Kathmandu - The HA | 12th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal, held from April 10-12, 2026, in Kathmandu, concluded today with a strong emphasis on advancing evidence-based policymaking across the country’s health sector.
Organized by the Nepal Health Research Council, the three-day summit brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and public health experts, reinforcing the message that health research is a national responsibility essential for informed decision-making and sustainable development.
Addressing the summit, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav stressed that scientific research plays a vital role in understanding long-term disease patterns, population health trends, and socioeconomic impacts. He underscored that evidence-based action is key to strengthening Nepal’s healthcare system.
Progress updates presented during the event revealed that around 72 percent of the 49 health-related initiatives outlined in the government’s policy for the fiscal year 2024/25 have already been completed, indicating steady advancement in national health priorities.
The Ministry of Health and Population also highlighted adaptive measures in service delivery, directing hospitals and health institutions to adjust outpatient services and staff schedules to ensure continuity of care amid changing work patterns.
Key focus areas discussed during the summit included tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), reducing maternal and infant mortality, managing population growth, and addressing the impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular health-issues that are increasingly significant in Nepal’s evolving public health landscape.
The World Health Organization reaffirmed its support for Nepal’s health sector, expressing confidence in ongoing efforts to institutionalize STEPS surveys for effective NCD surveillance and data-driven planning.
Experts also emphasized the importance of aligning research with education, noting that subjects such as reproductive health, population dynamics, health service planning, and environmental health remain central to students, particularly those studying health and population at the higher secondary level.
As the summit concluded, participants called for continued collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and international partners to ensure that scientific evidence remains at the heart of Nepal’s health policies and future interventions.
#EcosphereNews #HealthSummitNepal #EvidenceBasedPolicy #NHRC #PublicHealthNepal #NCDs #AirPollution #HealthResearch #NepalHealth #PopulationStudies #SustainableDevelopment
