Nepal marks International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025 with multi-stakeholder workshop

19 October 2025
Highlights

In observance of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW), the National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC), in collaboration with the Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED) and with technical support from WHO, organized a multi-stakeholder workshop focused on the prevention of lead poisoning in Nepal.

The event brought together over 55 participants from government agencies, academia, industry, media, civil society, and legal sectors to discuss national strategies for reducing lead exposure. Key topics included the development of a Blood Lead Level (BLL) screening policy, enhancement of laboratory infrastructure, and mobilization of sustained resources for testing and response.

Stakeholders actively engaged in the multi-stakeholder workshop held to mark International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

The opening session was chaired by Mr Keshav Raj Pandit, Director of NHEICC. Remarks were delivered by Dr Gampo Dorji, Acting WHO Representative; Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, Senior Public Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health and Population; Mr Prem Lal Shrestha from Nepal Commercial Artist Sangh (NCAS); Mr Bibek Das Shrestha from the Grill and Steel Association Nepal; and Dr Sarad Adhikari from SOPHEN. A video message from Dr Ruediger Krech, Director at WHO Headquarters, was also shared, highlighting the global importance of lead poisoning prevention.

The technical session, chaired by Prof. Dr Sunil Kumar Joshi of Kathmandu Medical College, featured two key presentations. Dr Sudan Raj Panthi, National Professional Officer at WHO Nepal, presented findings from a study on lead in drinking water in Nepal. Mr Ram Charitra Sah from CEPHED discussed the potential sources and current status of lead contamination across the country.

Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, Senior Public Health Administrator at the Ministry of Health and Population (top), and Dr Gampo Dorji, Public Health Advisor at WHO Country Office for Nepal, providing their remarks at the multi-stakeholder workshop. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

A high-level policy dialogue on Blood Lead Levels included representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Department of Environment, the Department of Customs, and Samyak Diagnostic. The session explored policy gaps and opportunities for coordinated action to address lead exposure.

The workshop concluded with remarks from Mr Upendra Dhungana, Senior Public Health Administrator at NHEICC, who summarized key feedback and outlined the way forward. Additional closing remarks were provided by Mrs Namuna Bhusal from the National Child Rights Council and Mr Bhusan Tuladhar, an environmental expert.

Participants endorsed a unified call to action: “No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure.”

A group photo of the participants at the workshop. Photo credit: WHO Nepal

WHO and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nepal in eliminating lead poisoning, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children.

Earlier, on 17 October, a kickoff meeting was held to discuss plans and share information related to ILPPW  activities in Nepal. Key recommendations from the meeting and subsequent discussions include strengthening compliance monitoring of lead in consumer products and expanding national capacity for lead screening and testing. While the national standard for lead in paint is already mandatory and does not require revision, participants emphasized the need to make the current voluntary standards for lead in three cosmetic products - lipstick, skin cream and skin lotion - mandatory. Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of enhancing public awareness, investing in research to identify lead sources beyond paint and developing a comprehensive national action plan to eliminate lead exposure.