Hi! I’m Pratistha Dhakal, a public health professional, registered nurse, and Research Officer at HERD International.
With over two years of clinical nursing experience and more than three and a half years in public health research, my work focuses on strengthening health systems, driving evidence-based policies, and creating solutions that empower communities.
My Journey
I began my career in clinical practice, working as an Anesthesia Nurse at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences and later as an OCMC Nurse at Western Regional Hospital, where I supported Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors. These early experiences taught me the importance of holistic care, dignity, and system-level solutions.
My passion for equity-driven healthcare led me into public health, where I now combine my clinical background with research, policy advocacy, and community engagement.
What I Do at HERD International
At HERD International, I work on multi-sector health projects focused on improving healthcare systems, data-driven decision-making, and capacity-building.
Some key projects I’ve contributed to:
- Rebuild for Resilience (R4R) → Strengthening Nepal’s health system to withstand future crises.
- Nepal Every Newborn Action Plan (NENAP) → Reducing newborn mortality through improved care pathways.
- COSTAR Project → Training health professionals and communities to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- MICROPOLL Project → Supporting quantitative data management and advancing health research.
I also facilitate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes, ensuring evidence translates into actionable insights.
