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Prof. Dr. Abhinav Vaidya

Prof. Dr. Abhinav Vaidya, MD PhD is currently the Member Secretary of Nepal Public Health Foundation. He is Professor of Community Medicine at Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal. He is a member of the International Society of Hypertension, and a life member of World NCDs Federation. He is Vice-President of the Nepal NCD Alliance and a Governing Board Member of the Southeast Asia Region NCD Alliance. He holds Bachelor’s degree in medicine from Bangladesh (2000), MD in Community Medicine from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Nepal (2006), and PhD in Medical Sciences from Gothenburg University, Sweden (2014).

He is a leading academician, researcher, and policy-influencer on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nepal.  He contributed to Nepal’s Multisectoral Action Plan for prevention and control of NCDs, WHO STEPs surveys in Nepal, and NCD PEN Package implementation. He has published more than 70+ peer-reviewed papers. He also enjoys writing on cardiovascular health for the public.

Selected Publications:

  • Sharma S, Matheson A, Lambrick D, Faulkner J, Lounsbury DW, Vaidya A, Page R. Dietary practices, physical activity and social determinants of non-communicable diseases in Nepal: A systemic analysis. PLoS One. 2023 Feb 6;18(2):e0281355.
  • Koirala B, Adhikari SR, Shrestha A, Vaidya A, Aryal KK, Kalaunee SP, et al. A National Equity Initiative to Address Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries: Findings and Recommendation from the Nepal NCDI Poverty Commission. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2022 Jul-Sep;20(79):376-383. PMID: 37042383.
  • Oli N, Pradhan PM, Sagtani RA, Shrestha A, Jaacks LM, Karmacharya BM, Danaei G, Vaidya A. Research Capacity for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and their Risk Factors in Nepal: Findings of a Needs Assessment Study. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2022 Apr-Jun;20(78):147-154. PMID: 37017157.
  • Bhandari B, Narasimhan P, Jayasuriya R, Vaidya A, Schutte AE. Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Mobile Phone Text Messaging Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control (TEXT4BP) among Patients with Hypertension in Nepal: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. Glob Heart. 2022 Feb 23;17(1):13. doi: 10.5334/gh.1103. PMID: 35342691; PMCID: PMC8877709.
  • Kafle S, Vaidya A, Pradhan B, Jørs E, Onta S. Factors Associated with Practice of Chemical Pesticide Use and Acute Poisoning Experienced by Farmers in Chitwan District, Nepal. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2021,18, 4194.
  • Thapa R, Subedi RK, Regmi G, Thapaliya R, Vaidya A, Karki BB. Self-Reported Changes in Risk Behaviours of Cardiovascular Diseases among School Adolescents in Nepal: Application of an Integrated Experiential Learning Approach. Global Heart. 2020; 15(1): 40.
  • Vaidya A, Oli N, Eiben G, Krettek A. The Heart-health Associated Research, Dissemination and Intervention in the Community (HARDIC) Trial for Nepalese Mothers regarding Diet and Physical Activity: A Process Evaluation. Kathmandu Univ Med J 2017;58(2):107-16.
  • Vaidya A, Gyenwali D, Tiwari S, Pande BR, Jørs E. Changes in Perceptions and Practices of Farmers and Pesticide Retailers on Safer Pesticide Use and Alternatives: Impacts of a Community Intervention in Chitwan, Nepal. Environmental Health Insights 2017:11 1178630217719270.
  • Vaidya A, Aryal UR, Krettek A. Cardiovascular health knowledge, attitude, and practice/behaviour in an urbanizing community of Nepal: a population-based cross-sectional study from Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site. BMJ Open 2013; 3: e002976.

Prof. Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit

Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit is a biomedical research scientist working in the public health sector of Nepal, focusing on infectious diseases. His postgraduate and Doctorate degrees are in Immunology and Recombinant DNA technology from Australia. His experience in public health research is over 15 years and over 20 years in basic/applied science.  He has been actively involved in various forms of academic and programmatic research of public health importance- usually as Team Leader/ Principle Investigator.  His work experience has allowed him to develop working relationships with various national and international organizations. His strength is in planning and implementing field and laboratory based (biomedical) research in infectious diseases of public health importance in developing countries.

Recent publications

  1. Sakas Z, Hester KA, Ellis A,..Dixit SM.. et al., Critical success factors for high routine immunisation performance: a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups from Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia. BMJ Open 2023;13:e070541. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070541
  2. Bednarczyk RA, Hester KA, Dixit SM, et al., Exemplars in vaccine delivery protocol: a case-study-based identification and evaluation of critical factors in achieving high and sustained childhood immunisation coverage in selected low-income and lower-middle-income countries. BMJ Open 2022;12:e058321. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058321
  3. Hester, K.A.; Sakas, Z.; Ellis, A.S.; Bose, A.S.; Darwar, R.; Gautam, J.; Jaishwal, C.; James, H.; Keskinocak, P.; Nazzal, D.; et al. Critical Success Factors for High Routine Immunization Performance: A Case Study of Nepal. Vaccine X 2022, 12, 100214.
  4. Manandhar S.,..Dixit SM., et al. Risk factors for the development of neonatal sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital of Nepal. 2021. BMC Infectious Diseases      (2021) 21:546 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06261-x
  5. Dixit SM, Sarr M, Gueye DM, et al., Addressing disruptions in childhood routine immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from Nepal, Senegal and Liberia. BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e005031.
  6. Hogan, S, McBride, K, Page, & Dixit, SM. Hepatitis B prevalence in the Indian Subcontinent: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol 50(1), 10.1093/ije/dyab168.282.
  7. Hogan, S., Page, A., Ogbo, F., Dixit, S.M., et al. Trends and determinants of HIV transmission among men who inject drugs in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal: analysis of cross-sectional studies. BMC Public Health 21, 269 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10331-9
  8. Schwind, J.S.; Norman, S.A.; Rahman, M.K.; Richmond, H.L.; Dixit, S.M.; Rajbhandari, R.M.; Wagner, S.K.; Karmacharya, D. Health Reporting Characteristics among Journalists in Nepal Utilizing a One Health Framework. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2784. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ijerph18052784
  9. Luxton JJ, McKenna MJ, Lewin A Dixit SM.. et. al. Telomere Length Dynamics and DNA Damage Responses Associated with Long- Duration Spaceflight.2020. Cell Reports 33(10):108457
  10. KC S, Murphy H, Dixit SM, et al. Hepatitis C (HCV) therapy for HCV mono-infected and HIV-HCV co-infected individuals living in Nepal. 2020. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(12):e0008931

Dr. Mahesh Kumar Maskey

Dr. Mahesh Kumar Maskey is a prominent public health expert. He is the Founding chair and executive chief of Nepal Public Health Foundation. His focus and expertise includes perinatal epidemiology, health policy and planning, health systems research and the generation of evidence for health policy formulation on a national and international level. He was a member of Advisory Council for Health Research of World Health Organization South East Asia Region. Between 2006 and 2009, he was the Executive Chair to the Nepal Health Research Council, Government of Nepal. During this time, he was also Advisor to the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Mr. Amik Serchan, Chair of High level Health Policy Advisory Committee of Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal, and Chair of the South Asian Forum for Health Research. He is a published author and had presented papers in many regional and international conferences. During 2007 to 2010, he contributed in the drafting of Three year interim health plan of Government of Nepal. In 2006, he designed targeted free health care services in district hospitals and primary health care centres, and Universal free health care services in sub health post and health post level in Nepal. He has also been chair of High Level Health Policy Advisory Committee, Ministry of Health where he had to coordinate the panel of distinguished health policy experts for policy feedback to MoH. He has also been a teaching assistant in Epidemiology and Bio statistics, Boston University, USA, in 1997 to 2000. During 1987, he was Assistant Professor in Institute of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Family Health. He has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to People’s Republic of China (2012- 2016).

Work Experiences:

  • Executive Chair, Nepal Health Research Council, Government of Nepal, Nepal 2006-2009
  • Chief Advisor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Nepal, Mr. Amik Serchan (2006-2007).
  • Chair, South Asian Forum for Health Research, Nepal, 2007-2009
  • Member of Advisory Committee for Health Research (ACHR), WHO, SEARO (2007-9)
  • Executive Vice Chair, New Health Policy Drafting Committee, Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal, 2017

Doctoral Thesis: Preventable Risk Factors of Perinatal Mortality in Nepal, Boston University School of Public Health, USA.

Special area of Interest: Perinatal epidemiology, community-based health system, community engagement with particular focus on maternal and child health.

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION: Developed Motherhood Method for measuring maternal, perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality in developing countries based on Doctoral Thesis research on “Preventable Factors of Perinatal Mortality in Nepal”.

AWARD:

  1. Distinguished Alumni Award: Boston University, MA, USA, 2017
  2. Distinguished Alumni Award: School of Public Health, Boston University, MA, USA, 2014

REASEARCH:

  1. Principle Investigator: National study in Burden of Disease in Nepal, Nepal Health
    Research Council, Kathmandu Nepal. 2008-9
  2. Principle Investigator (2011-2012): overcoming barriers for skill birth attendents,
    Nepal. Funded by WHO, Geneva.
  3. Co-PI, Exemplars in Under-5 Mortality: Nepal Case Study funded by Gates Ventures and
    the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 2018.
  4. Co-PI, Exemplar in Stunting reduction, Nepal, Sick Kids, Canada, funded by BGC3. 2017-2018
  5. Co-PI, Exemplar in Under-five mortality reduction, Nepal, partner University of Global Health
  6. Equity, Rwanda and funded by BGC3. 2018.

Policy Developments

  1. Contributed in drafting National Health Policy of Government of Nepal emphasizing MCH, NCD and mental health care
  2. Designed Targeted free health care service in district hospitals and primary health care centers and universal free health care services in sub health post and health post level, Nepal

Prof. Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit

Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit is a biomedical research scientist working in the public health sector of Nepal, focusing on infectious diseases. His postgraduate and Doctorate degrees are in Immunology and Recombinant DNA technology from Australia. His experience in public health research is over 15 years and over 20 years in basic/applied science.  He has been actively involved in various forms of academic and programmatic research of public health importance- usually as Team Leader/ Principle Investigator.  His work experience has allowed him to develop working relationships with various national and international organizations. His strength is in planning and implementing field and laboratory based (biomedical) research in infectious diseases of public health importance in developing countries.

Recent publications

  1. Sakas Z, Hester KA, Ellis A,..Dixit SM.. et al., Critical success factors for high routine immunisation performance: a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups from Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia. BMJ Open 2023;13:e070541. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070541
  2. Bednarczyk RA, Hester KA, Dixit SM, et al., Exemplars in vaccine delivery protocol: a case-study-based identification and evaluation of critical factors in achieving high and sustained childhood immunisation coverage in selected low-income and lower-middle-income countries. BMJ Open 2022;12:e058321. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058321
  3. Hester, K.A.; Sakas, Z.; Ellis, A.S.; Bose, A.S.; Darwar, R.; Gautam, J.; Jaishwal, C.; James, H.; Keskinocak, P.; Nazzal, D.; et al. Critical Success Factors for High Routine Immunization Performance: A Case Study of Nepal. Vaccine X 2022, 12, 100214.
  4. Manandhar S.,..Dixit SM., et al. Risk factors for the development of neonatal sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital of Nepal. 2021. BMC Infectious Diseases      (2021) 21:546 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06261-x
  5. Dixit SM, Sarr M, Gueye DM, et al., Addressing disruptions in childhood routine immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from Nepal, Senegal and Liberia. BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e005031.
  6. Hogan, S, McBride, K, Page, & Dixit, SM. Hepatitis B prevalence in the Indian Subcontinent: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol 50(1), 10.1093/ije/dyab168.282.
  7. Hogan, S., Page, A., Ogbo, F., Dixit, S.M., et al. Trends and determinants of HIV transmission among men who inject drugs in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal: analysis of cross-sectional studies. BMC Public Health 21, 269 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10331-9
  8. Schwind, J.S.; Norman, S.A.; Rahman, M.K.; Richmond, H.L.; Dixit, S.M.; Rajbhandari, R.M.; Wagner, S.K.; Karmacharya, D. Health Reporting Characteristics among Journalists in Nepal Utilizing a One Health Framework. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2784. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ijerph18052784
  9. Luxton JJ, McKenna MJ, Lewin A Dixit SM.. et. al. Telomere Length Dynamics and DNA Damage Responses Associated with Long- Duration Spaceflight.2020. Cell Reports 33(10):108457
  10. KC S, Murphy H, Dixit SM, et al. Hepatitis C (HCV) therapy for HCV mono-infected and HIV-HCV co-infected individuals living in Nepal. 2020. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(12):e0008931

Dr. Abhilasha Karkey

Dr Abhilasha Karkey, an Associate Professor of Oxford University and Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal (OUCRUNP), is a medical microbiologist and has worked with OUCRUNP since 2008. She has a DPhil from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Medical Microbiology from the University of Liverpool. Dr. Karkey has over a decade of experience working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) often in very difficult conflict areas. Through OUCRUNP, she utilizes her expertise and experience in helping to build a strong and critical scientific community in Nepal. Dr. Karkey’s current research focuses on antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter spp) with a specific focus on the enteric pathogens Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A. She leads research studies focusing on the surveillance of resistant pathogens and works in close collaboration with hospitals to devise appropriate antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention-control (IPC) programs.

Publications:

  1. Empagliflozin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial
  2. Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: Insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Salmonella Typhi genomes
  3. Clinical and laboratory factors associated with neonatal sepsis mortality at a major Vietnamese children’s hospital
  4. ACORN (A Clinically-Oriented Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network) II: protocol for case based antimicrobial resistance surveillance
  5. Direct inference and control of genetic population structure from RNA sequencing data
  6. The identification of enteric fever-specific antigens for population based serosurveillance
  7. Higher dose corticosteroids in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 who are hypoxic but not requiring ventilatory support (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial
  8. Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: Insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Salmonella Typhi genomes
  9. Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance transmission of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A at three urban sites in Africa and Asia
  10. Perspectives of pharmacy employees on an inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Kathmandu, Nepal
  11. Use of antimicrobials during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study among stakeholders in Nepal