Annual Conference 1998 - New York

Sharing Knowledge to Improve Medical Care in Nepal

Annual Conference, June 13-14, 1998
Columbia University, New York

1998 Conference Report

Sharing Knowledge to Improve Medical Care in Nepal was the theme of second annual convention of America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF), which was held on June 13 and 14 at Columbia University in New York. About 55 participants (mostly physicians) from across the US, Canada and Nepal attended the convention.

ANMF, established in 1996 through the joint efforts by Nepalese, American and Canadian doctors, primarily aims to help strengthen the technical capabilities of the medical institutions of Nepal by tapping, expertise, resources and the goodwill that exists for Nepal in North America. ANMF is keenly aware of the complex nature of Nepal’s health problems and recognizes the need for sustained and multi-sectorial interventions to resolve them. To this end, the development and delivery of quality medical care is one of the essential components of such interventions. It also understands that the people’s efforts within Nepal will be the determining factor in upgrading health care. ANMF, nonetheless, strongly believes that expatriate Nepali physicians, other health-related personnel and friends of Nepal can make a significant contribution towards achieving this goal. Given the paramount role of North America in medical field, ANMF believes that the best way to strengthen Nepal’s medical capabilities is by facilitating the transfer of appropriate technical know-how and promoting academic and professional cooperation between individuals and academic medical centers of North America and Nepal.
 

On the first day of the convention, Doctors Brendan Thomson, Hari Har Sharma, Charles Richert and Richard Hirsch spoke about their sharing of work experiences and expertise with Nepali doctors. They also expressed their deep interests to continue working in Nepal in the foreseeable future. Dr. Kristin Stueber and Dr. Libby Wilson summarized their experience of providing plastic surgical care through zonal and regional hospitals in Nepal and proposed a framework to train interested Nepali surgeons in this discipline. Mark Barsoum shared his experience regarding the challenges of sending medical equipments to Nepal. Jim Fanning spoke about his observation regarding the current status of biomedical engineering in Nepal and made recommendations to improve the situation. Dr. Scott Meskin appraised the participants about the proposed project to improve the emergency medical service system in Kathmandu.

Subsequently, Dr. Roshan Shrestha presented the progress report on continuing medical education (CME) seminar to be organized in Nepal on November 5th, 1998, in collaboration with Society of Internal Medicine of Nepal (SIMON). He also presented an outline of CME programs for the year 1999 and 2000. Dr. Sunil Sharma briefed about the progress made so far regarding plans to send standard medical reference books and peer-reviewed professional journals to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital Library. Following the report by Dr. Stueber on the current financial status of ANMF, Dr. Hirsh outlined the principles and strategy of fundraising. Dr. Gaury Shankar Adhikary briefed the participants about the current status of membership drive. He announced that Dr. Seaborn Beck Weathers has became the first person to obtain a life membership of ANMF. The session ended with a vote of thanks by ANMF General Secretary and coordinator of the convention organizing committee Tara Niraula. The evening ended with an well-organized Nepali dinner.
 

Before the beginning of the session, Dr. Arjun Karki, founding president of the organization, highlighted the background, aims and objectives of the ANMF. ANMF representative in Nepal Dr. Prativa Pandey shared the local perspective with regard to ANMF and its programs. Professor Donald Blair of State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse and Chairman of the board of directors of ANMF, delivered an inspiring and uplifting keynote speech. H.E. Narendra Bikram Shah, The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Nepal to the United Nations praised the goals of ANMF and said that his office will be more than happy to render any help it can to accomplish the goals ANMF has set forth.

On June 14, the deliberation was focused on several organizational issues. The convention ended with the election of Dr. Gaury Shankar Adhikary as the new President, and Dr. Roshan Shrestha (ANMF North America), and Dr. Shankar Rai (ANMF Nepal side) as the new Vice-presidents of ANMF.