NIRI Unit for Prevention and Life-Saving Activities(𝐍𝐏𝐋𝐒𝐀)
𝐍𝐏𝐋𝐒𝐀 has been established under the Department of Social Sciences. The objective of the unit is to promote life-saving activities through evidence-based policies, capacity building, and awareness raising.
Bhagabati Sedain is a senior Lecturer at Padmakanya Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal and a Demographer by training. She has obtained Master of Philosophy degree from Tribhuvan University Central Department of Population Studies. Bhagabati is probably the only female injury prevention researcher based in Nepal and about to complete her Doctoral research on social impacts of road traffic injuries from Tribhuvan University with the scholarship from the University Grant Commission of Nepal. This will also be first PhD in road traffic injuries in Nepal. Bhagabati Sedain has completed a number of injury research studies: solo and in collaboration. She has contributed to the development of National Injury Prevention Strategy and Action Plan commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal. She is also advising the Department of Health Services on developing low-cost interventions to be implemented at municipality levels. She has 6 articles published in peer reviewed journals and several op-ed articles in Nepalese print and online media around drowning prevention, road traffic injury prevention, road safety, safer mobility, etc. Her topic of research interests are mainly around unintentional injuries such as drowning, falls, burns, electric shock, and road injuries. Bhagabati is a great mentor who has evidently motivated her students to be involved in academic research and academic publication. Bhagabati also promotes community involvement in injury prevention in Nepal.
Dr. Pant is a Public Health Researcher with a specialty in Injury Prevention research, Road Safety, and Safety Promotion. He has over a decade long experience in these fields. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) and visiting Fellow at the University of Bristol (UoB) since 2009. He also a member of Britain-Nepal Academic Council (BNAC). His expertise includes: conducting social and public health surveys and qualitative studies; engaging community and stakeholders for public health and behavior change interventions; dissemination/ communication using social/media. He has delivered an annual session on Child Injury Prevention to Global Health students (iBSc) at the University of Bristol since 2011. He received Gold Medal from the President of Nepal for his Higher Education achievement. He is continuously promoting injury prevention and road safety in Nepal through social media and newspaper columns. He is also a member of the Editorial Board and reviewer for a number of international peer-reviewed journals.