Preconference- Date 13th August, 2022
All three days of the 3rd National NESCOM conference was held at Shankar hotel, Kathmandu. The day started with the registration of the participants attending the preconference. The master of the ceremony of the session Dr Baidehi officially started the session. Dr Pushpanjali Adhikari and Dr Abhinav Vaidya then delivered welcome remarks and officially announced the start of preconference proceedings.
The talk for the first session was the “Introduction to WHO tools and technical packages of NCDs and Mental health”. The presentations were delivered by Dr Lonim Dixit and Dr Kedar Marahatta. The first session was succeeded by a short tea break.
In the second session, the first speaker of the second session was Dr Rita Thapa who is a pioneer in the field of public health in our country. She gave a speech on “Schools as a gateway for NCD prevention in Nepal”. She highlighted the fact that school education for NCD prevention is a must and highlighted the success story of her project. Dr Bikash Desar was the second presenter for the second session and he gave a talk on oral health and its association with NCDs. The third speaker for the session was Dr Prajjwal Pyakurel who shared his experience of starting a healthy ward initiative which focused on the ward dwellers the awareness of NCDs and healthy living practices regarding the prevention NCDs. The last presenter for the session was Dr Surya Parajuli. He gave a talk on “Risk communication on NCDs”.
The third session of the day of a panel discussion. There was a short power point presentation from Dr Prajjwal Pyakurel. The session was moderated by Dr Lila Bahadur Basnet. The discussion of the panel session was on the topic” Action plan for future collaborations for NCDs in Nepal”. The panelists for the session were Dr Gajanand Bhandari, Dr Krishna K Aryal, Dr Poma Thapa, Dr Archana Shrestha and Dr Pranil Man Singh. The moderator of the session Dr Lila then commenced the session by putting forward some relevant discussion topics like the situation of NCD coverage in the basic health service and how it could be strengthened? Behavioral changes regarding NCDs and also the role of academia and the research in prevention of NCDs. The session was ended with explanations from the panelist and some healthy discussion among the audience.
Post lunch session began with presentation from Dr Poonam Rijal on Gender Based Violence. The presentation was then followed by the last session of the day. The theme of the session was “Leadership and management: Policy Advocacy for NCD”. The session was chaired by Prof Dr Sunil K Joshi. The first speaker of the session was Dr Guna Nidhi Sharma who gave a talk on Policy lens: Social Determinants of NCD. He was followed by Dr Biraj Karmacharya. He gave an insightful presentation on “Incorporating NCD related policies and programs in the decentralized health system in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges”. Dr Sunil K Joshi gave the conclusion remarks on the presentations and ended the session thanking the presenters. This ended the formal sessions of preconference.
Conference Day 1- 14th August, 2022
The day began with registrations. The master of ceremonies Dr Nikita and Dr Pallavi welcomed the participants and honorable guests with a welcome speech and a brief history of the three editions of NESCOM. Then she invited Dr Lochana Shrestha president of NESCOM, Prof Dr Nilambar Jha former president of NESCOM, Dr Phanindra Baral chief of NCD and mental health EDCD, Prof Dr Abhinav Vaidya organizing president of the conference to the chair to officially inaugurate the conference. The dignitaries officially started the conference by lighting the panas. Dr Pushpanjali Adhikari delivered a welcome speech highlighting the significance of collaborating with government of Nepal and WHO to work in the field of NCDs. Dr Abhinav Vaidya welcomed all the dignitaries and participants.
Dr Anand Krishnan, then delivered a power point presentation focusing on how academics and present curriculum can help the future doctors and post graduates in tackling the problems of NCD. His topic of discussion was “Addressing NCDs effectively requires changing the way it is taught in medical schools.” After the presentation, Dr Nilambar Jha addressed the dignitaries and participants and commenced the felicitation program of MD community graduates. And finally, the inauguration session came to an end with the final remarks from the current NESCOM president Dr Lochana Shrestha.
After a short tea break, the second session of the day, a plenary session on the topic “NCD and Mental Health community to policy: way forward” was moderated by Dr Pushpanjali Adhikari. The panelists were Dr Bhagwan Koirala, Dr Phanindra Baral, Dr Abhinav Vaidya, Dr Lonim Dixit Dr Kedar Marhatta and Dr Basudev Karki. The moderator for the session queried the panelists with issues regarding the burden of NCD and mental health in Nepal, the government response and programs and policies to tackle NCD and the role of other stakeholders along with academia. The panelist delivered excellent explanations regarding the queries. This ended a fruitful second session of the day.
The third session was a technical session on “Multisectoral action plan for prevention and control of NCDs 2021-2025”. Dr Pawan Shah delivered a talk a national mental health strategy and action plan 2020 and multisectoral approach to tackle NCDs.
The post lunch was a plenary session on “One Health Approach to AMR containment” moderated by Dr Ritu Amatya with Dr Runa Jha, Dr Tulsi Ram Gompo, Dr Krishna Prasad Rai and Mr Bhagwan Shrestha as the panelists for the session. Issues regarding the Antimicrobial situation in Nepal, Surveillance of AMR, and the situation of AMR and surveillance system in animal health was discussed with the panelists. The session ended with a brief discussion on the 5 Ps (policy, prescriber, patient, pharmacy and professional association in AMR.
The next session was a scientific session which was both the oral and poster presentations. There were four poster presentations and five oral presentations in total. Dr Megha Kasaju, Dr Anmol Prasad Shrestha, Dr Rabina Shrestha, Dr Sabita Jyoti, Dr Shruti Shah were the oral presenters. Dr Sulav Regmi, Mr Rahul Reddy, Dr Priyadarshani, Dr Pallavi Koirala were the poster presenters for the session. After the scientific session there was a short tea break.
The final session of the day was a symposium on the topic “Community-based prevention and control in NCDs: Strategies and Challenges”. The chairs for the session were Dr Khem B Karki and Dr Vinthuna Silvanus. The session was started by the first speaker Dr Natalia Oli who gave a talk on “Life course approach for cardiovascular health promotion in the HARDIC Trial: evolution from traditional to digital intervention. She was followed by the next speaker Mr Durga Rijal who gave a presentation on the “Formative research to inform a community-based CVD prevention intervention among urban poor in Kathmandu, Nepal: a multi-qualitative study. The final presenter of the day was Mr Abhisek Sapkota who presented on “Methodology and findings from community-based management of NCDs in semi urban Nepal.” The session ended by closing remarks by the chairs Dr Khem and Dr Vinthuna. This also ended the formal sessions of day 1 of conference.
Conference Day 2- 15th August, 2022
With the Great enthusiasm the 2nd day of the conference started.
Master of ceremony Dr. Anmol Prasad Shrestha invited Prof Dr. Nilambar Jha who presented six research article on Topic: “Community based studies of Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern Nepal” as a keynote speech.
The 2nd session was symposium on “Topic NCDs Prevention and Control: Role of Undergraduates and Graduates of Community Medicine and Public Health.” This session was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Koju and Prof Dr. Nilambar Jha. As a speaker Dr. Abhinav Vaidya talked about Need Assessment of Research Capacity for Prevention and control of NCDs in Nepal. Similarly, Dr Prajjwal Pyakurel highlighted the Role of health professionals in NCDs prevention. On behalf of Community Medicine Resident from different medical colleges, Dr. Achyut Neupane talked about Role of both Undergraduate and post graduates on NCD Prevention highlighting the activities done and areas where graduates can work. Ms Dipsikha Aryal being a public health student delivered a speech on public health perspectives and NCDs prevention.
Before the team break we had a short Technical session on Topic “Integrated Primary care service delivery for NCDs and Mental Disorders.” The Panelist were representative from NHTC/EDCD/Health facility managers of a district hospital and WHO. The keynotes of the discussion was patient centered approach and role of PEN and mhGAP in service providing at low resources setting at primary health care to fight against NCDs and mental health issues.
Dr. Priyadarshani Shah as a master of ceremony started symposium III on Topic “Advocacy for NCDs: Patients’ voices and role of civil society.” The chair for the session was Dr. Prakash R. Regmi. Dr. Abinav Vaidya highlighted about National NCD Alliance and a recorded speech was shown with introduction of Global NCD Alliance its role and future plans. Ms Shristi Singh talked about Nepal NCDI Poverty Commision and PEN PLUS in changing the narrative around NCDs in Nepal. Anu Gomanju shared the Lived experiences of NCDs in Nepal with highlighting the importance of people living with NCDs in reducing the burden and challenges that need to be addressed in patient centred approach. The session was ended with the presentation from Ms Punya Suwal highlighting the importance of communication skills in the Effectiveness of Health worker-Patient.
Technical session V: “Understanding Old Foe: Infectious Disease Epidemiology” was started by our Master of ceremony inviting Dr. Amit Aryal and Dr. Dipesh Tamrakar on the Chair. NIshan Kutwal, Shiv ram Naga, Manish Banjara talked about COVID 19 on genetic epidemiology, impact of covid 19 pandemic in Enteric fever and incidences and associated factorsa of breakthrough infection of covid 19 among healthcare workers. Pramesh Koju talked about resistance pattern of E. coli isolates in chicken caecal and local drivers of AMR; mixed methods study in a suburban area of Nepal.
The last session of the conference, Scientific Session on “Epidemiological studies and Evidence from Nepal” was Chaired by Dr. Gajananda Bhandari and Dr. Deepak Yadav. Our Master of ceremony for the session invited speakers turn by turn to present their article. Ruby Shrestha, Dr. Monika Shrestha and Dr. Reshu Agrawal Sagtani presented their recent paper related to COVID 19. Dr. Surya Parajuli presented paper related to IMNCI. Similarly, Dr. Simanta Poudel presented on KAP study related to cervical cancer and screening. The last presenter Mr. Rahul Reddy MBBS student from BPKIHS presented his Topic related to ANC awareness and Practice among married male of Nepal. Along with this 5 oral presentation, we had 8 poster presentation presented by Resident Doctors from Department of Community Medicine. The presenter were Dr. Sujil Manandhar, Dr. Samir parajuli, Dr.Ranjit Makaju, Dr. Shuveccha Adhikari, Dr. Sujata Paudel, Dr. Shweta Jha, Dr. Anjwani Rimal and Dr. Bipul Bikash Singh.
The conference ended with presentation of Awards for winner of scientific session and concluding remarks from Former President Dr. Nilambar Jha, current President Dr. Lochana Shrestha, organizing President Dr. Abhinav Vaidya and with Vote of Thanks from Pushpanjali Adhikari the program officially ended.
Flyers of NESCOM Third National Conference
