Biography
Ms. Anchal Thapa is a dedicated health economist researcher specializing in economic evaluations alongside implementation research. She has been working as the Deputy Research Manager at Birat Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT) for over three years. Her expertise includes analyzing patient cost surveys, conducting economic evaluations, and applying health economics principles to public health interventions to inform policy development. She is engaged in research on cost-effective strategies for tuberculosis case detection, treatment and prevention.
Key Impacts
DronEconomics: The cost of implementing drones to facilitate TB sputum sample collection in hard-to-reach areas in Nepal
The use of drones for sputum transport in remote communities in Pyuthan is feasible but costs are currently highly driven by capital and start-up costs. However, sensitivity analysis demonstrates that significant cost reductions can be achieved by increasing operation intensity and continuing the implementation by prioritizing use of local human resources. There is a need to secure long-term funding to ensure uninterrupted operation and optimize resource allocation to maximise the potential benefits.
Source: Conference 2024