6th NRN Global Health Conference

"Reverse Migration with Global Collaboration "

2026-12-04 - 2026-12-05

Janakpur,Madhesh Province, Nepal

event

From brain drain to brain circulation, and from brain circulation to brain gain

The Sixth NRN Global Health Conference 2026 will be held in the historic city of Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal, on 4–5 December 2026. The conference is an international platform for government leaders, health professionals, academics, researchers, international organisations, development partners, private-sector organisations and members of the Nepali diaspora.

The theme, “Reverse Migration with Global Collaboration”, reflects an important opportunity for Nepal. The movement of health professionals across borders should not be viewed only as a loss of human resources. With appropriate policies, partnerships and opportunities, migration can become a mechanism for knowledge transfer, capacity building, innovation, investment and health-system strengthening.

Nepal has a large and highly skilled global health diaspora. Nepalese doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, public-health specialists, researchers and other health professionals make significant contributions internationally. The conference aims to connect this expertise with the needs and priorities of Nepal.

Janakpur provides an important setting for this conversation. As the capital of Madhesh Province and an important cultural and educational centre, it provides an opportunity to take global health collaboration beyond Kathmandu and strengthen connections with provincial and local health systems.

Conference objectives

  • Develop practical approaches to reverse migration and diaspora engagement.
  • Create opportunities for overseas Nepali health professionals to contribute to Nepal’s health system.
  • Establish international hospital and university partnerships.
  • Promote medical education, fellowships, specialist training and visiting faculty programmes.
  • Strengthen research, innovation and international collaboration.
  • Promote digital health, telemedicine and technology transfer.
  • Encourage diaspora investment in Nepal’s health sector.
  • Strengthen health services in Madhesh Province and other underserved areas.
  • Develop a sustainable national framework for global health collaboration.

Anticipated legacy

A major anticipated outcome is the “Janakpur Declaration on Reverse Migration and Global Health Collaboration 2026”, intended to provide a framework for future collaboration among governments, universities, healthcare institutions, development partners and the global Nepali health community. The conference also aims to establish a Janakpur Global Health Network to facilitate continuing partnerships in research, education, specialist exchange, digital health, mentorship, healthcare innovation and health-system strengthening.

Message from the Chairs

Welcome to Janakpur

It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the Sixth NRN Global Health Conference 2026, which will be held in the historic city of Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal, on 4–5 December 2026.

This year’s theme, “Reverse Migration with Global Collaboration”, reflects an important opportunity for Nepal. The movement of healthcare professionals across borders should not be viewed only as a loss of human resources. With the right policies, partnerships and opportunities, migration can become a powerful mechanism for knowledge transfer, capacity building, innovation, investment and health-system strengthening.

The conference will bring together government leaders, health professionals, academics, researchers, international organisations, development partners, private-sector organisations and members of the Nepali diaspora. We will discuss practical approaches to reverse migration, international training, research collaboration, digital health, healthcare investment, innovation and strengthening health services, particularly in underserved communities.

Importantly, this conference should not end with two days of discussion. We hope to develop long-term partnerships and measurable commitments, including visiting faculty programmes, specialist training, research collaborations, hospital and university partnerships, mentorship programmes, digital-health initiatives and opportunities for diaspora investment.

We warmly invite colleagues from Nepal and around the world to join us in Janakpur. Let us move from brain drain to brain circulation, and from brain circulation to brain gain, creating a model of global collaboration that can contribute to a stronger, more equitable and sustainable health system for Nepal.

Prof. Dr. Sunil Sah
Chair, Conference Organising Committee

Prof. Dr. Padam Simkhada
Chair, Scientific Committee

Prof. Dr. Ankur Shah
Chair, Local Organising Committee; Vice-Chancellor, Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences


                                                                         Call for Papers


Invitation to submit

Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, diaspora professionals and institutional partners are invited to contribute work relevant to the conference theme. Submissions should demonstrate relevance to global health, Nepal’s health priorities, diaspora engagement, health-system strengthening or international collaboration.

Proposed thematic areas

  • Migration, reverse migration, brain circulation and diaspora engagement
  • Disasters response, health protection and health security
  • Health systems, policy, governance and workforce
  • Research, evidence translation and innovation
  • Digital health, telemedicine and technology transfer
  • Medical and health-professional education, fellowships and specialist training
  • Maternal, child and reproductive health
  • Non-communicable diseases and mental health
  • Climate change, emergencies and planetary health
  • Health equity and services for underserved communities
  • Diaspora investment and institutional partnerships

    Submission information requiring final approval

    Abstract word limit

    300 words

    Submission deadline

    30 October 2026

    Decision date

    9 November 2026

    Presentation formats

    [oral / poster / panel / workshop, as approved]

    Submission method

    By Email

Basic Informations

Our Committee

Main Organising Committee

Prof. Dr. Sunil Sah

Prof. Dr. Sunil Sah

Chair, Global Health Committee NRNA
Uk
Miss Prasuna Kadel

Miss Prasuna Kadel

NRNA ICC Secretary
Dr Santosh Kumar Yadav

Dr Santosh Kumar Yadav

Conference , Secretary- General
Dr. Sarita Pandey

Dr. Sarita Pandey

South Africa
⁠Prof. Dipak Sapkota

⁠Prof. Dipak Sapkota

⁠Prof. Dr. Dharmendra Karn

⁠Prof. Dr. Dharmendra Karn

⁠Dr. Manoj Singh

⁠Dr. Manoj Singh

Dr. Prabhat Adhikari

Dr. Prabhat Adhikari

Dr. Khagendra Chapagain

Dr. Khagendra Chapagain

Dr. Lushun Chalise

Dr. Lushun Chalise

Dr. Sagar Poudel

Dr. Sagar Poudel

Dr. Nitesh Aryal

Dr. Nitesh Aryal

Dr. Rabindra Yadav

Dr. Rabindra Yadav

Dr. Aliza KC Bhandari

Dr. Aliza KC Bhandari

Mr. Dilip Kumar Pokharel

Mr. Dilip Kumar Pokharel

Miss Prateeti Ghimire

Miss Prateeti Ghimire

Mr. Arjun Shrestha

Mr. Arjun Shrestha

Ms. Anisha Bhandari

Ms. Anisha Bhandari

Dr. Rakesh Shah

Dr. Rakesh Shah

Secretary

Local Organizing Committee

Prof. Dr. Ankur Shah

Prof. Dr. Ankur Shah

Chair, Local Organising Committee; Vice-Chancellor, Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences
Prof. Dr. Ram Naresh Pandit

Prof. Dr. Ram Naresh Pandit

Dr. Jamun Prasad Singh

Dr. Jamun Prasad Singh

Ram Chandra Silwal

Ram Chandra Silwal

Dr Pramod Joshi

Dr Pramod Joshi

Scientific Committee

Prof. Dr. Padam Simkhada

Prof. Dr. Padam Simkhada

Chair, Scientific Committee
Prof. Dr. Binod Yadav

Prof. Dr. Binod Yadav

Madesh Institute of Health Sciences
Dr Rajeeb Kumar Sah

Dr Rajeeb Kumar Sah

Co-Chair, Scientific Committee
Prof Dr Sujan Babu Marahatta

Prof Dr Sujan Babu Marahatta

VC- Purbanchal University Nepal
Prof Dr Dharmendra Karna

Prof Dr Dharmendra Karna

Prof Dr Dharmendra Karna KU Nepal
Dr Meghnath Dhimal

Dr Meghnath Dhimal

NHRC Nepal
Prof Dr Krishna Poudel

Prof Dr Krishna Poudel

UMASS- USA
Dr Bibha Simkhada

Dr Bibha Simkhada

University of Huddersfield, UK
Dr Biraj Karmacharya

Dr Biraj Karmacharya

Kathmandu University
Dr Lalita Kumari Sah

Dr Lalita Kumari Sah

University of Bradford
Prof Dr Julie Balen

Prof Dr Julie Balen

CCCU- UK
Dr Santosh Gahire

Dr Santosh Gahire

Aberdeen University, UK
Professor Dr Daya Ram Lamsal

Professor Dr Daya Ram Lamsal

Chitwan Medical College Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Dr Shyam Thapa

Dr Shyam Thapa

WHO/USA
Dr Krishna Adhikari

Dr Krishna Adhikari

University of Oxford, UK
Prof Chandra Kala Sharma

Prof Chandra Kala Sharma

NAN- Nepal
Mr Rajan Poudel

Mr Rajan Poudel

Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Nepal
Dr Bindu Devkota-Sapkota

Dr Bindu Devkota-Sapkota

University of Warwick
Prof Dr Paras Kumar Pokharel

Prof Dr Paras Kumar Pokharel

B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) Dharan, Nepal
Dr Robin Pathak

Dr Robin Pathak

Parkland Health and Healthcare System, USA
USA

Advisor

Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota

Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota

Advisor,Former Chairperson, NRNA Global Health Committee
Richa Banjara

Richa Banjara

Liason Officer , nrnaglobalhealth@nrna.org ,9779840465253
Nepal
Lomash Dhamala

Lomash Dhamala

Marketing Manager, Lantang Ri, +977 9823010252
Nepal

Media Committee

Mr. Chiran Sharma

Mr. Chiran Sharma

Bhagirath Yogi

Bhagirath Yogi

Atul Mishra

Atul Mishra

Anuradha Poudel

Anuradha Poudel

Program Schedule

Friday, 4 December 2026

  • Opening ceremony and welcome
  • Keynote address
  • Invited and thematic contributions
  • Scientific and policy sessions
  • Partnership and networking discussions

Saturday, 5 December 2026

  • Scientific sessions
  • Institutional and diaspora engagement
  • Collaboration and legacy discussions
  • Next steps for the proposed Janakpur Declaration and Global Health Network

From brain drain to brain circulation, and from brain circulation to brain gain

The Sixth NRN Global Health Conference 2026 will be held in the historic city of Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal, on 4–5 December 2026. The conference is an international platform for government leaders, health professionals, academics, researchers, international organisations, development partners, private-sector organisations and members of the Nepali diaspora.

The theme, “Reverse Migration with Global Collaboration”, reflects an important opportunity for Nepal. The movement of health professionals across borders should not be viewed only as a loss of human resources. With appropriate policies, partnerships and opportunities, migration can become a mechanism for knowledge transfer, capacity building, innovation, investment and health-system strengthening.

Nepal has a large and highly skilled global health diaspora. Nepalese doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, public-health specialists, researchers and other health professionals make significant contributions internationally. The conference aims to connect this expertise with the needs and priorities of Nepal.

Janakpur provides an important setting for this conversation. As the capital of Madhesh Province and an important cultural and educational centre, it provides an opportunity to take global health collaboration beyond Kathmandu and strengthen connections with provincial and local health systems.

Conference objectives

  • Develop practical approaches to reverse migration and diaspora engagement.
  • Create opportunities for overseas Nepali health professionals to contribute to Nepal’s health system.
  • Establish international hospital and university partnerships.
  • Promote medical education, fellowships, specialist training and visiting faculty programmes.
  • Strengthen research, innovation and international collaboration.
  • Promote digital health, telemedicine and technology transfer.
  • Encourage diaspora investment in Nepal’s health sector.
  • Strengthen health services in Madhesh Province and other underserved areas.
  • Develop a sustainable national framework for global health collaboration.
  • Develop a sustainable national framework for global health collaboration.

Anticipated legacy

A major anticipated outcome is the “Janakpur Declaration on Reverse Migration and Global Health Collaboration 2026”, intended to provide a framework for future collaboration among governments, universities, healthcare institutions, development partners and the global Nepali health community. The conference also aims to establish a Janakpur Global Health Network to facilitate continuing partnerships in research, education, specialist exchange, digital health, mentorship, healthcare innovation and health-system strengthening.

Message from the Chairs

Welcome to Janakpur

It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the Sixth NRN Global Health Conference 2026, which will be held in the historic city of Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal, on 4–5 December 2026.

This year’s theme, “Reverse Migration with Global Collaboration”, reflects an important opportunity for Nepal. The movement of healthcare professionals across borders should not be viewed only as a loss of human resources. With the right policies, partnerships and opportunities, migration can become a powerful mechanism for knowledge transfer, capacity building, innovation, investment and health-system strengthening.

The conference will bring together government leaders, health professionals, academics, researchers, international organisations, development partners, private-sector organisations and members of the Nepali diaspora. We will discuss practical approaches to reverse migration, international training, research collaboration, digital health, healthcare investment, innovation and strengthening health services, particularly in underserved communities.

Importantly, this conference should not end with two days of discussion. We hope to develop long-term partnerships and measurable commitments, including visiting faculty programmes, specialist training, research collaborations, hospital and university partnerships, mentorship programmes, digital-health initiatives and opportunities for diaspora investment.

We warmly invite colleagues from Nepal and around the world to join us in Janakpur. Let us move from brain drain to brain circulation, and from brain circulation to brain gain, creating a model of global collaboration that can contribute to a stronger, more equitable and sustainable health system for Nepal.

Prof. Dr. Sunil Sah
Chair, Conference Organising Committee

Prof. Dr. Padam Simkhada
Chair, Scientific Committee

Prof. Dr. Ankur Shah
Chair, Local Organising Committee; Vice-Chancellor, Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences


                                                                         Call for Papers


Invitation to submit

Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, diaspora professionals and institutional partners are invited to contribute work relevant to the conference theme. Submissions should demonstrate relevance to global health, Nepal’s health priorities, diaspora engagement, health-system strengthening or international collaboration.

Proposed thematic areas

  • Migration, reverse migration, brain circulation and diaspora engagement
  • Disasters response, health protection and health security
  • Health systems, policy, governance and workforce
  • Research, evidence translation and innovation
  • Digital health, telemedicine and technology transfer
  • Medical and health-professional education, fellowships and specialist training
  • Maternal, child and reproductive health
  • Non-communicable diseases and mental health
  • Climate change, emergencies and planetary health
  • Health equity and services for underserved communities
  • Diaspora investment and institutional partnerships

    Submission information requiring final approval

    Abstract word limit

    300 words

    Submission deadline

    30 October 2026

    Decision date

    9 November 2026

    Presentation formats

    [oral / poster / panel / workshop, as approved]

    Submission method

    By Email

    Contact

    abstract.health@nrna.org

    Suggested abstract fields

  • Abstract title  
  • Author names and affiliations and contact details (email)
  • Presenting author and email
  • Background
  • Aim or objectives
  • Methods or approach
  • Results or anticipated results
  • Conclusion and implications
  • Up to five keywords
  • Preferred presentation format
  • Review statement

    All submissions will be considered through the conference’s approved scientific review process. Detailed assessment criteria, decision arrangements and presenter guidance should be added after approval by the Scientific Committee.

Click Here: To Download the Abstract Submission Form



Click Here to Download Program Schedule


 

Downloads

1.
 Final Draft for compendium 5th GNHC

Contact Us

For enquiries about attendance, abstracts, speakers, partnership, sponsorship or media, please contact the Conference Secretariat.

Conference Secretariat

Sixth NRN Global Health Conference 2026

Location

Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal

Email

info@nrna.org

Telephone

014511530, +977-9840465253

Registration enquiries

nrnaglobalhealth@nrna.org

Media enquiries

contact@nrna.org