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Senior Health Administrator, Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Government of Nepal

Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari is a distinguished Senior Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Government of Nepal. Holding master’s degrees in public health (MPH) and Clinical Psychology (MAClPsy), he brings over a decade of leadership in health emergency management, national policy formulation, and global health diplomacy.

Nationally recognized for his strategic crisis leadership, Dr. Adhikari spearheaded Nepal’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the Chief of the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) and served as the official Ministry Spokesperson from 2020 to 2024. In recognition of his exemplary national service during the pandemic, he was conferred the prestigious Prabal Janasewashree state honor by the President of Nepal.

A key architect of national health reforms, Dr. Adhikari has led and shaped landmark statutory frameworks, including the National Health Financing Strategy (2080–2090), the Nepal Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023–2030), the National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change and Health, and the Multisectoral Action Plans for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

On the global stage, he regularly represents Nepal as an international expert and focal point across key multilateral platforms, including the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), the Pandemic Fund, the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH), and Joint External Evaluations (JEE) under the International Health Regulations (IHR), Green Climate Fund(GCF), Global Fund. An active researcher and faculty member, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading global journals focusing on emergency preparedness, health systems resilience, and epidemiology.

Executive Highlights

• Current Role: Senior Health Administrator & Spokesperson, Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Nepal.
• Strategic Impact: Core contributor to National Health Emergency Plan and Response, Nepal’s National Health Policy, Health Financing Strategy, and Climate Change Health Adaptation plans.