Poverty is not primary a socio-economic issue and must rather be seen as a multidimensional phenomenon, which is related with the detention of basic human rights, including health. Since the WHO definition of health came into force in 1948, the global state of health has been changing. At this time, acute diseases and terminal chronic diseases were the major issues. Adding nutrition, hygiene and sanitation status to the measurement of public health are recent accomplishments. In Nepal, one of the poorest countries in Southern Asia, health plays an essential role. The poors access to health care is limited, they are more vulnerable to personal and environmental health risks, more likely to suffer from malnutrition, and lack information about health. This master thesis deals with the impacts of a participatory rural health development program implemented by the Austrian-Nepalese organization EcoHimal in the two Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Pawai and Bakhachol. These two VDCs are located in Solukhumbu and Khotang district of eastern Nepal, situated in the Middle Hills at an altitude of 945m to 2700m. A qualitative research, based on the problem-oriented method of interviewing, has been applied for evaluation. This allowed a direct interpretation of the data generated through interviews and participating observations in the field. In total, 22 interviews have been transcribed and interpreted. The analysis of data, backed by participating observations, indicated that the program was successful in consideration of the program objectives. However, the results suggested, that there is still scope for improvement, for example in terms of waste management. Furthermore my results opened a prospect on future chances and recommendations for similar programs in the field of rural development, involving cultural, political, institutional and local aspects.Key words: Nepal, health care, rural development, evaluation |