KATHMANDU: At a recent gathering of science journalists, researchers, and educators in Kathmandu, Dr. Basant Giri, a senior scientist at the Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences (KIAS), spotlighted how research in Nepal is delivering real-world health solutions. Speaking at the seventh “Meet the Scientist” event hosted by the Nepal Forum of Science Journalists (NFSJ), he emphasized the power of local innovation to address urgent health issues.

Under the theme “Science That Serves: Impacting Lives Through Research in Nepal,” Dr. Giri detailed research on counterfeit drug detection, AI-assisted smartphone microscopy, face mask efficiency, and iodine content in salt. He cited data showing 13.6 percent of medical products in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified, with over 100,000 deaths annually.

Dr. Giri also showcased several low-cost and practical tools designed to meet Nepal’s public health needs. Among them: a paper test to detect counterfeit antidiabetic drugs costing just Rs. 50 per test, and a smartphone microscope powered by AI for parasite detection in remote areas.

He also discussed findings from a large-scale citizen-science project that tested iodine levels in household salt. Results showed an average of 547 micrograms per day, more than three times the WHO-recommended amount, raising questions about potential over-iodization.

Dr. Giri, whose works are published in top global science journals, shared that “science in Nepal is not easy, but it’s possible and powerful.” He stressed the importance of collaboration, creativity, and belief in the ability of science to improve lives.

The event was praised by NFSJ President Rajan Pokhrel for making complex science understandable to the public, while World Federation of Science Journalists Vice President Chhatra Karki underlined the importance of such forums to strengthen science journalism in Nepal.  "Journalists should be aware about scientific facts and findings to make story reliable.... Such program should be organized regularly to enhance the capacity of science journalists," Karki added.