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through DOTS (Direct Observation Treatement Short-course). These days, National
Tuberculosis Centre has been established in Nepal. The major functions of NATA are as
follows:
i. surveys an early diagnosis of tuberculosis patients
ii. provides diagnostic and treatment services
iii. makes people conscious of the menace of tuberculosis through education and
demonstration
iv. provides B.C.G. vaccination and rehabilitation of ex-patients
v. health education, media publicity and publication of literature for the control of
tuberculosis
In addition to these organizations, different organizations like WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA,
Rotary Club, Lion Club, etc. are also involved to provide community health. These
organizations also conduct different programmes at national and regional level to solve
the problems of community health.

Activity: 2

Discuss in a group of five students about the different types of social organizations
active in your society along with their functions.

9.3 Major Health Problems of Nepal

Nepal is a developing country with poor economy, lack of infrastructures of development,
limited number of doctors, hospital, clinics, health workers and maximum health
problems. The rapid population growth is also a cause of health problems in Nepal. The
health problems exist in every part of the country, only the level differs from community
to community. Some major health problems of Nepal are described below:

a. Prevalence of Communicable Diseases
Those diseases which are transmitted from one person to another are known as
communicable diseases. They get transmitted from one person to another by means
of contaminated food, water, air and insects. Due to illiteracy, ignorance and traditional
thinking of people, infectious diseases are still prevalent in our societies. Every year many
people suffer from communicable diseases in Nepal and they die due to lack of medical
facilities and awareness. The diseases like HIV/AIDS, TB, syphilis, leprosy, etc. are kept
hidden by the people due to the fear of social humiliation. As a result, they are transmitted
from on person to another. This also makes the diseases prevalent in our societies.

b. Lack of Health Education

Many people in Nepal are still illiterate. They lack knowledge about balanced diet,
personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and medical treatment. This shows that
Nepalese are weak in health education. Due to lack of health education, they believe in
traditional health practices and superstitions. They think that the diseases are caused due
to the cursing of gods and goddess. They go to the witch doctors for the treatment of
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