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Recent research indicates that zoonotic diseases will continue to grow and become a leading cause of animal and human casualties. Thus, healthcare workers, including animal health workers, will increasingly face substantial challenges in controlling such diseases, as these zoonotic diseases will continue to evolve and develop into new strains of pathogens or completely new pathogens along with complex disease dynamics. This complex nature of diseases underpins the importance of an integrated One-Health Approach (OHA) to address zoonotic diseases. Thus, this approach has emerged as a specified field of disease prevention and control that aims to promote the overall well-being of humans, animals and the environment.  

Although OHA has got a boost in many countries, it is rarely institutionalized. The lack of translation of scientific studies for the benefit of local communities has made people reluctant to follow OHA. It received greater attention from prominent organizations such as WHO, OIE, FAO, CDC and EU, leading to the development of a joint plan of action for the integration of OHA into national disease prevention and control strategies, giving rise to one-health organizations and integrated disease control models. Furthermore, many developed and developing countries have started to work on a one-health approach and developed legislations and laws to guide OH actions. Now, the gradual integration of the OHA is occurring across the various areas of prevention and control of diseases. 

Despite the acknowledged importance of the one-health approach for effective prevention and control of diseases, the barriers to the implementation of OHA persist in many Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). These barriers include a lack of qualified one-health professionals, funding constraints, a silo mentality among all concerned stakeholders, lack of intersectoral collaboration and political will, absence of collaboration among all stakeholders and inadequate investment by the government to promote OHA. Furthermore, there exists a dearth of research that involves the cost-effectiveness of OHA. This absence of information is a serious limitation for assessing the usefulness of OHA, whose application in the field condition is extremely poor. This paucity of data might be due to several factors, including wildlife professionals being excluded from multidisciplinary one-health action committees or lacking resources/measures to effectively account for sociocultural systems. However, despite having such challenges, these challenges represent opportunities for better integration and implementation of OHA involving all stakeholders, ranging from policymakers to wildlife and environmental professionals.

The OH activities have historically been disregarded in many developed and developing countries. In addition, factors that affect the implementation of OHA are poorly understood. Lack of collaboration and communication among all concerned stakeholders are pervasive, and wildlife and environmental professionals are neglected in OH action policies. Furthermore, due to a limited understanding of OHA among ground-level stakeholders, implementation of OHA has not yielded intended results. Lack of qualified one-health professionals in the field conditions, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, has prevented instant action in the field conditions. Lack of awareness among the public regarding the OHA has led to a low level of public acceptance of OHA.

Effective prevention and control of diseases needs a comprehensive and systematic approach involving all stakeholders with multidisciplinary interventions. A growing body of knowledge has shown that an integrated OHA is a cost-effective way to prevent and control diseases. Thus, integration of OHA across all disciplines of governance in all three tiers of government as well as research in institutions is essential for effective OH action.

Long-term investments in awareness campaigns for stakeholder behavioral change, research on the cost-effectiveness of OHA, and collaborative partnerships are necessary if OHA is to be effective.  A constant effort should be made to promote better knowledge and understanding of one-health issues in society either through awareness campaigns, rallies, seminars, and dissertation groups or through social media platforms. As there is an acute lack of one-health experts in many developing countries, the training of non-specialists under the supervision of one-health experts and strengthening their capacity in prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, disaster response, and risk reduction, data collection, and communication would be an effective approach. To raise awareness among public, school and university curricula should be updated with the inclusion of OHA. 

Those students in school and university then can teach their parents about one-health issues through lessons learned in school. And, the parents by being aware of OH issues, can apply preventive and control measures to prevent disease occurrences. Therefore, students should be educated and supported to facilitate the implementation of one-health activities. Using education platforms could be a cost-effective method involving little or no financial resources, raising awareness to convey a message about one-health systems.

Healthcare professionals working in field conditions should be trained on OHA. Now, it is time for all countries to act together to achieve the goal of disease control and elimination as envisioned by One-Health policy documents by building a strong intersectoral collaboration, funding allocation, infrastructures, human resources as well as political commitments.

This OHA should be spearheaded by professional OH actors and/or societies to provide needed expertise to address OH issues. Furthermore, WHO, OIE and FAO should provide support for regional cooperation among countries to build a robust system of OHA plans for better preparedness in dealing with epidemics and preventing as well as controlling zoonotic diseases. Thus, it is high time to implement OHA to tackle infectious diseases.

The author is a Veterinary officer at the Department of Livestock Services (DLS)

Fifty years ago, our countries embarked on a journey of friendship, understanding, and collaboration. Today, as we reflect on the past five decades, we can take pride in the progress we have achieved together. The journey of the last 50 years is a story of shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to building a better future for our people.

The emblem is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our nations as well as collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal and our Embassy in shaping a meaningful representation of this significant milestone. Today, as we unveil the result of cooperation between the Ministry and the Embassy, we can witness the strong bonds that have flourished over the past five decades. 

This book stands not only as a testament to their individual journeys but also as a powerful symbol of the fruitful outcomes of bilateral employment cooperation. The 26 businessmen featured in this book are living proof that the exchange of skills and experiences can yield personal growth and substantial contribution to the economic landscape of Nepal. These 26 business owners are heroes to create jobs in Nepal and to inspire other returnees to have a dream. Each success of 26 heroes also started from their dream. Their stories exemplify the spirit of bilateral employment cooperation, demonstrating that collaboration between Korea and Nepal can be a powerful catalyst for personal and economic development. Thanks for your contribution for this book and joining today here.

As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we must also look ahead to the future. Our diplomatic ties have weathered the test of time. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to strengthen our cooperation for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The global landscape is ever-changing, and by deepening our collaboration, we can navigate together these changes with resilience and solidity.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the leaders and people of both Korea and Nepal for reaching this historic milestone. It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of countless individuals who have worked tirelessly to build bridges, foster understanding, and promote cooperation between our nations.

As we stand at the threshold of the next 50 years, let us envision a future where our nations continue to grow and prosper together. May the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has characterized the last five decades guide us in creating a world of shared prosperity, peace, and mutual understanding. May the next 50 years be filled with even greater achievements and closer collaboration between Korea and Nepal. 

Statement delivered at the launching ceremony of commemorative log and book on success stories under EPS program

The Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives has started investigating the decision of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) to lease Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum located in Ramgram of Nawalparasi district, bypassing the public procurement regulations. The committee wrote to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and LDT on Tuesday “to provide all the documents related to this matter within seven days”.

The committee has specifically sought to know as to why LDT initiated the lease process despite a disagreement in writing on the part of the Ministry of Finance, MoCTCA and the Department of Archeology.

Ignoring the public procurement regulations, LDT has inked a deal with the Moksha Foundation and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd for the excavation and construction of structures, including stupas, within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in Ramgram. It has been revealed that LDT Vice-chair Lharkyal Lama initiated the Rs 7bn project despite objections from various authorities. 

According to the terms of the agreement, the excavation of the ossuary and the construction of the stupa, Buddhist monasteries and other structures representing different countries will take place in Ramgram. 

“To facilitate this, approximately 116 bighas of private land, 75  kathas of land owned by the Trust, and 10 kathas of land owned by the Department of Archaeology will be integrated and leased to the private company,” the agreement states.

Per the agreement, LDT will be responsible for acquiring the land from locals, while Moksha Foundation will conduct land pooling and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd will manage it. 

Nikesh Adhikari, the owner of the Promised Land, is the son of Sharada Prasad Adhikari, the landlord of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Khumaltar-based residence.

The project had reportedly remained stalled for years due to a lack of transparency in investment. It eventually got the green light after Lama assumed the position of LDT Vice-chair on 6 Aug 2023.

I don’t cook regularly. But I’m fascinated by cookbooks. And I’ve recently begun collecting cookbooks as well. Did I cook much in the past month? No. But did I buy several cookbooks and spend hours going through them? A big, resounding yes. It’s comforting to know that I have an arsenal of recipes at my disposal should I ever need them. One of my all-time favorites is Reader’s Digest’s ‘The Great 5-Ingredient Cookbook’ which has recipes of 250 simple, healthy dishes that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes.

‘Masala Memsahib’ by Karen Anand has recently been added to my list of favorites. This is a cookbook in memoir form. It’s part travelog too. It takes us on a journey across five Indian states, namely Goa, Gujrat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. There is a smattering of mouth-watering local cuisines along with their histories. Anand also gives brief introductions to different eating and cooking practices, and shoutouts to people who have influenced her in her culinary crusade of sorts across India.

The book is divided into different sections, each dedicated to a certain type of cuisine. There are 100 plus delicious, easy-to-replicate recipes. Most recipes in Masala Memsahib are authentic home-style recipes. The focus is on harnessing the natural flavor of the main ingredient using the right masala combination and not letting the spices overpower the dish.

I love the recipes of the Prawn with Green Chilli, Boatman Fish Curry, and Corn in a Creamy Sauce. They can be whipped up in minutes with basic ingredients that almost every household has in its pantry. Anand runs a successful gourmet business and consults for luxury hotels and restaurants. Her love for food is evident in Masala Memsahib where she offers genuine and practical tips and tricks to make delicious meals.

The book is interspersed with photos not only of food but of people Anand has met in the course of her travels. It feels like a photobook because of the perfectly-shot full-page photos. I have taken to keeping the book in my living room and dipping into it whenever I have some free time. I usually find I’ve spent more than the several allocated minutes going through the book and have marked a recipe or two to try out next. Masala Memsahib is great for those who don’t have much culinary expertise but would like to, every once in a while, prepare a gourmet dish to surprise their family members.

Masala Memsahib

Karen Anand

Published: 2022

Publisher: Macmillan

Pages: 252, Paperback