Postgraduate Profile

Mr Asha Lal Tamang

PhD Candidate, School of Humanities & Social Science

Discipline:                 Sociology and Anthropology
Faculty/Division:       Education and Arts
Phone:                         + 61 434 559 302
Email:                         c3066450@uon.edu.au
Location:                   Behavioural Sciences Building, Room W 215
Campus:                    Callaghan Campus, Newcastle

Current Research

PhD Thesis: Experiences of Civil Conflict in Nepal
The aim of this thesis is to explore experiences of how the political insurgencies have impinged on, and transformed the everyday life of community members during a period of political and societal upheaval in Nepal. It will examine level of access to basic social services and types of strategies adopted for survival from a perspective grounded in the everyday life of community members in the context of civil conflict. The conflict killed more than 13000 people, damaged innumerable properties, affected the social services making the situation of marginalised people more difficult, and affected national economy negatively pushing one of the poorest countries towards the negative direction. The conflict played fundamental role to end autocratic monarchy and hereby, to declare Nepal as a 'Federal Democratic Republic'. The leaders of the youngest Republic promise sustained change and development in Nepal, ensuring that people's access to basic social services increased, economic and other livelihood opportunities boosted and the institutionalisation of the democracy established. Employing qualitative techniques -focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and extended family case studies- the study aims to generate empowering knowledge in the new Nepalese context of a Federal Republic. It takes the form of a comparative study of two groups: a) a marginalised indigenous people - the Tamangs; and b) dominant non-indigenous people - the Bahun-Chhetris. This thesis will contribute to the epistemology of people's movements, political insurgencies and violence that have impacted on and transformed the society of developing countries. Most importantly, this thesis will make visible the roles played by rural people in the process of making histories or bringing changes in a state governance system that have been under-stated, and under-researched.

Qualifications

  • 2002, Postgraduate Certificate in Health District Management: Planning and Programme Designing, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
  • 2001, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care & Management in Tropical Countries, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
  • 1999, Master's Degree in Sociology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • 1998, Diploma in Human Resources Development, All India Council for Management Studies, Chennai, India
  • 1996, Bachelor's Degree in Education, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • 1992, Proficiency Certificate in General Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Scholarships & Grants

  • 2008-2012, Australian Leadership Award (ALA) Scholarship, Australian Government.
  • 2007, Travel Grant, Inter-Church Cooperation Organisation, the Netherlands.
  • 2004, Travel Grant, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, UK.
  • 2004, Travel Grant, ARCH Project, Boston University, USA.
  • 2003 Travel Grant, Inter-Church Cooperation Organisation, the Netherlands.
  • 2001-2002, Postgraduate Scholarship, Swiss Tropical Institute, Switzerland.
  • 2000, Travel Grants, World Health Organisation, Switzerland/Thailand.
  • 1989-1992, College Scholarship, United Mission to Nepal, Nepal.

Referred Journal Articles

Tamang, AL & Broom, A 2010, 'The practice and meanings of spiritual healing in Nepal', South Asian History and Culture, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 328-340.

Holloway, KA, Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Kafle, KK, Pradhan, R & Reeves, BC 2009, 'Community intervention to promote rational treatment of acute respiratory infection in rural Nepal', Tropical Medicine and International Health, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 101-110.

Holloway, KA, Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Pradhan, R & Reeves, BC 2008, 'The effect of user fees on prescribing quality in rural Nepal: two controlled pre-post studies to compare a fee per drug unit vs. a fee per drug item', Tropical Medicine and International Health, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1-7.

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Mishra, G, Banez-Ockelford, J, Saunders, P & Rai, C  2005, 'Improving access of drugs to poor households in a cost sharing drug scheme: wealth ranking approach', Nepal Medical College Journal, Nepal, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 26-31.

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Dahal, S, & Saunders, P 2000, 'Cost Sharing Drug Scheme (CSDS): an experience from Chhyangthapu Health Post', Journal of Institute of Medicine, Nepal, vol. 22, no. 1 & 2, pp. 32-40.

Referred Conference Publications

Tamang, AL & Acharya, BK 2008, 'Migration: a Gateway to HIV/AIDS', Social Sciences in a Multicultural World: Proceedings of the International Conference, 11-13 December 2006, Kathmandu, Sociological/Anthropological Society of Nepal (SASON) & Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), pp. 516-533.

Yonjan-Lama, D & Tamang, AL 2008, 'Impact of NGOs on Empowering People Living with HIV Positive (PLHP) (Conference Abstract)', XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2008, Mexico City, Mexico. Available here

Tamang, AL 2007, 'Linkages between TB Service Sites and HIV Service Sites to Access TB Services by People Living with HIV Positive (PLHP)', Souvenir: 23rd All Nepal Medical Conference, 1-7 November 2007, Nepal Medical Association, Nepal, pp. 8-19.

Tamang, AL, Rai, C, Karkee, SB, Ghimire, CM & Thakali, P 2006, 'Migrants, Sex and Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS (Conference Abstract)', XVI International AIDS Conference, 13-18 August 2006, Toronto, Canada. Available here

Tamang, AL, Rai, C, Bhattarai, L, Mishra, G, Paudel, H, Aryal, T, Dahal, R & Shah, CN 2006, 'What is in a name? People living with HIV-positive diagnosis in Nepal object to the terms used to describe them (Conference Abstract)', XVI International AIDS Conference, 13-18 August 2006, Toronto, Canada. Available here

Tamang, AL, Karkee, SB, Gurung, YB, Rai, C, Holloway, K & Kafle, KK 2004, 'Assessing Community Members' Understanding and Practices in Treating ARI in Rural Nepal (Conference Abstract)', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Holloway, KA, Kafle, KK, Rai, C & Pradhan, R 2004, 'Community Intervention to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection in Rural Nepal (Conference Abstract)', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here

Holloway, KA, Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Pradhan, R & Reeves, BC 2004, 'Impact on prescribing patterns of a fee per drug unit versus a fee per drug item', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here

Conference/Seminar Presentations

Tamang, AL & Broom, A 2008, 'The Practice of Traditional Healing in Nepal', Health, culture and religion in South Asia: Interdisciplinary and cross-national social science perspectives, an International Workshop, 12-13 November 2008, The Australian National University, Australia.

Tamang, AL 2008, 'The Experiences of Civil Conflict in Nepal', Research Higher Degree Symposium: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3 November 2008, The University of Newcastle, Australia.

Tamang, AL 2007, 'Linkages between TB Service Sites and HIV Service Sites to Access TB Services by People Living with HIV Positive (PLHP)', 23rd All Nepal Medical Conference, 1-7 November 2007, Nepal Medical Association, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2007, 'Rights-Based Approach and Achievements in BNMT Working Area', the Inter-Church Cooperation Organisation (ICCO/Netherlands) Partner Consultation Meeting, 9-13 September 2007, Bangkok, Thailand.

Tamang, AL 2007, 'Child-to-Child (CTC): a rights-based approach', National Seminar of School Health Programme, CCS-Italy, Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL & Acharya, BK 2006, 'Migration: a Gateway to HIV/AIDS', International Conference: Social Sciences in a Multicultural World, 11-13 December 2006, Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL, Karkee, SB & Holloway, KA 2004, 'Assessing Community Members' Understanding and Practices in Treating ARI in Rural Nepal', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here 

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL & Holloway, KA 2004, 'Community Intervention to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection in Rural Nepal (Conference Abstract)', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here 

Holloway, KA, Karkee, SB & Tamang, AL 2004, 'Impact on prescribing patterns of a fee per drug unit versus a fee per drug item', International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines, 30 March - 2 April, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Available here

Theses

Tamang, AL 2001, Socio-economic Status and Use of Primary Health Care Services: a Sociological Study in Sankhuwasabha District, Master's Degree Thesis, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 1996, Assessment of Health Behaviour of Community People in Chapagaun Village, Bachelor's Degree Mini-Thesis, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Books and Manuals

Tamang, AL 2007, Orientation and Facilitation Guideline: Health Volunteers Mobilisation Programme for Health Rights and Health Improvement, National Tuberculosis Centre and the Britain Nepal Medical Trust.

Tamang, AL 2005, A Manual for Peer Education in Life Skills for Out-of-School Youths to Control Spread of HIV/AIDS, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust and Nepal Red Cross Society, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2005, A Manual for Drama and Cultural Shows to Control Spread of HIV/AIDS, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2004, Training Manuals for the Mobilisation of Satisfied Clients to Reduce TB Infection, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2004, Community Intervention Package to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Rural Nepal, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2003, Training Package for Data Collectors on Community Intervention Study to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Rural Nepal, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2002, Drug Schemes Management and Rational Use of Drugs Training Manuals for Local Health Committees, Health Workers and Community Members, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL (ed.) 1999, Pahilyaunu Parne Sahee Bato: a Collection of Health Related Stories for Child-to-Child Programme on Drug Schemes, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Chapters in Books/ Reports

Tamang, AL & Broom, A 2010, 'The Practice and Meanings of Spiritual Healing in Nepal', in A Doron & A Broom (eds), Health, Culture and Religion in South Asia, Routledge.

Tamang, AL & Rai, C 2008, 'the Britain Nepal Medical Trust: Programme Performance 2006', in Annual Report: Department of Health Services 2006/2007, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL 2003, 'Pain and Gains in the Drug Schemes Programme', in Change: Painful and Hopeful, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Annual Report 2002/2003, Tonbridge, UK.

Tamang, AL 2002, 'Drug Schemes Programme (DSP): Challenges and Changes', in the Britain Nepal Medical Trust: Annual Report 2001, Tonbridge, UK.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2001, 'the Britain Nepal Medical Trust: Drug Schemes Programme', in Annual Report: Department of Health Services 1999/2000, Ministry of Health, His Majesty's Government of Nepal, Kathmandu.

Commissioned Reports

Tamang, AL, Karkee, SB & Rai, C 2007, Health Development Programme: Annual Reports 1998 to 2006, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2007, National Tuberculosis Programme Support Project: Progress Report May 2006 to April 2007, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to National Tuberculosis Centre and the Global Fund, Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL 2007, Translating Human Rights into Health Realities in Nepal: Progress Report 2006, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Inter-Church Development Cooperation (ICCO), the Netherlands.

Tamang, AL & Rai, C 2006, Health Improvement through the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases: Final Project Report 1 January 2003 - 31 December 2005, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Simavi, the Netherlands.

Tamang, AL & Rai, C 2006, Health Improvement Programme: Final Report May 2003 - April 2006, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Big Lottery Fund (BLF), UK.

Tamang, AL & Rai, C 2006, Support to the National Tuberculosis Control Programme in the Eastern Development Region of Nepal: Project Progress Report April 2005 - March 2006, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to World Health Organization (WHO), Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2005, Sankhuwasabha Drug Scheme Project: End of Project Report (July 2001 - June 2004), the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2002, Terhathum Community Drug Programme: Annual Report 2001/2002, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to AusAID Country Office, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tamang, AL, Mishra, G & Chaudhary, R 2007, Safe Motherhood Plan 2002 -2017 and Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH) in Nepal: an Assessment of Policy, Its Implementation and Implications Using Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument (HeRWAI), the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Aim for Human Rights, the Netherlands.

Tamang, AL, Karkee, SB, & Rai, C 2006, Assessment Report 2003: Health Improvement Programme, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL & Shrestha, S 2005, Assessing Linkages between HIV Service Sites and TB Service Sites in order to Access TB Services for People Living with HIV Positive (PLHP), the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Family Health International (FHI), Kathmandu.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2002, an Evaluation of Drug Schemes Programme in Eastern Nepal: Final Report 2002, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2006, an Operational Research Report on Mobilization of Satisfied Clients to Improve TB Control Programme in Siraha District, National Tuberculosis Centre and the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL & Karkee SB 2006, an Operational Research Report on Promoting Public-Private Partnership for Improving Tuberculosis Control Programme in Eastern Nepal, National Tuberculosis Centre and the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL 2005, HIV/AIDS Vulnerability Assessment on the Returning Migrant Communities: a Study for the Global Fund (GF), the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kathmandu. 

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL & Gurung, YB 2004, Community Intervention Study to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in Rural Nepal: Final Report, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Applied Research on Child Health (ARCH) Project Centre for International Health Boston University, USA,

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL & Gurung, YB 2002, Final Pre-Intervention Report on the Community Intervention Study to Promote Rational Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in Rural Nepal, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, submitted to Policy, Access and Rational Use, Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy, World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva and Rational Pharmaceutical Management (RPM) Plus Programme, Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, USA.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB (eds) 2002, A Report on DHO/PHO Meeting/Workshop on Drug Schemes Programme 15-16 February 2002, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL, Mishra, G, Shrestha, G, Paudyal, S & Ghimire, CM 2001, a Report on Drug Scheme Training for Village Development Committee (VDC) Woman Representative, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL, Paudyal, S & Gurung, DS 2001, a Report on Drug Schemes Management workshop for Hospital Development Support Committee, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB (eds) 2000, a Report on Teachers' Workshop on Child to Child  Programme 16-18 October 1999, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL, Gurung, YB, Ghimire, CM, Paudyal, S, Gurung, DS & Paudel, HR 2000, a Report on Drug Scheme Management Training for Local Health Support Committee and Health Institution Staff 1999/2000, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Dhungana, S, Ghimire, CM, Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2000, a Report on Drug Scheme Training for Female Community Health Volunteers and Traditional Birth Attendants, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Ghimire, CM, Tamang, AL & Karkee, SB 2000, Child-to-Child Programme: a Report on Training of School Children, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Karkee, SB, Tamang, AL & Ghimire, CM 1999, a Training Report on Rational Use of Drugs for Prescribers, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

Employment History

May 2006 to December 2007, Programme Director: Responsible for overall programme oversight with specific priority on operational planning, management to insure adherence to plan, fund raising, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and management of a regional office, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

August 2005 to April 2006, Project Director: Responsible for overall activities of the HIV/AIDS project funded by GFATM/UNDP, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

January 2005 to April 2006, Programme Manager: Responsible for overall planning, monitoring, evaluation, research and documentation of programmes, and management of Sagarmatha and Mechi area offices, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

January 2003 to December 2004, Health Improvement Programme Manager: Responsible for overseeing overall programme activities under Sagarmatha area office and management of integrated Health Improvement Programme (HIP) plans and policies, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

May 1999 to December 2002, Drug Schemes Programme Manager: Responsible for the implementation of Drug Schemes Programme plans and policies that included training to service providers and community members, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

May 1997 to December 1998, Instructor: Responsible for teaching auxiliary health worker, assistant nurse midwife and medical lab assistant students, Sagarmatha Technical Institute, Morang , Nepal

June 1997 to May 1999, Area Programme Officer: Responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes in the designated area that included organising trainings and facilitating people's participation in health development programmes, the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal.

July to September 1995, Instructor: Responsible for teaching community health worker students, Education and Community Health Organisation, Lalitpur, Nepal.

July 1995 to June 1997, Doctor's Assistant: Main duties were to assess the patients and decide appropriate management, either choose the treatment and investigations or refer the patient to a doctor for more complex problem, Patan Hospital, United Mission to Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal.

November 1994 to July 1995, Health Post In-Charge: Main responsibilities included management of health institutions, conducting health services, and organising trainings for volunteers and community people, United Mission to Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal

September 1993 to December 1994, Instructor: Responsible for teaching auxiliary nurse midwife students and supervising their fieldwork, ANM Training Centre, Kanchanpur, Nepal.

March 1993 to December 1994, Health Assistant: Main duties included assisting district Manager in health activities management, running general health clinics and family planning services, and organising community awareness activities and trainings, Family Planning Association of Nepal, Kanchanpur, Nepal.

Membership of Professional Networks

  • 2009- on going, Advisory Board Member, Development Institute for Social Change.
  • 2008- on going, Member, Nepal Health Professional Council.
  • 2008- on going, Advisory Board Member, Social Action for Rural Health and Development of Nepal.
  • 2007-2009, Chairperson, Development Institute for Social Change.
  • 2006-2007, Member, Sociological/Anthropological Society of Nepal (SASON).
  • 2007, Member, Proposal Development Team of National Tuberculosis Centre, Nepal.
  • 2004, Rapporteur, Organising Committee: SAARC Regional Conference on TB, HIV/AIDS/STI and Respiratory Infections.
  • 2003, Evaluation Team Member, World Health Organisation Led International Evaluation of National Tuberculosis Programme, Nepal.
  • 1998, Expert Participating Member, Technical Advisory Committee to draft National Policy for Drug Financing Schemes, Government of Nepal.