Kathmandu, Apr. 7: A discussion programme on why a cleanliness drive should be launched was organised recently by Kaski DDC and Nepal Environmental Journalists Group jointly.

During the discussion, Dr Achyut Bhattarai of Teku Hospital presented the main human development indces for Kaski district based on a report prepared by new era and the Health Services Department. Discussions held in groups focused on toilets with and without water and cleanliness and tradition.

Participating in the programme chaired by DDC member Rajendra Subedi were 55 persons including the DDC Vice-Chairman and other members, local journalists, the district public health officer, the district women’s development officer, UNICEF regional and district representatives, representatives of NGOs involved with health and cleanliness, a representative of the district drinking water corporation, the Mayor of Lekhnath Municipality, a representative of Pokhara Sub-Municipal Corporation and VDC chairmen.

Meanwhile in Bhadrapur, a number of parasites have been found in the stomachs of 77 percent of children at Bhrikuti Lower Secondary School.

According to the environmental and health service centre, Damak, out of 105 students given check-ups, hookworm was found in 12 and other parasites in others. Medicines were distributed free of cost to the students who are suffering from the parasites due to polluted water, consumption of vegetables which had not been cleaned properly, biting of finger nails and failure to wash hands and feet properly, chairman of the centre Narendra Bhattarai said.

A large number of children were also found suffering from parasites during health check-ups carried out by the centre at Dhukurpani Highschool in Damak Municipality, Ward No. 6.

At a health camp held under the chairmanship of centre chairman Bhattarai, a host of speakers including Mayor Romnath Oli and chief of Amda Hospital Dr. Shankar Prasad Chhajadar lauded the role played by the centre in controlling parasite-borne disease and creating awareness against such disease. During the camp, Amda Hospital, Lifeline Health Care and Damak sub-health post provided technical support as well as medicines free of cost.

In Charikot (Dolakha), the district forest office Dolakha has organised a three day seminar on medicinal herbs and their traditional use. The seminar was aimed at preserving traditional knowledge about the identity and use of medicinal herbs. Traditional healers and shamans participating in the seminar exchanged their knowledge about herbal uses.

The seminar discussed the use of l3 herbs now on the brink of extinction, 45 herbs which are available and l7 others which are common.

Participating in the seminar were Maheshwar Bhakta Shrestha of the Rural Health Development Project, Kaviraj Bhakti Prasad Ghimire, assistant forest officer Narayan Shrestha, Ranger Ishwar Prasad Upadhyaya and Bhabeshwar Das as well as traditional healers and shamans who practice in the district.

Likewise in Amargadhi (Dadeldhura), the “B.P. with the Poor” development programme district level coordination and follow-up committee, Dadeldhura, organised a day-long introductory seminar about the programme here recently.

President of the ” B.P. with the Poor” district committee   Hari Prasad Bhatta shed light on the objectives of the programme.

Chief district officer Dilli Prasad Shivakoti spoke on the important role of the different sectors in making the programme successful.

Chiefs of different district-based offices, representatives of political parties and local bodies took part in the seminar.