DR. ARUNA UPRETY
Dr. Aruna Uprety is
a seasoned healthcare professional with a passion for
improving the lives of underserved communities. In 1993, she founded the Rural
Health Education Service Trust, an organization dedicated to providing better
healthcare and education to rural communities in Nepal, with a focus on
empowering women and girls. With her extensive experience in the health sector
and deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by Nepalese women in
rural areas, Dr. Uprety has successfully led the organization to provide
financial support for at-risk girls and
improve access to healthcare for thousands of people.
In addition to her
work in Nepal, Dr. Uprety has also served as a health advisor in other
developing countries such as India, Laos, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Iran. She
holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Kharkov State Medical Institute in
Ukraine and a Master's degree in Women and Development from the Institute of
Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands. With her exceptional leadership and
dedication to improving the lives of those in need, Dr. Uprety is a true
champion for social change.
While attending a
seminar on HIV/AIDS in Mumbai, India, Dr. Aruna Uprety was deeply impacted by the stories of the women and girls she met in the brothels. One
particularly devastating encounter was with a young Nepalese girl who had just given
birth and was hospitalized with a positive HIV diagnosis. Tragically, Dr.
Uprety later learned that the girl had passed away.
These experiences,
combined with her visits to rural areas of Nepal where she observed the dire
socio-economic conditions and lack of education and healthcare for women,
compelled Dr. Uprety to take action. She
was particularly troubled by the high rates of domestic violence, child marriage, and human trafficking facing girls in these communities.
Determined to make a
difference, Dr. Uprety founded an organization dedicated to empowering women
and girls through education and healthcare. With the support of her family, she
began by providing education and resources for 25 marginalized girls in the
Syangja District of Nepal. She also worked to raise awareness about issues such
as girl trafficking and violence against women, and the importance of education
for women.
Through her efforts,
Dr. Uprety connected with the American Himalayan Foundation (AHF) and together
they expanded their work to 18 districts. Today, RHEST and AHF continue to work
together to empower and improve the lives of women and girls in Nepal.
RHEST