Abhilasha Karkey

Assistant Professor Abhilash Karkey is the Clinical lead for the Epidemic Intelligence project. She is a medical microbiologist specializing in enteric infections and antimicrobial resistance at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Kathmandu, Nepal, which is associated with the Patan Academy of Health Sciences within Patan Hospital. Her research encompasses multiple aspects of infectious disease diagnosis, treatment and management including enteric fever, central nervous system infections, hepatitis E, tuberculosis, and antibiotic resistance. Her research focus is aimed at understanding nosocomial infections and antibiotic resistance patterns within the population, as well as molecular epidemiology of enteric fever within the study population in Kathmandu.

Andrew Carey

Andrew Carey is the Programme Manager for the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine- Birat Nepal Medical Trust collaboration which includes Epidemic Intelligence, IMPACT TB, TARGET TB, ASCOT and TB RECOVERY projects. He obtained a Masters in international politics from the University of Glasgow and has been managing complex multicounty development projects in the fields of health and education for the past 10 years, including European Union, Wellcome Trust and UK FCDO funded programmes in Africa and Asia.

Bibha Dhungel

Bibha Dhungel is the Public Engagement Officer at Birat Nepal Medical Trust, based in Kathmandu. She is a creative and enthusiastic individual who believes in hard work and sincerity. She joined BNMT in 2016 and is currently responsible for developing all the branding and dissemination materials of the organization, including the Annual report and strategic plan. She is also active member of the grant writing team, contributing significantly to many successful applications, including Amplify change, TB REACH and Global Fund projects. She also leads in developing, managing and updating all of the organizational websites and social media platforms (Twitter and Facebook).

In the Epidemic Intelligence project, she is responsible for managing the website and sharing project activities through social media updates.

She is MBA from Ace Institute of Management and has previous experience of managing administration in BTC Pvt. Ltd. She enjoys singing, dancing and art.

Dr. Bimal Sharma Chalise

Dr. Bimal Sharma Chalise is the Chief Consultant Physician of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, Kathmandu. He leads the coordination and monitoring of the project implementation at the hospital including the COVID-19 laboratory unit. He is also involved in stakeholder liaison, integration with government response programmes and wider dissemination of project findings.

Bimal earned MD in Internal Medicine, from National Academy of Health Sciences, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu in 2006. He is actively involved in research and has published a number of scientific publications in various national journals.

Dr. Buddha Basnyat

Professor Buddha Basnyat is Co-PI of the Epidemic Intelligence study and Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal. He is an Infectious Diseases consultant who leads a broad spectrum of clinical research on infectious diseases, including typhoid vaccine and treatment trials, tuberculosis diagnosis and prevention, enteric infections. He is also a specialist in high altitude medicine and the Medical Director for the Travel and Mountain Medicine Center and The Himalayan Rescue Association. Buddha is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh). He has published over 300 research papers in international journals and contributed to numerous clinical textbooks, policy and treatment guidelines.

Dr. Chuman Lal Das

Dr. Chuman Lal Das is the Chief Medical Superintendent of Koshi Hospital, Morang, Province 1. He is the Co-PI of the project, leading the coordination and monitoring of the project implementation at Koshi Hospital (Eastern site) including the COVID-19 laboratory unit. He is also involved in stakeholder liaison, integration with government response programmes and wider dissemination of project findings. Dr. Chuman is MBBS and MPH degree holder, with a strong track record in government service and extensive experience in medical service delivery at different districts and zonal hospitals. He is the holder of health service award 2059 from government of Nepal and ministry of health and population in 2059.

Gangaram Budhathoki

Gangaram Budhathoki is the Regional Manager in BNMT Nepal, positioned at Nepalgunj Regional Office in Banke district. He is supporting the Epidemic Intelligence project via regional coordination and loose liaison with the Bheri hospital and government stakeholders.

Gangaram is an experienced public health professional, having more than 20 years’ experience in this field. Previously he worked as a government employee in various government health institutions and then shifted to I/NGOs. During his tenure with Government health institutions and I/NGOs, his roles were focused on facilitation (in training, meeting & workshop), coordination, proposals development, program design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation and support in research activities. Gangaram has been working in BNMT since 2017 engaged in various roles. He currently manages ‘TB Recovery project’ where he is responsible for program planning, managing, coordination and monitoring & evaluation within the regional and project districts. He holds a MPH degree from State University of Bangladesh and Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Gyanendra Shrestha

Gyanendra Shrestha is the Project Manager for the Epidemic Intelligence project and Eastern Regional Manager. He is an experienced public health professional and project leader, starting as a Statistical officer for Government of Nepal in the year 1997, and later joining BNMT as a drug scheme In-charge, progressing as a district programme coordinator and project manager. He has a deep understanding of the implementation and factors driving successful delivery of community based public health programmes in Nepal. He is responsible for ensuring successful implementation of project; establishing good coordination and networking with project partners, government authorities, major hospitals, health offices, and other development partners.

Gyanendra holds a double master’s degree in Public administration and Population and Rural Development.

Laxmi Prasad Dahal

Laxmi Prasad Dahal is the Chief Finance Officer of BNMT Nepal based at head office Kathmandu. He is responsible for overseeing the finances and accounting operations, financial planning and management of BNMT Nepal. He has worked at BNMT for over 15 years and will coordinate his finance team to ensure transparent and accurate financial management and reporting of Epidemic Intelligence, in compliance with all the requirements of the funder Wellcome Trust.

He earned his Masters’ degree in Commerce at Nepal Commerce Campus Kathmandu. He has over 17 years’ of professional experience in finance, accounts, taxation and audit matters.

Manisha Subedi

Manisha Subedi is the Procurement Manager at CMDN/INPL since May 2009. She is responsible for overall logistic management at CMDN. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Science from the Tribhuvan University, Nepal. With more than 10 years’ professional experience in procurement management, Manisha has gained expertise on developing procurement strategies that are innovative and cost-effective, negotiating with suppliers and vendors to secure advantageous terms, building and maintaining long-term relationships with vendors and suppliers, controlling the procurement budget and promoting a culture of long-term saving on procurement costs, and preparing procurement reports. Throughout her career, she has continued her professional development with numerous national-level trainings, and workshops.