Dynamic public health professional with over a decade of experience specializing in migration health, health systems strengthening, and humanitarian emergencies. Expertise includes program management, monitoring and evaluation, operational research, and policy advocacy, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving health outcomes in diverse settings. Proven leadership in multi-country projects and capacity-building initiatives, with a focus on effective communicable disease control strategies. Passionate about driving impactful health interventions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to enhance community resilience.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Officer (Migration Health)
International Organization for Migration (IOM), Libya
05.2021 - Current
Supervise migration health interventions in detention centers, disembarkation points, and urban clinics, coordinating with IOM units and external partners.
Manage the Libyan chapter of the MER4 Global Fund TB Project, focusing on migrant populations and health system strengthening in collaboration with the National TB Program/NCDC; oversee TB medication provision, molecular diagnostics, and screening campaigns.
Lead initiatives to enhance International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities and risk profiling at Points of Entry, working closely with NCDC offices and the Technical Cooperation Office.
Serve as IOM focal point for Pillar 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Co-authored health facility assessment reports, Manuals of Standard Operating Procedures (SoP), and cause of death studies in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders.
Key Achievements:
Led the successful rollout of the Health Border Mobility Management (HBMM) framework in southern Libya, strengthening health systems along migratory routes through:
Health system strengthening along the central mediterranean route by supporting rehabilitation of 8 facilities, including provision of medicines and human resource support, and deployment of 3 mobile clinics.
Expanded disease surveillance networks in border municipalities and enhanced emergency health services linked to search and rescue operations.
Co-developed Emergency Healthcare and Dead Body Management Manuals with Cornell University and finalized Procedures Manuals for Libyan Points of Entry (endorsed by NCDC).
Conducted studies on cause of death among non-Libyans and service readiness assessments with the Ministry of Health.
Participated and supported in organizing a sub-regional simulation exercise (SimEx) in Cairo in collaboration with IOM RO MENA, WHO EMRO, and partners.
Managed six multi-donor projects for Storm Daniel response, including health facility assessments, recruitment and deployment of 39 medical staff, and establishment of disease surveillance and measles laboratories in flood-affected municipalities.
Migration Health Officer
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
09.2019 - 05.2021
Served as focal point for migration health coordination, liaison, and external relations, including engagement with External Development Partners (EDPs), TB and HIV/AIDS technical working groups, and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
Supervised a multidisciplinary team of national and international staff and consultants across multiple migration health projects.
Led development and management of projects addressing health needs of migrants, victims of trafficking, and host communities, aligned with IOM’s strategic priorities.
Co-chaired four multisectoral technical working group formed by the Ministry of Health to mainstream migration health within legal and policy framework, development of migration health information management system, development of standard operating procedures (SOP) for the predeparture health assessment centers and the migration health research sub-unit with the National Health Research Council.
Key Achievements:
Developed and managed Stop TB Partnership funded project titled “Early and improved Tuberculosis (TB) case detection among migrants and their families in provinces 1, 2 and 3 of Nepal through Public Private Mix (PPM) Approach”. The project aimed to harness and leverage existing migration health assessment (HA) expertise of IOM Migration Health Department on TB screening and diagnosis and establish linkages to NTP, thereby sustainably increasing case detection. The project also introduced Computer-Aided Detection for TB (CAD4TB) for its usefulness to interpret CXR images for HA process.
Developed and successfully managed COVID-19 response projects, including development of culturally tailored RCCE materials (including collaboration with the national radio network), creation of the “One Covid-19 Information Solution for Migrations” website.
Key Achievements in health security and border health governance include:
Conducted rapid assessments on COVID-19 impact, Population Mobility Mapping in 9 municipalities (reports available on Publications | IOM Nepal)
Assessed 15 Points of Entry (POEs) focusing IHR core capacities and border health governance in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior.
Established health-desks in four ground crossing points, in partnership with MoHP and USAID.
Developed orientation curriculum for frontline workers on COVID-19, risk communication, International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, and infection prevention and control (IPC) in collaboration with EDCD/MoHP (manual available on Orientation Manual.pdf).
Developed and managed the Migration Health Management Information System (MHMIS) project, including formation of MoHP-led technical working group, scoping review (report available on scoping review report.pdf), feasibility studies, development of ToR for MHMIS module development, and technical support for pre-departure health assessment SOPs.
Advocated for and supported the formation of a policy steering committee chaired by the Secretary of Health, and two technical working groups co-chaired by MoHP and IOM, to advance migration health initiatives in Nepal.
Advocated and technically supported mainstreaming migration health in the 15th National Periodic Plan (2019–2023) and National Health Policy (2019).
Public Health officer
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
03.2018 - 10.2018
Supported implementation of the IDF project to mainstream migration health within the national framework, including resource mobilization and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
Conducted health assessments and provided medical clearance for immigrants to the USA, Australia, and Canada, including TB management in accordance with CDC protocols.
Represented IOM in national and district-level clusters, including Health, Protection, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).
Provided technical input to the National Strategic Plan for TB and HIV, introducing migration health components.
Supported project proposal development, donor liaison, and coordination with UN agencies, government counterparts, and other relevant actors.
Migration Health Physician
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
12.2017 - 03.2018
Conducted over 3,500 health assessments for refugees and migrants, including medical history review, physical examinations, chest X-ray interpretation, and test result analysis in line with resettlement country guidelines.
Supported management of Health Assessment Programmes, including workflow organization, supervision of junior staff, liaison with external partners, and medical procurement.
Treated drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis cases, managed sexually transmitted infections, and provided HIV/TB counselling support.
Participated in communicable disease surveillance by notifying stakeholders of cases identified during health assessments.
Migration Health Consultant
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
01.2016 - 12.2017
Drafted Nepal’s first national migration health policy in collaboration with key government ministries and agencies.
Revised the health component of the pre-departure orientation training manual for labour migrants, in consultation with MoHP and stakeholders.
Developed unified pre-departure health assessment guidelines, establishing linkages with Nepal’s public health system.
Authored travel advisory booklets for labour migrants to six major destination countries.
Designed and implemented TB active case finding and contact tracing programs among high-risk groups, including seasonal labour migrants, injecting drug users, female sex workers, and people living with HIV.
Piloted active TB case finding in outpatient departments of two government hospitals.
Built partner capacity through coaching, training, workshops, and technical assistance.
Monitored project progress and partner performance through routine reporting, data analysis, audits, and field visits.
Developed and integrated electronic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting frameworks.
National Health Officer (Emergency Health)
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
03.2016 - 12.2016
Supported implementation of public health interventions following the 2015 earthquake, including establishment of a 20-bed Injury and Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) for earthquake victims.
Assisted in the delivery of Assisted Referral and Return (ARR) and Assisted Discharge and Return (ADR) services for earthquake survivors.
Contributed to mental health and psychosocial support activities in six severely affected districts.
Supported preparation of final intervention reports in coordination with the programme support unit.
Emergency TB Team Leader
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
10.2015 - 03.2016
Developed and maintained strong working relationships with National TB Programme (NTP) officials at district, regional, and national levels, as well as other TB stakeholders.
Led planning and organization of TB screening campaigns and chest camps in 35 IDP sites across six earthquake-affected districts in collaboration with NTP/MoHP.
Supervised TB screening, referral processes, and specimen collection by partner organizations, ensuring quality control in sputum packaging and transportation.
Managed a team of five in implementing project interventions and activities, ensuring adherence to Standard Operating Procedures.
Participated in data analysis and shared findings with teams, donors, and stakeholders.
Education
M.Sc. Epidemiology (distance learning) -
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
United Kingdom
10.2025
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) - undefined
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
Nepal
01.2010
Skills
Health systems strengthening and project management
Monitoring & evaluation (M&E), data analysis, and reporting
Operational research and policy development
Disease surveillance and communicable disease control
Clinical assessments and TB management
Capacity building and training
Stakeholder engagement and coordination
Health information systems (MHMIS) development
Preparation of technical reports and research publications
Accomplishments
Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
Timeline
Project Officer (Migration Health)
International Organization for Migration (IOM), Libya
05.2021 - Current
Migration Health Officer
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
09.2019 - 05.2021
Public Health officer
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
03.2018 - 10.2018
Migration Health Physician
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
12.2017 - 03.2018
National Health Officer (Emergency Health)
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
03.2016 - 12.2016
Migration Health Consultant
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
01.2016 - 12.2017
Emergency TB Team Leader
International Organization for Migration, Nepal
10.2015 - 03.2016
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) - undefined
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
M.Sc. Epidemiology (distance learning) -
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
International Conference on the Health of Refugees and Migrants, Fez, Morocco (Oct 2024)
13th Global Summit of National Ethics Commissions, Lisbon, Portugal (Sep 2022) – Keynote Speaker
Migration Health South Asia (MiHSA) Summer School, online (Jul–Aug 2021)
Workshop on Migration-Sensitive Policy and Health Rights, Bangkok, Thailand (Jun 2019)
International Panel Physician Association (IPPA) Training, Accra, Ghana (Mar 2019) – Keynote Speaker
Country Led Initiative for Implementation Research on Universal Health Coverage (CIRU), Nepal (Feb 2019)
Vaccine Trials: Methods and Best Practices, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA (Aug 2013)
Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice Course, Oxford University/Wellcome Trust (May 2013)
Field Epidemiology Training, Nepal Health Research Council (Dec 2012)
Comprehensive Public Health Science, Research Ethics & Design, Nordic School of Public Health, Sweden (Sep–Oct 2012)
Data Management and Analysis Workshop, Nepal Health Research Council (Dec 2011)
Health System Research Proposal Development Workshop, Nepal Health Research Council (Feb 2011)
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Consultant, Karuna Foundation Nepal, Kathmandu (Aug–Oct 2015)
General Practitioner, Rusayl Health Center, Muscat, Oman (Nov 2013–Jul 2014)
Clinical Research Fellow, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit affiliated to Oxford University, Welcome Trust, Nepal (Apr 2011–Nov 2013 & Nov–Dec 2014)
Teaching Assistant, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Patan Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal (Apr 2011–Nov 2013)
Medical Officer, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center, Kavre, Nepal (Dec 2010–Mar 2011)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Aryal N, Regmi P, Sedhain A, Bhattarai S, KC RK, et al. Chronic Kidney Risk Among Nepalese Migrant Workers in Gulf and Malaysia: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey. medRxiv.
Regmi P, Aryal N, Bhattarai S, Sedhain A, KC RK, et al. Exploring Lifestyles, Work Environment and Health Care Experience of Nepalese Returnee Labour Migrants Diagnosed with Kidney-Related Problems. PLoS One. 2024; 19(8):e0309203.
Regmi P, Aryal N, van Teijlingen E, KC RK, et al. A Qualitative Insight into Pre-Departure Orientation Training for Aspiring Nepalese Migrant Workers. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024; 9(7):150.
Karkee R, Gurung M, Poudel L, KC RK, et al. Health Problems of Nepalese Labour Migrants: A Scoping Review. Submitted to WHO SE Asia Journal of Public Health.
Karkee R., Gurung, M., Poudel, L. et al. Management of health information of nepalese labour migrants. Global Health 19, 30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-00927-8
Aryal N, Sedhain A, Regmi P.R., KC RK, et al. Kidney Health Risk of Migrant Workers: An Issue Can No Longer Overlook. Health Prospect. 2021; 20(1):15-17.
Aryal N, Sedhain A, Regmi P.R., KC RK, et al. Risk of Kidney Health Among Returnee Nepali Migrant Workers: A Survey of Nephrologists. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2021; 12(12):126-132.
KC RK, Chandrasekhar S, Inkocashman M, Duigan P. Migration and COVID-19: Challenges for Nepal in Managing the Mass Exodus of Labor Migrants Returning from India. CESLAM Newsletter, 78, 2020.
Adhikari P, Aryal N, Dhungana RR, KC RK, et al. Accessing Health Services in India: Experiences of Seasonal Migrants Returning to Nepal. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020; 20(1):992.
Dhungana RR, Aryal N, Adhikari P, KC RK, et al. Psychological Morbidity in Nepali Cross-Border Migrants in India: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Health. 2019; 19:1534.
Pangeni R, KC RK. Successfully Managed Organophosphorus Poisoning: A Case Report and Review. JNHRC. 2014; 12(27):200-2.
KC RK, Karkey A, Prajapati KG, Bal K, et al. Fatal Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Seronegative Patient in Nepal. JMM Case Reports. 2014; 1(3):e003103.
Giri A, Aryjal A, Koirala S, Karkey A, KC RK, et al. Aetiologies of Central Nervous System Infections in Adults in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Prospective Hospital-Based Study. Sci Rep. 2013; 3:2382.
Giri A, Khatiwada P, Shrestha B, KC RK. Perceptions of Government Knowledge and Control Over Contributions of Aid Organizations and INGOs to Health in Nepal: A Qualitative Study. Global Health. 2013; 9:1.
References
Available upon request
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Scholarship to study MBBS at Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Scholarship to study Intermediate of Science (I.Sc.) at Kathmandu University
Project Assistant - WASH at International Organization for Migration (IOM- UN Migration)Project Assistant - WASH at International Organization for Migration (IOM- UN Migration)
Migration Health Physician at The International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration)Migration Health Physician at The International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration)
Project Associate - Online Application Module at International Organization for Migration, IOMProject Associate - Online Application Module at International Organization for Migration, IOM