OUCRU Nepal (OUCRU network)

OUCRU Nepal was established in 2003 and is part of the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health at the University of Oxford. We are committed to advancing health outcomes through research and collaboration. In Nepal, we work closely with the National Academy of Medical Sciences in Kathmandu.

OUCRU Nepal’s mission is to achieve local, regional and global impact on health by leading a locally driven research programme focused on infectious diseases. Established in 2003, the unit has grown into a respected and integral part of both the hospital and the wider community it serves, where most of its research and public health initiatives are conducted.

For over two decades, OUCRU Nepal has been dedicated to tackling enteric fever, a major public health concern in the region. Research has centred on Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi, with work encompassing treatment effectiveness, spatiotemporal mapping, molecular epidemiology, and surveillance studies to guide typhoid vaccine deployment. As this research enters its final phase, efforts are now focused on controlling gallbladder carriage—a persistent reservoir that continues transmission even in vaccinated populations.

In response to the rapid rise in dengue cases, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, OUCRU Nepal has expanded its research to address this emerging threat. Studies aim to better understand disease burden, sequence circulating viral strains, and improve diagnostic tools—key components in strengthening public health responses.

In addition, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing challenge to the effective management of infectious diseases in Nepal. OUCRU Nepal is working to establish hospital-based surveillance systems and implement antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes in collaboration with policymakers, supporting more responsible and sustainable antibiotic use.

Looking ahead, the research agenda includes expanding into tuberculosis (TB), with a focus on clinical trials to evaluate preventive therapeutic strategies. By generating robust evidence for improved TB prevention, OUCRU Nepal seeks to contribute meaningfully to national and global efforts to reduce its burden.

At the heart of the unit’s work is a commitment to clinical research that delivers real-world impact. Through clinical trials and evidence-based studies, OUCRU Nepal aims to inform public health interventions and shape policies that improve patient care—ensuring that research findings benefit communities in Nepal and beyond.