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The Strengthening Maternal and Newborn Health Services (SMNHS) Project is being implemented in Siraha District by HOPE Foundation Nepal, in partnership with One Heart Worldwide (OHW) and local governments.

Background:

Strengthening Maternal and Newborn Health services in partnership with Local Government (SMNHS- 2022-27) is the flagship program supported by One Heart Worldwide to strengthen local health system in Madhesh and Karnali Province of Nepal.  The program is built under One Heart World Wide’s “Network of Safety Model”.  This model has left bright footprint in promoting maternal health saving lives and increasing quality of Maternal Health in course of its implementation in over twenty-three (23) district of Nepal. The program is being currently operational in twelve (12) district of Nepal. In Siraha District, the project has been implemented since January 2025 in partnership with HOPE Foundation Nepal, Lahan, Siraha.

The Network of Safety model engages local stakeholders to identify and address critical gaps in MNH service delivery, ensuring that every pregnant woman and newborn can access quality care from a trained service provider.

This model operates side-by-side with the Government of Nepal, Local communities and service providers.  Grounded in active community engagement and respect for the local culture it priorities wellbeing of pregnant women, capacity building of stakeholders and skill enhancement of health service providers.

Program Approach and Principles:

1. Locally lead MNH gap assessment
2. Program implementation lead by local government; Palika, Health Facility and community units
3. Linkages with provincial and federal MNH service: CEONC- Hospitals, Training centers and others
4. Cost sharing for ownership and sustainability

Program Objective

1. Strengthen local health system through capacity building of local government health management committee
2. Support increase demand and supply of Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) services
3. Increase capacity of MNH service providers
4. Strengthen quality of Maternal and Newborn health care services
5. Collaborate with stakeholders across local, provincial and federal government through research, monitoring and learning.

Major Program Activities

Palika level

1. Supporting local government to identify, analyses and realize existing gaps in MNH service
2. Health planning and Budgeting at local level
3. Technical support for health related policy formulation, annual health reviews and implementation of MNH activities.
4. Support MNH service expansion and reach; RoUSG, SNCU, Emergency Readiness, and health governance and accountability promotion
5. Tracking, review and MNH gap based communication along with stakeholders

Health facility level

1. Health Facility Operation and Management committee capacity building training and HFOMC monthly meeting follow up
2. Minimum Service Standard (MSS) review, follow up and action plan implementation support
3. Simulation Based Onsite Coaching and Mentoring for MNH service providers
4.  Capacity building of health workers on Birth Preparedness Package, Long term Clinical trainings; Skill Health Personnel (SBA/SHP) Training, long term Family planning training

Community level 

1. Expansion and review of Birth Preparedness Package through refresher training to FCHVs and Health workers
2. Interaction with Pregnant women (PWs), recently delivered women (RDWs), health mothers group and families
3. Community health score board (CHSB/SATH) to address MNH Gaps
4. Community perception collection, analysis and sharing
5. School Health program
6. MNH health awareness through IEC, BCC and Radio Programs