A high-level seminar held in Scotland has drawn attention to Nepal’s Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan III (2023–2030), with the University of Aberdeen expressing interest in supporting research, evaluation, and capacity-building efforts.
The event, attended by senior officials from the Government of Nepal, was held at the globally renowned Rowett Institute—an institution recognized for its leadership in nutrition research. Dr. Rosalind Adam, Research Lead at the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, stated the university’s willingness to collaborate in assessing the effectiveness of Nepal’s national nutrition initiatives and contributing to workforce development.
Nepal’s representatives shared insights into the country’s progress and challenges in the nutrition sector. Joint Secretary Prakash Dahal highlighted positive advancements, while Joint Secretary Rudra Singh Tamang acknowledged difficulties in building nutrition capacity at the local level, despite effective programs targeting children under five. Under Secretary Resham Kandel presented a paper noting that while 30% of the plan’s budget is supported by international aid, recent cuts in foreign assistance from the US and UK could hamper implementation. Officials Janakraj Sharma, Yam Prasad Dhungana, Prakash Panthi, and Dipesh Kattel also shared their perspectives. The plan aims to reduce stunting in children under five from 25% to below 15%, wasting from 8% to 4%, and underweight prevalence from 19% to 9%, while also addressing anemia, low birth weight, and childhood obesity.
Dr. Santosh Gaihre, a Global Health lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a key facilitator of the event, emphasized the importance of global collaboration, evidence-based research, and capacity enhancement for successful implementation of Nepal’s nutrition strategy. Dr. Gaihre previously led a study evaluating an earlier phase of the MSNP, which was published in a peer-reviewed journal. The seminar also featured contributions from international experts Dr. Janet Kyle and Dr. Aravinda Guntupalli, who discussed global experiences in nutrition planning. Under their mentorship, Nepali PhD students are conducting nutrition-related research, including Usha Ghimire, who presented a paper on child malnutrition and the practical application of nutrition policy and academic research in Nepal.
The seminar was organized through a partnership between the Government of Nepal, the University of Aberdeen, and the Organization for Nepali Culture and Welfare (ONCW). ONCW Chair Prakash Aryal expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting collaboration between the Nepali diaspora, researchers, and government bodies. Participants agreed that the seminar served as a valuable platform for exchanging international research insights and gaining firsthand policy implementation experience from Nepali officials.
.
