Canada, US and Nepal experts discuss Nepal's infectious diseases

Health Care professionals from US, Canada and Nepal in a 3-day annual conference of America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF) at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, USA discussed ways to help curb infectious diseases prevailing in rural Nepal.

According to a statement issued by ANMF, the conference concluded Sunday reviewing the initiatives it has taken in Nepal such as Help Makawanpur for improving the health status of general Nepalis.

Speaking at the inaugurating session, Nepali envoy to US Dr. Suresh C Chalise said sound health is a basic human requirement and Nepal needs lots of attention from organisations like ANMF in attaining sustainable health for Nepalis in general and the poor in particular.

President of ANMF Dr Bhargab Dixit informed that they have been engaged in activities spending over $20,000 a year in Nepal. A presentation by Dr. Shatrughan Bastola, Director of Infectious Disease in New Jersey revealed that over 70 percent death in Nepal is by infectious diseases.

He stressed on the need of sustainable programmes such as national surveillance for infectious diseases and appropriate documentations 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 the economics of treatment where many suggested medicines are very expensive for an average Nepali to afford.

Over 60 health care professionals electing Dr. Sunil Sharma as the new president of the foundation attended the conference. nepalnews.com ia June 23 08