Health issues in Nepal will come under the spotlight today (Monday, March 30)) when Aberdeen academics discuss their research.
Dr Padam Simkhada and Professor Edwin van Teijlingen, from the University of Aberdeen's Department of Public Health, will share their findings at the Nepal Study Day at the University of Edinburgh.
The event has attracted researchers from across the UK and is organised by the Britain-Nepal Academic Council.
Nepal is a landlocked country situated between India and China and one of the poorest in the world. It is estimated that about 100,000 Nepalese people are currently living in the UK including retired and serving Ghurkha soldiers, businessman, students and immigrants. This includes a small, but growing, community in Aberdeen.
Dr Simkhada will present an overview of the wide-range of health-related research currently conducted at the University of Aberdeen, such as obesity, HIV, and health care systems as well as on Nepalese migrants working in the NHS.
Several Aberdeen students have also been invited: Mr Bhimsen Devkota will report on his PhD study into rebel health care workers in Nepal, and Ms Bibha Simkada will share her research into the uptake of and barriers towards antenatal care. Ms Laxmi Ghimire, meanwhile, will present her study of sex workers in and around Kathmandu.
Professor Van Teijlingen said: "The University of Aberdeen is in a unique position in that it is involved in health care and health services research in Nepal and it studies the health and lifestyle of Nepalese immigrants in the UK."
The University of Aberdeen is committed to increase its research involvement in international health, including its research in developing countries such as Nepal.
"Of all UK institutions presenting at the Study Day, the University of Aberdeen is the single largest contributor," added Dr Simkhada.
ENDS