Archives: Team

Dr. Pradip Gyanwali is a well-known name in the field of Nepali Health Research. Dr. Gyawali had devoted his research contribution on the Herbal Medicinal Plants. Dr. Gyawali holds MBBS degree from Institute of Medicine (IOM), Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal and MD in Clinical Pharmacology Institute of Medicine (IOM), Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal. He is committed for the registry of Nepal:  Nepalese Medicinal Plants Registry (NMPR) and Medicinal Cannabis Research in Nepal. Dr. Gyawali had devoted his research contribution on the Herbal Medicinal Plants. On behalf of NHRC, extensive research on Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine research in Nepal has been conducted. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of health research.  He has made significant contributions to the understanding and advancement of health in Nepal. He has authored more than 100 research papers in various national and international journals. Dr. Gyanwali has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in the field of health research. He has been awarded the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Award, and the Nepal Academy of Medical Sciences Award. Contribution, he was awarded by Government of Nepal on Health Emergency Preparement on COVID-19.

Major Publications: 

1. Poudyal, A., M. Dhimal, R. prasad Rimal, L. prasad Rimal, N. Dhakal, A. Pandey, and P. Gyanwali. “A Comparative Study on the Recording of Temperature by Thermo- Graphic Camera, Thermal Gun and Digital Clinical Thermometer in a Tertiary Hospital of Nepal”. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, Vol. 19, no. 03, Dec. 2021, pp. 608-12, doi:10.33314/jnhrc.v19i3.3511
2. Poudyal A, Bista B, Gyanwali P, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with joint pain in Nepal: findings from a countrywide cross-sectional STEPS survey. BMJ Open. 2021;11(10):e051536. Published 2021 Oct 6. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051536
3. RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Colchicine in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2021 Oct 18:S2213-2600(21)00435-5. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00435-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34672950; PMCID: PMC8523117.
4. RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Aspirin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. Lancet. 2021 Nov 17:S0140- 6736(21)01825-0. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01825-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34800427; PMCID: PMC8598213.
5. GBD 2019 Stroke Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20(10):795-820. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00252-0
6. Janak Koirala, Pradip Gyanwali, Robert B Gerzoff, Saroj Bhattarai, Bipin Nepal, Rekha Manandhar, Runa Jha, Sanjib Sharma, Yuba Raj Sharma, Anup Bastola, Holly Murphy, Subhash Acharya, Prabhat Adhikari, Manita Rajkarnikari, Karishma M Vaidya, Chhabi L Panthi, Bihungum Bista, Grishma Giri, Shambhu Aryal, Suman Pant, Akritee Pokharel, Shristi Karki, Sangita Basnet, Bhagawan Koirala, Meghnath Dhimal, Nepal COVID-19 Clinical Study Collaborators, Experience of Treating COVID-19 With Remdesivir and Convalescent Plasma in a Resource-Limited Setting: A Prospective, Observational Study, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2021, ofab391, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofab391
7. Bista B, Dhimal M, Bhattarai S, Neupane T, Xu YY, Pandey AR, et al. (2021) Prevalence of non- communicable diseases risk factors and their determinants: Results from STEPS survey 2019, Nepal. PLoS ONE 16(7): e0253605. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.02536054
8. Dhakal, N., Poudyal, A. ., & Gyanwali, P. (2021). Pharmacological Treatment for the Management of COVID 19: A Narrative Review. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 59(238). https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.5920
9. Gyanwali , P., Bista, N. R., Khadka , M., Vaidya , A., Mahato , N. K., Karn , M. K., Pant , S., Ghimire , N., Pokhrel , A., & Dhimal , M. (2021). Assessment of Preparedness of Government of Nepal in COVID Designated Hospitals and Clinics for Pandemic Response. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 19(1), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v19i1.3237
10. Ghimire, N., Hamal, P. K., Panthee, A., Vaidya, A., Khadka, M., Mahato, N. K., Karn, M. K., Verma, S., Dhimal, M., Ghimire, P., & Gyanwali, P. (2021). Ethical Characteristics of Research Proposals Related to COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal: A Retrospective Review. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 19(1), 148-153. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v19i1.3373

Dr. Sharad Raj Onta, a retired Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, has held various significant positions such as Assistant Dean (Academic) at the Institute of Medicine TU, Executive Vice Chair at the National HIV and STI Control Board under the Ministry of Health and Population, and Member Secretary of the Nepal Health Research Council for the Government of Nepal. Additionally, he serves as a member of the High-Level Policy Advisory Body at the Ministry of Health and Population. His educational background includes an MBBS from Leningrad, Former USSR, an MPH from the UK, and a Ph.D. from Denmark. Dr. Onta has an impressive career history, having served as the President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal (PSRN), an affiliate of the International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), twice a Nobel Peace Prize winner, actively contributing to global peace initiatives. He also serves as the Country Coordinator for the People’s Health Movement in Nepal and is engaged with the Resource Centre for Primary Health Care and the Nepal Public Health Foundation.

Major publications:

1. Variations in prices of common drugs: case study from two remote districts of Nepal Humla and Okhaldhunga
2. A rapid assessment study on health care waste management in Nepal
3. Farming, Health and Environment project to improve the health of farmers and consumers by promoting healthy and sustainable food in Nepal
4. Factors Associated with Late Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer in Nepal
5. Patterns and determinants of essential neonatal care utilization among underprivileged ethnic groups in Midwest Nepal: a mixed method study
6. Estimates of delays in diagnosis of cervical cancer in Nepal
7. KEY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AT TERM IN NEPAL: A CASE CONTROL STUDY
8. Knowledge and Management Practices of Paediatricians about Autism Spectrum Disorder in Kathmandu, Nepal

Dr. Ram Adhar Yadav is the Executive Director of National Ayurveda Research and Training Center (NARTC), Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.  He is a renowned expert of Ayurveda Shalya Tantra in Nepal. He is also a pioneer and promoter expertise in Ksharsutra treatment. He holds M.D. (Shalya), Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, A.P. INDIA and B.A.M.S from Delhi University, Delhi, INDIA, N.D.D.Y. from International Foundation of Natural Health &Yoga, Delhi. He has been involved in many research activities in the field of Ayurveda and in training activities to enhance the skill of Ayurveda manpower. He has also written books in Shalya Tantra. He has been awarded Suprabal Janasewa Shree (Tritiya) Award III by the Government of Nepal, the best Ayurveda Surgeon of Nepal by Ayurveda Medical Development and Research Foundation (AMDRF) and Shikhar Nepal Shikhar Barsa Byatitwa Samman for the year 2022 A.D. He has attended many national and international conferences and presented numerous papers.

Research and Article

• Excellence of Ksharsutra for Management of Fistula in Ano over various treatment available in Modern Surgery; JADAN, a Journal of Ayurvedic Doctors Association of Nepal, June
• Obesity (Sthoulya) – A Scientific Appraisal; Ayurveda – Sambardhan, a magazine published by TUTA, Ayurveda Campus Unit, Oct.
• Management of Hyperlipidemia by Ayurvedic Compound; Ayur-info, Ayurveda Campus, Kirtipur, July
• Principle of Ksharsutra application, JPGADSON (Journal of post Graduate  Ayurveda Doctors’ Society of Nepal, 2010.
• Difficulty encounter in obese patients for the management of Fistula in Ano by Ksharsutra; Ayur-info, Ayurveda Campus, Kirtipur. July
• Management of Fistula in Ano; Medical Darpan 2011.
• Contra-indication of Ksharsutra Application.
• Management of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia by Shilajatwadi Compound
• Management of BPH by indigenous drugs; AYUR VISION, Graduation Issue, Journal of Nepal Ayurveda Medical Students Society, 2011.
• Scientific Approach of Parikartika (Fissure-in Ano) and its management; JADAN, Journal of Ayurveda Doctors Association of Nepal, 2011.

Dr. Divya Singh Shah holds degrees in MBBS, MD, and completed a Fellowship in Nephrology & Transplant Medicine in Australia. Previously, she served as the Professor& Head of the Department of Nephrology at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Currently, she’s the Dean at the Institute of Medicine. She’s a Founder Member of SIMON and the Nepal Society of Nephrology, and she’s also a member of the International Society of Nephrology and The Transplantation Society. Furthermore, she actively contributes to the Nepal Public Health Foundation as a coordination committee member and thematic committee member.

Major publications

1. South Asian Transplant Infectious Disease Guidelines for Solid Organ Transplant Candidates, Recipients, and Donors
2. Disseminated Nocardiosis in renal transplant recipient under therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis: a case report
3. Renal Mucormycosis: Post-COVID-19 Infection Presenting as Unilateral Hydronephrosis in a Young Immunocompetent Male
4. Product of serum calcium and phosphorus (Ca × PO₄) as predictor of cardiovascular disease risk in predialysis patients
5. International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in South Asia
6. The COVID-19 Pandemic Identifies Significant Global Inequities in Hemodialysis Care in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries—An ISN/DOPPS Survey
7. The Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Center Hemodialysis Services: An ISN-Dialysis Outcomes Practice Patterns Study Survey
8. An ISN-DOPPS Survey of the Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Peritoneal Dialysis Services
9. Transplantation in Asia during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic: briefs from member countries of the Asian Society of Transplantation
10. Equity in Transplantation Access in Nepal: An Analysis of Gender, Geographic, and Caste-Based Disparities in Transplants

Dr. Gehanath Baral serves as a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Kathmandu University and holds the position of Coordinator of the Health Science Cluster at the University Grant Commission in Nepal. Additionally, he’s an Ex-officio member of various esteemed institutions such as the Medical Education Commission (MEC), National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), and Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS). His educational background includes an MBBS, DGO, MD from TU, along with fellowships in Gynae-oncology from Seoul, Clinical Research Associate, and Business Administration from Toronto. Dr. Baral’s extensive experience and recognition span across various leadership roles, including President of the Gynecological Oncology Society of Nepal (GOSON), Executive Member of the Nepal Association of Medical Editors (NAME), Chief Editor of the Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NJOG), and Chairman of the Nepal Health Research Council.

Major publications:

1. Maternal Near-Miss: A Multicenter Surveillance in Kathmandu Valley
2. Incidence of intrapartum stillbirth and associated risk factors in tertiary care setting of Nepal: a case-control study
3. Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in Females in 2010–2020: a Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
4. Incidence and Risk Factors of Pre-Eclampsia in the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Nepal: A Retrospective Study
5. In the Nepalese context, can a husband’s attendance during childbirth help his wife feel more in control of labour?
6. Robsons Ten Group Classification of Cesarean Section at a Tertiary Center in Nepal
7. Diagnostic Accuracy of Risk of Malignancy Indices in Ovarian Tumor
8. Thrombotic Pathology in Placenta of COVID Positive Pregnancy
9. E-learning: a Modality of Medical Education in the Period of Crisis

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.

Dr. Madhur Basnet, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, is actively involved in groundbreaking research on collaborative care models for mental health in low-resource settings. With over five years of experience, he is dedicated to integrating mental health into primary care settings in Nepal. Dr. Basnet has done MD(Psychiatry) from B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal,2013 and hold MBBS degree B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan,Nepal,2009. His research interests span community psychiatry, implementation research in mental health, integration of mental health in primary care, and psychosomatic medicine. Dr. Basnet is not only a respected academic but also a dynamic leader who has led health politics movements in Nepal and contributed to policy-making, including the drafting of the National Mental Health Program 2022. Formerly serving as the assistant dean of examinations at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, he has also worked as a Mental Health Officer at the World Health Organization Country Office in Nepal. He is driven by his passion for environmental protection and nature conservation.

Publications:

• Dementia care landscape in Nepal: current situation and challenges for the development of national dementia care plan.
• Family Caregiver experience of caring COVID-19 patients admitted in COVID hospital of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal
• Wernicke’s encephalopathy: a case report
• Caregiving Stress among Caregivers of Patients admitted with Suicidal Attempt
• Non-psychiatric Referral among First Encounter Patients Attending the Psychiatry Out Patient Services of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
• Collaborative care model for depression in rural Nepal: a mixed-methods implementation research study
• Detection of Carbamazepine Level among Patients Visiting Psychiatric and Pediatric Services of a Tertiary Hospital in Eastern Nepal
• Mental health education in undergraduate medical curricula across Nepalese universities
• Personality Traits among Psychiatric Out-patients with Suicide Attempt Attending Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
• Attitude Towards Suicide among Caregivers of Patients Admitted with Suicide Attempt in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
• Stressors among Psychiatric Out-Patients with Suicide Attempt Attending Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
• Personality Traits among Psychiatric Out-patients with Suicide Attempt Attending Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal

Prof. Dr. Lochana Shrestha is a proactive Preventive Medicine Medical Graduate with over 25 years of experience in Preventive Medicine, Public Health, International Health, and Geriatric Health. Alongside her involvement in medical academia, she has worked on health project management and various international health issues such as TB, HIV/AIDS, Geriatric, and Child Health. She possesses technical expertise in project development, management, monitoring, and supervision, as well as the creation of technical documents and guidelines pertaining to health matters. Dr. Shrestha extensive experience includes significant work in the field of HIV/AIDS and TB at both national and international levels. Furthermore, she has dedicated herself to improve Geriatric Healthcare, aiming to alleviate the suffering experienced by elderly individuals at the end of life due to a lack of adequate healthcare services.

Qualification: MBBS, MD Community Medicine (India), MIPH (Sydney, Australia), Fellow in Geriatrics (India)

Current Position:

• Professor and Head of Department of Community Medicine in National Army Institute of Health and Science (NAIHS), Kathmandu Since November 2011.
• Chairman (Medical Director) of Health Home Care Nepal (Residential Elderly Care Home), Sanepa, Lalitpur since March 2012.
• Director Planning Research and Development Department, NAIHS, 2021
• Member, Ethical Review board, Nepal Health research Council (NHRC)
• Member of Council of UN International Institute on Aging, Malta/ILC-I Satellite Center for SAARC region
• President of Nepal Public Health Foundation (NPHF) Sept 2023
• Past President of Nepalese Society of Community Medicine (NESCOM)
• Board Member of Alzheimer And Related Dementia Society (ARDS)
• Member of Medical Education Council

Major Publications:

• Prevalence of Hypertension and its Associated Risk Factors among Military Personnel of Nepali Army in Selected Military Barracks of Nepal
• Plasma Vitamin B-12 Levels and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case-Control Study
• Prevalence of Anemia in Adolescent Girls attending Specific Schools of Kavrepalanchok, Nepal JNMA I VOL 59 I ISSUE 234
• Nutrition and Health Status Assessment of Geriatric People of One Rural District in Nepal
• Motivational Profiles of Medical Students of Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences
• Community Health Profile of Four VDCs of North-West Part of Kathmandu
• Geriatric health in Nepal: concerns and experience
• Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study on diabetes mellitus among Nepalese diabetic patients
• Health Status Of School Children Of Pokhara Valley, Nepal
• Prevalence Of Streptococcal Pharyngitis Among School Children Of Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Dr. Aruna Uprety is a public health specialist, women’s rights activist, and a strong advocate of healthy eating habits and lifestyles. She is also a Former President of Nepal Public Health Foundation. Dr. Uprety is the founder of Rural Health and Education Services Trust (R.H.E.S.T), which works to prevent trafficking and improve reproductive health, and one of the leading voices against ‘Chhaupadi’ in the Accham District. She holds MBBS degree from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India; and Master’s in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. She received her master’s degree in Arts from the Women and Development Institute of Social Studies the Hague, The Netherlands. She did her M.D from Kharkiv State Medical Institute Ukraine (Former Soviet Union). She has worked with the Ministry of Health for about 8 years on maternity hospital and family planning projects. Her close hands-on experience in the maternity ward inspired her desire to advocate for women’s rights and health.

Dr. Uprety was involved with many different Non-governmental organizations, which allowed her to travel to different Nepalese regions. She also worked in Afghanistan, Iran, India, Laos, China, Sri Lanka, Sudan as a public health specialist and gained experience. She learned about problems associated with malnutrition among children and its reasons while working in rural areas of Nepal. She had conducted research on reasons for malnutrition and advocated on how to reduce this. She learned about local food, health, cultural practice, and its importance for healthy living. She has written many articles on this issue and has presented her ideas in many national and international seminars.

 Publications:

1. Feasibility of using pessaries for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in rural Nepal
   doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.12061
2. Women’s experiences and health care-seeking practices in relation to uterine prolapse in a hill district of Nepal
   doi https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-14-20