December 09 2005

Being a regular reader of Spotlight, I noticed that the cover story this issue "FEMALE COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEERS (FCHVs): Saviors Of Women And Children" (SPOTLIGHT December 2) is the same issue that had been covered a few months back. In fact, many of the figures, quotes, and anecdotes also seem to be the same as before. While the issue that you have raised is a very good one, it is wise not to repeat the same issue with the same angle within such a short span of time.

Gautam Shrestha
Kalimati

Informative Story

The cover story this issue explained the roles of the female community health volunteers in the society very well "FEMALE COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEERS (FCHVs): Saviors Of Women And Children" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). There has been a huge transformation in the lives of the rural people since the introduction of this program. The people from remote areas who do not have easy access to the hospitals or health posts are getting modern medical care at their villages. In fact, as you have written, the introduction of this program has helped to reduce the infant mortality and maternal the mortality rate by a large fraction. It is very commendable that you covered such issues of development which are overshadowed by the political news in the mainstream media.

Anita Jha
Sanepa

Train More People

While it is true that the female community health workers have been a very effective tool to improve the health situation of the people of the rural area of this country, it is also true that the number of female health volunteers is still insufficient in some areas "FEMALE COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEERS (FCHVs): Saviors Of Women And Children" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). In that context, the government and the non-governmental organizations should think about training more people to make them community health volunteers.

Rudra Banjade
Naya Bazar

Congratulations! Mr. Shrestha

The fact that Time Magazine recognised a Nepali public health expert Ram Kumar Shrestha, as 'Vitamin Sherpa' in Global Health 2005, is a matter of pride for all Nepalese and a source of inspiration for all venturing into some noble deeds "We Can Contribute To The World By Working Within Nepal" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). I would like to thank Spotlight Magazine for covering his interview. We should encourage such people by giving due respect and media coverage.

Jeewan Sharma
Tripureshwore

People Should Be Trained

The story on rural tourism was well written "RURAL TOURISM: Future Prospects" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). It gave an introduction of a new trail in Rasuwa that has the prospects of being developed as a major trekking trail. For tourism to be developed in such areas, I think the local people should be trained for hospitality management. It is in the hands of the local people that the trekking trail can be promoted.

Anshu Tamang
Chhetrapati

Encourage Artists

I am a great fan of JB Tuhure and would like to thank you for featuring his profile this issue "JB TUHURE: On Different Track" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). He is one person who has struggled all his life for singing the pro-people songs. People know him and respect him for this image. However, considering his contribution to the nation, the state, social organizations and the media should revere him and encourage him to continue singing the songs of his kind.

Nabin Dahal
Pokhara

Condemnable Act

The government's attack against Radio Sagarmatha is condemnable "SAGARMATHA SHUTDOWN: Attack Against Media" (SPOTLIGHT December 2). The government has acted in a very irresponsible way by confiscating and shutting down the station for trying to uplink the transmission of BBC Radio, which it had been doing since the past many years. The government that claims that it is committed to protect the rights to information of the people should not have acted in such irresponsible way.