Infectious Disease in Nepal

Health Care professionals from the United States, Canada, and Nepal gathered for 3 days to attend the 12th annual conference of America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF- http://www.anmf.net)  at Valley Forge, PA on June 20-22, 2008. The theme of the conference was "Infectious Disease in Nepal".  The conference was hosted by the Nepal Foundation (http://www.thenepalfoundation.org/ ) and Ms. Mary Carroll.  Dr. Kishan Rijal began the conference with a presentation of the hospital revitalization project in Hetauda by the Help Makwanpur Project (http://www.helpmakwanpur.org). Dr. Rijal explained that the target of the project is to provide assistance to build a maternity ward bathroom and to provide a generator by end of 2008.

His Excellency Mr. Ambassador Dr. Suresh C Chalise inaugurated the conference on June 21 2008.  He commented that sound health is a basic human requirement and Nepal needs lots of attention from organizations like ANMF in attaining sustainable health for Nepalese people in general and the poor in particular.

The three-day convention focused on Infectious disease in Nepal, ANMF’s sustainable health care related projects in Nepal, and on improving relationships with health care partners from the United States and Nepal. President D.R. Bhargab Dixit gave a presentation on the accomplishments of ANMF and informed it has been engaged in activities spending over $20,000 a year in Nepal. Dr. Shatrughan Bastola, Director of Infectious Disease in New Jersey,  gave a very detailed presentation on the global trend of infectious disease in the context of Nepal. His data revealed that over 70% deaths in Nepal is by infectious diseases.  He also challenged the audience to come up with sustainable programs such as national surveillance for infectious diseases and appropriate documentation to track a trend and stratify them by region, season etc.

Dr. Buddha Basnet of Travel and Mountain Medicine, Nepal talked about enteric fever and typhoid and various way to treat them. He discussed economics of treatment where many suggested medicines are very expensive for an average Nepali to afford. Dr. Suresh Jaisawal, resident at Mercy Hospital PA, presented a study attitude towards HIV/AIDS by high school students in Kathmandu Valley. The study was completed in 2005. The study clearly indicted a strong correlation between various education level, family education and early exposure to smoking, and drinking with HIV/AIDS.
 
Jim Harr Director of Mission Relief of PA talked about the generous work of his organization in assisting to transport equipment and books to developing countries and extended services to Nepal incoming days. Nepal Foundation and America Nepal Medical Foundation will be working closely with Mission Relief in such efforts. Dr. Arjun Karki of Patan Hospital presented a detailed plan of opening a Medical College and connecting them to remote and rural health centers. His project received very positive response. He is currently visiting the US with fellow physician Dr. Shrijana Shrestha to mobilize resources to upcoming Patan Hospital’s Medical College. He will be working closely with Nepal Foundation and America Nepal Medical Foundation in technology transfer, knowledge transfer, and various other resource mobilizations.

Treasurer Dr. Rupa Hamal reported ANMF’s support was of $37,000.00 in the yar 2007 and so far the commitment for the year 2008 exceeds $20,000.00. This assistance does not include volunteer service by physicians and their travel expense. ANMF’s work with Nick Simon Institute, and Patan Hospital was discussed at length. A brief report was presented on Mother and Child Health Clinic at Rasuwa, Hospice Nepal (a first Hospice program of its own kind in Nepal), Cardiac Electrophysiology Training, Snakebite Training Program in Basantpur, and Pediatric Ophthalmology program at Dharan in collaboration with BP Koirala Institute. These projects emphasized on the training aspect and knowledge transfer while few of them were also about providing equipments and other resources. Having such projects also brought Nepali physicians together with American Physicians and help build a stronger professional and institutional ties.

Dr. Buddha Basnet also presented a report on Nick Simon Institute and the progress made in reaching out to rural Nepal in improving health care. Mr. Ananta Risal of New Jersey revealed of a multi lingual web based health portal designed for Nepal and Nepalis. It was a very fascinating concept for a country like Nepal from record retention and data storing for research.
A renowned radiologist Dr. Barry Goldberg of Thomas Jefferson University talked about a need for early diagnosis for the treatment of infectious disease and also about his cost effective radiology program and radiology center around the world in 72 countries.

The conference was attended by over 60 health care professionals over 3 days. The conference was coordinated and moderated by Mr. Suman R. Timsina. Such work and projects are very encouraging for emerging and enthusiastic Non Resident Nepalis. Next year's ANMF conference will be held in Columbus, Ohio.  ANMF also unanimously decided to have Dr. Sunil Sharma (VA) President elect.
 
         -Suman R. Timsina
         Coordinator
         Board Member-ANMF
         311 Ross Lane
         Collegeville, PA 19426
         stimsina@yahoo.com
            June 22, 2008