KATHMANDU, March 25: The government on Tuesday unveiled the evaluation findings of the Hygiene Promotion through Routine Immunization (HPTRI) programme, highlighting expanded nationwide coverage and measurable improvements in hygiene behaviour and immunization uptake.
Implemented by the Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with WaterAid Nepal, the programme has reached around 1.8 million caregivers of children under 15 months since its nationwide expansion. Officials said the initiative currently benefits more than 530,000 mothers and caregivers annually through over 19,000 monthly immunization sessions across the country.
Launched as a pilot in 2014 in four districts—Jajarkot, Bardiya, Nawalparasi and Myagdi—the programme was expanded nationwide in 2018 and later scaled to all 77 districts in 2020 alongside the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine.
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According to the evaluation, key hygiene practices among caregivers increased significantly, rising from 2 percent to 53 percent during the pilot phase. The programme also contributed to improved immunization coverage, reduced dropout and vaccine wastage rates, and a decline in diarrheal disease prevalence from 15 percent to 5 percent.
More than 24,000 health workers have been trained under the programme, with periodic refresher training conducted to strengthen service delivery. The initiative promotes practices such as handwashing with soap, safe food and water handling, exclusive breastfeeding, proper sanitation, and completion of immunization within 15 months.
Officials said the programme, which costs approximately Rs 380 per child, has also strengthened the overall health system by improving efficiency and confidence among frontline health workers.
The government has now prioritized a “Transition to Sustainability” strategy aimed at integrating hygiene promotion into the national immunization system, ensuring long-term financing, strengthening monitoring, and expanding digital tools.
The evaluation also recommends continued focus on behaviour change, improved capacity of health workers, availability of essential materials, and stronger coordination to sustain gains achieved so far.
