Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System

This research study explores the readiness, strengths, and challenges of the district health system and local bodies during Nepal’s COVID-19 vaccination program. The primary aim of this study is to identify gaps in the current health system and provide actionable insights for the effective implement...

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Main Authors: Aashma Dahal, Neeti Bhat, Bishal Poudel, Safal Poudel, Roshan Shrestha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:COVID
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/2/18
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author Aashma Dahal
Neeti Bhat
Bishal Poudel
Safal Poudel
Roshan Shrestha
author_facet Aashma Dahal
Neeti Bhat
Bishal Poudel
Safal Poudel
Roshan Shrestha
author_sort Aashma Dahal
collection DOAJ
description This research study explores the readiness, strengths, and challenges of the district health system and local bodies during Nepal’s COVID-19 vaccination program. The primary aim of this study is to identify gaps in the current health system and provide actionable insights for the effective implementation and management of large-scale health programs in the future. A qualitative approach was employed, gathering perspectives of key stakeholders through twelve key informant interviews of stakeholders involved in the planning, management, and execution of the vaccination program in Makwanpur district, the district with the administrative headquarters of Bagmati Province. The study was conducted in the context of Nepal’s transitioning health system following federalization. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the VIRAT2.0 framework for vaccine readiness provided by the WHO. Seven domains from the framework were used to assess readiness and challenges faced by the newly formed health system. The challenges identified by key informants included insufficient logistics and supply chain management, poor coordination between local and higher levels of government, limited awareness about vaccination among the public, vaccine hesitancy, and lack of a robust system for data management and reporting. These findings highlight critical areas for improvement and can be useful evidence to inform the design and implementation of future health programs and policies.
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spelling doaj-art-db287e7d5aaa4ab79987b3dbe3444dd42025-08-20T03:12:18ZengMDPI AGCOVID2673-81122025-01-01521810.3390/covid5020018Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health SystemAashma Dahal0Neeti Bhat1Bishal Poudel2Safal Poudel3Roshan Shrestha4Department of Public Health, Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, Hetauda 44107, NepalResearch Institute for Collaborative Development, Bhaktapur 44800, NepalDepartment of Public Health, Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, Hetauda 44107, NepalDepartment of Public Health, Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, Hetauda 44107, NepalDepartment of Public Health, Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, Hetauda 44107, NepalThis research study explores the readiness, strengths, and challenges of the district health system and local bodies during Nepal’s COVID-19 vaccination program. The primary aim of this study is to identify gaps in the current health system and provide actionable insights for the effective implementation and management of large-scale health programs in the future. A qualitative approach was employed, gathering perspectives of key stakeholders through twelve key informant interviews of stakeholders involved in the planning, management, and execution of the vaccination program in Makwanpur district, the district with the administrative headquarters of Bagmati Province. The study was conducted in the context of Nepal’s transitioning health system following federalization. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the VIRAT2.0 framework for vaccine readiness provided by the WHO. Seven domains from the framework were used to assess readiness and challenges faced by the newly formed health system. The challenges identified by key informants included insufficient logistics and supply chain management, poor coordination between local and higher levels of government, limited awareness about vaccination among the public, vaccine hesitancy, and lack of a robust system for data management and reporting. These findings highlight critical areas for improvement and can be useful evidence to inform the design and implementation of future health programs and policies.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/2/18vaccination programCOVID-19 vaccinationvaccination in NepalCOVID-19 in Nepalvaccination implementation and management
spellingShingle Aashma Dahal
Neeti Bhat
Bishal Poudel
Safal Poudel
Roshan Shrestha
Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
COVID
vaccination program
COVID-19 vaccination
vaccination in Nepal
COVID-19 in Nepal
vaccination implementation and management
title Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
title_full Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
title_fullStr Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
title_full_unstemmed Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
title_short Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination in Makwanpur District of Nepal: Readiness and Challenges of a Restructured Health System
title_sort implementation of covid 19 vaccination in makwanpur district of nepal readiness and challenges of a restructured health system
topic vaccination program
COVID-19 vaccination
vaccination in Nepal
COVID-19 in Nepal
vaccination implementation and management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/2/18
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