Nepal Zinc Case Study

This case study of the zinc scale up program in Nepal covers activities undertaken with USAID funding.  In 2004, the director of Nepal’s Child Health Division worked with UNICEF and John Snow International to seek funding for a zinc program.  In late 2005, pilot projects of zinc therapy were conducted by teh Nepal Family Health Project (NFHP) and the Social Marketing for Diarrhea Management (POUZN) project in 75 districts.

In the public sector, USAID and UNICEF helped provide supplies, training, and technical assistance to distribute zinc through the NFHP program.  In the private sector, POUZN supported local manufacturers, trained healthcare providers, and carried out national media campaigns.  Both the public and private sector had different media campaigns to promote zinc and ORS nationally.

Overall, the programs were marked by a slow uptake that did not reach high levels of coverage, but success was achieved with the overall national interest and supportive political policies that were established. To achieve wider coverage more quickly, this report recommends renewed commitment from leadership, a focus on end users, and extended marketing for zinc.