Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Nepal

Civil Service Hospital, Nepal

In Nepal, cancer cases continue to increase every year. Among Nepalese women breast, cervix, lungs and gastrointestinal cancers are common. Hospital based data reveals gynecological cancers to be equally common, among which cervical cancer ranks first followed by ovarian, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, endometrial and vulval vaginal cancers.

Oncology is a newly expanding specialty in Nepal. Since the establishment of the government’s first comprehensive national cancer hospital in 1999 few private comprehensive cancer centers have come up. At present about ten cancer centers, few university hospitals and health academies cater cancer care to the needy patients, which is far from adequate. In gynecologic oncology, there are about 30 trained gynecologic oncologists. Considering the volume of gynecological cancers, particularly cervical cancer, Nepal would benefit from improved infrastructure, more training in human resources, escalation of cervical cancer screening programs and implementation of effective preventive programs like vaccination.

Civil Service Hospital of Nepal is a multispecialty government hospital located in Kathmandu. The hospital was built by the grant assistance of Government of People’s Republic of China in 2008 and presently has its own comprehensive cancer center. Apart from the clinical services, the hospital has been offering subspecialty courses through academic and fellowship programs collaborating with National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) and International Gynecologic Oncology Society (IGCS). In 2019, the hospital implemented the IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program which has upgraded the oncology service as well as academics through: organized cancer registry, case-based discussion, Journal Club Meeting, multidisciplinary team discussions, ECHO – Tumour Board where fellows, national and international faculties participate enthusiastically. Under the guidance of highly passionate local and international mentors, knowledgeable national and international faculties, the program have had three successful graduates who serve the women with gynecologic cancers in their respective centers. Two fellows are in training. The fellowship program has not only contributed to service expansion in isolation but has also been a positive catalyst in establishing gynecologic oncology courses in the country and producing the much-needed specialists. Thus, the need and the importance of such fellowship program in Nepal cannot be exaggerated. We are truly grateful to the IGCS leadership team, the Linus Chuang Family, all the program donors and all the faculty for their invaluable contributions.

Local Supervisors

Dr. Jitendra Pariyar

Dr. Jitendra Pariyar is a Professor (National Academy of Medical Sciences) and heads the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Civil Service Hospital of Nepal. He earned his MBBS, MD (Obs-Gynecology) from Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal in 2006. He underwent clinical fellowship in gynecologic oncology in Asan Medical Center- Korea (2008-9). Having served in BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, the national cancer center of the country, from 2000 to 2014 and now he has been instrumental in establishing gynecologic oncology services in Civil Service Hospital. Dr. Pariyar, a passionate teacher, greatly believes in the strength and sustainability of in-country subspecialty courses. Under his leadership, IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program was implemented in Nepal, and he has been dedicatedly serving as the local mentor since 2019.

“In a country like Nepal, where the burden of gynecological malignancies is high, the need for the IGCS Fellowship cannot be exaggerated. Being an IGCS member from a resource constrained country, I feel fortunate and gratified to be associated with the program as a local mentor”

Fellows

Dr. Pabitra Maharjan

Pabitra Maharjan MBBS (Kathmandu University), MD Obstetrics and Gynecology (NAMS)
IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship in training since January 2023

Dr. Anisha Shrestha

Anisha Shrestha MBBS (Tribhuvan University), MD Obstetrics and Gynecology (NAMS)
IGCS Global Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship in training since January, 2024

International Mentors

Dr. Linus Chuang

Dr. Asima Mukhopadhyay

Asima Mukhopadhyay is a Clinician Scientist and Gynaecological Oncologist (surgeon) working in the UK (James Cook University Hospital) and in the India (Founder and Director, Kolkata Gynecological Oncology Trials and Translational Research group- IGCS Organisational Partner). She obtained her MBBS from Medical College, Kolkata; MD from All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi (Gold Medal); Speciality training in O& G and Gynaecological Oncology (NGOC, Gateshead), MSc in Clinical trials (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and a PhD (Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University). Her key areas of interest are developing cytoreductive surgery programs, translational research in DNA repair and PARP inhibitor, and clinical trials.

Dr. Natacha Phoolchaeron

Natacha Phoolcharoen is a Gynecologic Oncologist and an Assistant Professor at the Gynecologic Oncology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. She provides comprehensive care for women with gynecologic malignancies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and preventive services. She is dedicated to advancing cervical cancer prevention through research and comprehensive medical courses. Her work focuses on screening techniques and preventive strategies to reduce the global burden of cervical cancer. Dr. Phoolcharoen is also committed to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, fostering expertise in women’s health and cancer prevention.