Urban community health volunteers

An evaluation was made of the effectiveness of an urban community health volunteer programme in Pokhara, Nepal, in sensitizing and motivating people for the improvement of health knowledge and skills and the use of services. Despite weaknesses and inadequate management support, there has been a sharp increase in coverage by the health services. If management support were properly developed the programme could undoubtedly play a vital role in raising health standards. It was clearly demonstrated that the utilization of services can be increased if access to them is improved.