Infant Care Facility Improvement Project

ICRI-Nepal, through its NCPD initiative, began working in 2002 with NCO/Balmandir to enhance care for infants aged 0-6 years. The project focused on improving physical care facilities and the quality of care.

A major challenge was the caregivers' lack of ability to meet infants' emotional and physical needs, resulting in health issues, developmental delays, and, in extreme cases, death. To address this, ICRI-Nepal implemented physical improvements in orphanages from 2004-2008 and introduced training for caregivers, emphasizing the importance of stimulation and interaction for infant development.

Collaborating with the central orphanage, ICRI-Nepal worked towards creating a nurturing environment conducive to healthy child development. However, challenges like inadequate medical screenings, inconsistent medication administration, and poor sterilization practices persisted, compounded by management issues like lack of training and high staff ratios in administration versus childcare.

Established in 1964, the central orphanage has faced declining reputation due to various administrative and management challenges. Despite being a large institution with significant resources, it needed more transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

2005-2007, under the "Infant Care Facility Improvement Project," ICRI-Nepal focused on essential groundwork like building relationships, introducing childcare and education elements, and improving caregiver training and facilities. This involved upgrading infrastructure sanitation and creating infant-friendly environments.

Remarkable improvements were observed in caregivers' knowledge and skills, facility conditions, and the overall care environment. The project's success is also indicated by requests to expand these improvements to other regions, demonstrating the approach's effectiveness. ICRI-Nepal aims to institutionalize and document these strategies for broader application.