Nepal officially Adopts SORMAS for National Community-Based Disease Surveillance

The past month, the Health Minister of Nepal, Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam, launched the national Community-Based Disease Surveillance System, along with a new directive that formally includes community members, from Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) to elected representatives, as key informants in detecting and reporting public health threats.

This approach responds to the increasing climate change-related risks and emerging infectious diseases resulting in recent outbreaks of cholera, dengue, scrub typhus, and Japanese Encephalitis, where communities observed early warning signs but lacked clear reporting channels.

The ministry officially adopted SORMAS for the reporting of unexpected events and outbreak data. This data, combined with the national routine disease reporting, creates a monitoring network at federal, provincial, and local levels.

By using SORMAS for community reporting, Nepal is enabling faster alerts, quicker response, and better coordination across all levels.

Learn more at: https://thehimalayantimes.com/health/nepal-launches-community-disease-surveillance-system-to-catch-outbreaks-early