SCHOOL HEART SCREENING PROGRAM, Gandaki Province, Nepal

Between 24 and 28 May 2026, Nepal Heart Foundation conducted heart screening activities across multiple municipalities of Gandaki Province.

On 25 May, screenings were conducted in Rupa and Machhapuchhre Rural Municipalities, where 1,659 students from 16 schools were screened. Eighteen children were identified with heart conditions, including 2 cases of Rheumatic Heart Disease and 16 cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Two children required referral for further evaluation.

On 26 May, screenings were carried out in Annapurna Rural Municipality, reaching 3,103 students from 25 schools. Twenty-eight children were identified with heart conditions, including 9 cases of Rheumatic Heart Disease and 19 cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Three children were referred for further evaluation and management.

On 27 May, screening activities were conducted in Pokhara Metropolitan City, where 5,225 students from 8 schools were screened. Forty children were identified with heart conditions, including 6 cases of Rheumatic Heart Disease and 34 cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Three children required referral for specialized assessment.

On 28 May, a separate school screening activity supported through Standard Chartered Bank’s CSR initiative was conducted in five schools. A total of 2,042 students were screened, and 205 students underwent echocardiography assessment. Seven children were diagnosed with heart conditions, including one case of Rheumatic Heart Disease and six cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Two children required referral to tertiary-level hospitals for further evaluation and treatment.

The program successfully screened a total of 12,029 students from 54 schools across Gandaki Province.

A total of 93 children were identified with heart conditions requiring medical follow-up and monitoring. Among these, 18 children were diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and 75 children were diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

Furthermore, 10 children were referred to specialized healthcare facilities and tertiary hospitals for comprehensive evaluation and advanced treatment services.

The Standard Chartered Bank-supported initiative screened an additional 2,042 students from five schools, with echocardiography testing of 205 students, identifying seven children with heart conditions, including one RHD and six CHD cases, and facilitating two referrals to tertiary hospitals.