Finalization workshop for National IPC Strategy held

Bagmati Province, Nepal – The Nursing and Social Security Division (NSSD), Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS), organized a workshop dedicated to finalizing the National Strategy on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). This initiative was conducted with technical support from WHO and catalytic funding from The Pandemic Fund.  The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including senior officials from MoHFS, clinicians, nurses, public health experts and academics. Participants engaged in collaborative group work and plenary discussions, thoroughly reviewing the draft strategy and reaching consensus on key revisions required for its finalization. As a landmark policy document, the finalized strategy is anticipated to provide a robust national framework for strengthening IPC programs throughout Nepal. Its adoption is expected to enhance patient safety, standardize the quality of care, and reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across the country. WHO will continue its collaboration with MoHFS to secure the strategy’s final endorsement, support the development of an implementation plan, strengthen HAI surveillance systems, build workforce capacity and monitor nationwide implementation. This activity reinforces Nepal’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage. It also aligns with WHO’s global and South-East Asia Regional priorities on quality of care and IPC.