A Service Oriented Organization
Having understood the seriousness of cardiovascular diseases and the impact throughout the country, a group of professionals initiated a noble venture to establish Nepal Heart Foundation (NHF) in the non-governmental sector in 2045 BS (1988 AD). It is registered at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu with the aim to work in the areas of prevention, control and treatment of heart diseases and rehabilitation then after. The Foundation is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council, Nepal. The NHF is a member of the World Heart Federation and Asia Pacific Heart Network.
NHF’s objective is to act as a service oriented organization in prevention of heart diseases and to ensure better life, free of heart diseases. In this regard, the NHF has been broadly emphasizing its action focused on the following:
- Developing a platform to mobilize combined efforts of stakeholders to lead to a national campaign to prevent heart disease targeted towards high risk groups.
- Extending partnership with the like-minded institutions and individuals to upkeep mass awareness on heart related matters, including other non-communicable diseases (NCD). In this regard, NHF has been implementing its targeted campaigns, education programs, orientation, skill enhancement trainings, adoption of heart friendly lifestyle and providing technical and financial support to the needy patients for their treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Offering services, advices and necessary support to the Government and related organizations in policy and strategic matters including development of curriculum related to heart and NCDs in the school level text books and other forms of formal and informal education.
- Carrying out methodological research in related fields and develop NHF as a specialized resource center.
- Disseminating awareness building information through print and electronic materials.
- Providing heart care initiatives to the disadvantaged and underserved people.
- Mobilizing civil service organizations, community based organizations, media and private sector and individuals optimally for the cause of preventing people from heart diseases.
Scope, Governing Structure and Membership
Adopting inclusive approach, being gender sensitive and targeting the people in need, the NHF is physically represented throughout the country with its central committee in the capital city Kathmandu, Province (state) coordination committees in all seven provinces and district branches in almost all 77 districts of Nepal. The Center and the district level branches are managed by the executive committees that are elected by the respective general body every three years. The Executive Committee is mandated to meet at least four times a year. Respective secretariats run the day to day functions at both central and district levels. A Coordinator for each of the seven States (Pradesh) is appointed from among the Central Committee members/advisors of the NHF to facilitate, coordinate, supervise and oversee the functions of the district level establishments.
There are altogether, 10000 (as of Jan 2024) active members from different walks of life in the NHF, who have been undertaking several effective programs for heart disease prevention at the national and local level. The membership number indicates tremendous potentiality of Human Resources.
NHF’s well-equipped Heart Clinics are operational in Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Banepa.
NHF had pioneered the concept and played a crucial role in establishing ‘Nepal Heart Net’, which availed a common platform for 18 Government and non-Government institutions to mutually deal with all aspects of Heart diseases.
The expenditure from the NHF fund is based on approved norms and standards and its books of account are audited annually. Transparency is maintained. Books of records are open to all members.