Expert helps stem TB threat in Nepal
A British health care expert has been asked by the Nepalese Government to help tackle the countrys TB problem.
The Universitys Dr Ian Harper will work with the National
Tuberculosis Centre in
Dr Harper will help develop public heath programmes, including advising on implementing drug treatments.
One main challenge of developing a public health programme for TB is that the disease can become resistant to drugs through inadequate and poorly supervised treatment.
Dr Harper will also look at integrating HIV and TB health services, as TB is one of the leading causes of death in HIV-infected people.
The project emerges from ESRC sponsored research.
TB in Nepal
According to government figures approximately 45 per cent of the total
population of
Around 40,000 people in
Dr Ian Harper
Dr Harper initially trained as a medical practitioner and now works as a medical anthropologist with nearly 20 years, practical and research experience in the field.
He has previously worked in hospital medicine and general practice in the
For two years he worked with NGOs throughout
"The National Tuberculosis Programme in