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.If you liked the episode, hear more from us through our free newsletter services, PEI Substack: Of Policies and Politics ( ⁠⁠https://policyentre.substack.com/welcome⁠⁠ ), and click here ( ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/podsbypei⁠⁠ ) to support us on Patreo