As the Nepali New Year 2082 just began, we reflected with pride and purpose on our recent participation at the 11th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal, organized by the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) from 10-12 April, 2025. This prestigious event brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of communities across the nation.

We were honored to present three of our research studies that tackle some of Nepal’s most pressing health challenges:

Dr. Puspa Raj Pant, NIRI member and Advisor of Unit for Prevention and Life-Saving Activities (NPLSA) shed light on “Empowering Communities to Strengthen Healthcare Systems in the Face of Emerging Health and Financial Challenges”, emphasizing the vital role of community engagement in building resilient and responsive health systems.

Mr. Devraj Pokhrel, Research Intern at NIRI, addressed the growing concern of antifungal resistance with his poster presentation on “Escalating Threats of Antifungal Drug Resistance in Nepal: A One Health Perspective”. His presentation underscored the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in combating fungal drug resistance.

Take Home Message:

Antifungal drug resistance is rapidly rising in Nepal but remains poorly understood due to reliance on traditional diagnostics.

Mechanistic and molecular research from a One Health approach is critically lacking.

🔹 Mr. Suraj Parajuli, NIRI Administrative Officer presented on “Policy Analysis of “Antimicrobial Resistance in Nepal: Challenges, Gaps, and Recommendations”, offering insights into existing policy frameworks and actionable steps to bridge current gaps in addressing AMR.

Take Home Message:

While policies have been formulated, their effective implementation requires adequate resources. Raising awareness at the local level is crucial, alongside prioritizing research and development.

Cross-border infections must be addressed, and biohazard waste management should be a key priority.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our entire research team, especially Dr. Santosh Dulal (Principal Investigator) and Ms. Anu Maharjan, whose guidance and contributions were instrumental in shaping these studies.

As we step into the New Year 2082, our commitment remains unwavering — to generate impactful evidence, advocate for science-based policy, and translate research into meaningful actions that benefit communities across Nepal.

Wishing everyone a meaningful, research-driven, and healthier year ahead. 🙏