria verrucosa yielded agar with increased gel strength but the yield was lowered. With 10% alkali pre-treatment the sulphate content of agar was reduced together with increase in 3,6,-anhydro galactose content and the gel strength. Using Gracilaria verrucosa from salinity ranges 6.5 to 8.0 ppt of Chilika lake and extraction with 10% alkali, good quality of agar with gel strength of 265 to 275 g/cm² and moderate yield of 25 to 26% was obtained suggesting its potential for commercial exploitation

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Not AvailableThis paper discusses the influence of extreme cold on Prosopis juliflora, recorded in Bundelkhand region at Datia, Madhya Pradesh, in the year 2011. P. Juliflora more akin to Australian form has colonised on the parched tank bed since 2004 and it has grown lavishly. P. juliflora die-back was observed in low lying area of about 5ha on the parched tank bed. Complete die-back (up to 93 % of stems over almost five hectare) was observed in second fort night of January 2011. Its die-back has been attributed to extreme low temperature recorded as-1.5 C to 3 C during first 12 days of January 2011. Low lying areas with high soil moisture content coupled with high stand density and low temperature prevailing for a considerable period might be the reason for freezing of available soil moisture to the plants and causing die-back. Plants have started recuperating by sprouting new shoots in main stem and at base since first week of March 2011. No die-back symptoms were observed in plants grown at higher elevation in the adjoining area.Not Availabl

Exocellular polysaccharides produced by cyanobacteria contribute to their survival on the lithic surfaces of stone monuments

Characterization of the polymeric matrix of the phototrophic biofilm grown on Indian monument

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Not AvailableEnvironment, energy and food security are the key instruments in recent days guiding global policies. All governments across the globe are working towards green economy. Thus all available resources including wastelands have been pressed to produce biomass to meet energy demand. Therefore, all governments started programmes for managing and rehabilitating wastelands with suitable productive technologies generally by establishing forest cover in arid or drought-stricken regions which is a challenging task. The semi-arid lands of the world are characterized by low and unreliable rainfall, with lack of soil moisture during all or part of the year being the predominant limitation to vegetative growth. Greening of such lands with certain economic returns holds key for livelihood security and economic prosperity of the dry arid regions. Thus we made an attempt to assess the claims made against potential of various trees bearing oilseeds (TBOs) species from field data by establishing plantation with moisture conservation measures in Bundelkhand, one of the most backward regions in the country. We selected local TBOs vizMadhucalatifolia (mahua), Azadirachtaindica(neem) and Pongamiapinnata(karanj) for the study. This paper highlights actual field problems such as moisture stress, effect of Loo and wildlife damage faced by individual species in their early establishment in the region. In-situ moisture conservation measures viz., double trench, single trench and v-shapecatment, though retains high soil moisture content fail to support saplings survivability during hot summer. Mahua and neem requires protection and life saving irrigation during summer period thus we proposed to provide individual trees guard protection to ensure early growth in the region. We found that karanj has potential to withstand in these dry tracts without irrigation and protection however economics of harvest yet to be verified from field data for these species. Thus we suggest region specific TBOs plantation programme ought to have fund earmarked for protection, irrigation and after care instead of large area coverage.Not Availabl