Dr Buddha Basnyat on Poor Man’s Disease: The Persistent Challenge of Tuberculosis in Nepal

In this episode, Ben and Buddha discuss infectious diseases in Nepal, focusing on tuberculosis (TB). They highlight Nepal's epidemiological shift from to non-communicable diseases, while noting that TB continues to disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable populations, framing it as a “poor man’s disease” shaped by poverty. Despite effective, low-cost preventative therapies and lessons from past successes, TB persists due to limited funding, attention, and advocacy.  

Dr Buddha Basnyat is a physician and clinical researcher. A leading expert in infectious diseases, high-altitude medicine, and antimicrobial resistance in Nepal,  he has conducted landmark typhoid treatment trials and shaped national antibiotic guidelines. He co-founded Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal and was recently honored with the (NHRC) Lifetime Achievement Award for Health Research in Nepal, recognizing his exceptional.

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