NIRI Annual Research Symposium 2024

With the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, lung diseases, diabetes, cancers, injuries, etc., the world is facing significant public health challenges and Nepal is also not an exception. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, there were 132,199 deaths caused by NCDs and 14,865 deaths caused by injuries in 2019, contributing to 78% of total deaths in Nepal occurring in that year. The member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region have resolved to expedite progress in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and injuries. In 2016, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) introduced the Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases (PEN) developed by WHO. The government is working to address this by implementing programmes. The rise in NCDs is linked to lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and risky behaviors. NIRI is also committed to contributing and supporting the efforts by undertaking research and innovations through multisectoral collaborations.

NIRI is hosting the third edition of its flagship annual research symposium in July 2024 aiming to foster a collaborative dialogue on effective strategies and interventions to combat NCDs. This event will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to present the latest data and insights on the prevalence, risk factors, and management of NCDs in Nepal so as to inform policy and ad practice. The speakers will 1) present and discuss research insights on the current NCD’s status, its challenges, and remedies in Nepal; and 2) discuss and interact with the issue around existing Nepalese health systems and future directions.

Invited Audiences

• Representatives of the local and federal health authorities and government involved in the law-making for the healthcare system of the country
• University and government officials who are involved in the study of NCDs
• Implementers and practitioners of healthcare institutions
• College and university faculties and students and
• Anyone interested in the topic

Speakers

Dr. Namrata GR Raut, Postdoctoral Fellow, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Dr. Raut is a research fellow (Jankowski Lab), at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The pain remains understudied as comorbid condition and she aims to focuses on bringing awareness about pain through her research in Nepal. Apart from research, Dr. Raut advocates for the new generation of scientists, volunteers at different organizations, pens down about her culture in different news portal and is an upholder of Mithila culture, Nepal, and women in STEM.

Dr. Tara Sigdel, Director, NIRI

Dr. Sigdel is an associate professor of surgery at the University of California. He obtained his PhD in biochemistry from Miami University (OH) followed by postdoctoral training in biomarker discovery, immunology, and organ transplantation at Stanford University. He has authored and co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is serving as Director of Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at NIRI.

Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, FHI 360

Mr. Tuladhar has a Masters’ degree in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University and 30 years work experience, mainly on urban environmental issues such as air pollution, waste management, sanitation and climate change. He has served as CEO and Board Member of Sajha Yatayat and as Chief Technical Advisor South Asia for UN-Habitat. He has also headed Kathmandu City’s Environment Department and a member of its City Planning Commission.

Dr. Rajendra Pangeni, NIRI

Dr. Pangeni is an assistant professor of Genomics in Southeastern University Florida, and serves NIRI Nepal as the Founding Chairperson. Dr. Pangeni has been working in the field of education and research for the past 20 years. Apart from his research works in Cancer biology and genomics, he has been actively involved in teaching, mentoring, training youths in Nepal and abroad, and transferring skills to Nepal.

Ms. Bhagabati Sedain, Senior Lecturer, Padhmakanya Campus

Ms. Sedain is a senior Lecturer at Padmakanya Campus and a Demographer by training. She has obtained Master of Philosophy degree from Tribhuvan University. Bhagabati is about to complete her Doctoral research on social impacts of road traffic injuries from Tribhuvan University. She has completed a number of injury research studies: solo and in collaboration. She also promotes community involvement in injury prevention in Nepal.

Dr. Kaushal Tiwari, Associate Professor, Kathmandu Medical College

Dr. Tiwari is an Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, at Kathmandu University. Having more than a decade of experience, he has been actively involved in developing cardiac surgery, teaching, and training professionals in Nepal, Maldives and other developing countries. He has more than 40 publications in National and International medical journals and he is also a reviewer of several reputed International journals such as JACC, EJCTS, ICVTS, and others.

Mr. Nishant Lama, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences

Mr. Lama is the Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition. He has been working in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla since 2019. He has accomplished Master in Public Health Nutrition from Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu in 2016. As a public health professional, he has worked in academia, projects and research. He has authored more than a dozen research articles in public health issues.

Dr. Vijay GC, Associate Professor, University of Huddersfield, UK

Dr. GC is a senior lecturer (associate professor) at the University of Huddersfield, UK. He is trained in public health and health economics from the University of Sheffield and the University of Copenhagen, with a PhD in health economics from the University of East Anglia. His research interests expand across the health economics field, and he is keenly interested in early health technology assessment of digital health technologies, eliciting user preferences in healthcare delivery and value for further research analysis.

Organising Committee:

Dr. Pusparaj Pant

Mr. Suraj Parajuli

Dr. Saroj Sah

Dr. Dipraj Thapa

Ms. Bhagabati Sedain

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