Department of Neurology

Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH)

Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

About the Department

The Department of Neurology at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital is one of Nepal’s leading centers for neurological care, academic training, stroke intervention, and neurological research. As a major tertiary referral and teaching center of Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, the department serves patients from all regions of Nepal and contributes significantly to the advancement of neurological sciences in the country.

Established under the leadership and vision of senior neurologist Prof. Dr. Krishna Kumar Oli, the department has evolved into a nationally recognized center for comprehensive neurological services, postgraduate training, acute stroke care, neuroimmunology, neurocritical care, and electrophysiology.

Today, the department stands at the forefront of modern neurological practice in Nepal, with major advancements in:

• Acute ischemic stroke thrombolysis
• Mechanical thrombectomy
• Neuroimmunological therapies
• Intensive neurological care
• DM Neurology training
• Training of residents from various departments and institutes
• Clinical research and academic development

Under the current leadership of Prof. Dr. Bikram Prasad Gajurel, the department continues to pursue excellence in patient care, education, research, and service to humanity.

Our Vision

To establish the Department of Neurology at TUTH as a center of excellence in neurological care, education, research, and innovation, while strengthening neurological services throughout Nepal.

Our Mission

• To provide compassionate, evidence-based, and accessible neurological care to all patients.
• To develop highly skilled neurologists through rigorous academic and clinical training.
• To advance stroke care and neurological emergency services in Nepal.
• To promote research relevant to the neurological needs of Nepal and South Asia.
• To build a culture of ethics, humanity, teamwork, and academic excellence.

Clinical Services

The department provides comprehensive neurological services including:

Stroke and Neurovascular Services

• 24/7 acute stroke evaluation
• Intravenous thrombolysis
• Mechanical thrombectomy
• Stroke High Dependency Unit (HDU)
• Secondary stroke prevention services

The department has played a pioneering role in advancing reperfusion therapies in Nepal and remains one of the country’s major academic centers.

Neuroimmunology Services

Advanced management of:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
• Autoimmune encephalitis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Guillain–Barré syndrome
• Other immune-mediated neurological disorders

Modern immunological therapies and multidisciplinary management approaches are increasingly available through the department.

General Neurology

Comprehensive management of:

• Epilepsy
• Headache disorders
• Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
• Dementia and cognitive disorders
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Peripheral neuropathies
• CNS infections
• Neurodegenerative disorders

Neurophysiology and Diagnostics

• Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Evoked potentials

Neurocritical Care

Dedicated neurological inpatient, critical care, and stroke HDU services for patients with severe neurological illnesses.

Outpatient Services

• Morning OPDs on Monday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Evening OPD on Wednesday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Neuro-ophthalmology OPD every Tuesday afternoon. 1:00pm – 5:00 pm
• Neuro-otology OPD first Thursday afternoon of every month
• Neurophysiology (Nerve conduction test and EMG) every Sunday, Monday, Thursday afternoon 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Dates can be taken from B-block Room 1: 9:00- 4:00 pm)

Academic Programs

The department is deeply committed to postgraduate neurological education and academic development.

DM Neurology Program

The department runs a full-time DM Neurology residency program under the Institute of Medicine. Residents receive extensive training in:

• Clinical neurology
• Stroke medicine
• Neurocritical care
• Neurophysiology
• Academic presentations
• Research methodology
• Medical ethics and professionalism

The department currently enrolls two DM Neurology residents per year and aims to develop future leaders in neurology for Nepal.

Academic Activities

Regular academic activities include:

• Grand rounds
• Journal clubs
• Case discussions
• Mortality and morbidity meetings
• Topic presentations
• Research presentations
• Interdepartmental academic collaborations

The department also actively participates in undergraduate and postgraduate medical and nursing teaching.

Research and Innovation

The department strongly promotes clinically relevant and locally impactful research.

Areas of ongoing and future interest include:

• Stroke systems and outcomes in Nepal
• Neuroimmunological disorders
• Neuroinfectious diseases
• Epilepsy
• Cognitive disorders
• Critical care neurology
• Health economics and neurological disability

Faculty members and residents regularly present research at national and international conferences and contribute to scientific publications.

Patient Care Philosophy

At TUTH Neurology, we believe that neurological care must combine scientific excellence with compassion and humanity.

The department remains committed to:

• Ethical medical practice
• Academic honesty
• Team-based care
• Patient dignity
• Affordable and accessible neurological services

Despite increasing patient volumes and limited resources, the department continues to strive for high-quality care and training in one of Nepal’s busiest academic hospitals.

Future Goals

• Expansion of comprehensive stroke services across Nepal
• Development of subspecialty neurology clinics
• Strengthening neurocritical care
• Expansion of neuroimmunology services
• Enhancement of research collaborations
• Training future neurologists and physician-scientists
• Building a nationally integrated stroke and neurology network

Facilities and Infrastructure

The department currently provides:

• Dedicated neurology ward beds
• Stroke HDU beds
• Critical care services
• Outpatient neurology clinics
• Emergency neurology consultations
• Neurophysiology services
• Academic and resident training activities

The department serves a large volume of outpatient, emergency, and inpatient neurological cases from across the country.

Leadership and Faculty

Head of Department

Prof. Dr. Bikram Prasad Gajurel

Faculty

• Dr. Ragesh Karn
• Dr. Reema Rajbhandari
• Dr. Rajeev Ojha
• Dr. Niraj Gautam
• Dr. Sumit Shahi

Message from the Department

“We believe that neurological care in Nepal can reach international standards through dedication, teamwork, academic rigor, compassion, and innovation. Our goal is not only to treat disease, but also to build systems, train future leaders, and improve neurological care for the entire nation.”

—Department of Neurology, TUTH

Neurology Faculties

1. Dr Bikram Prasad Gajurel (Associate Professor, HOD Neurology Department)

Email: [email protected]
Qualification: MBBS, MD Internal Medicine, DM Neurology, Fellow of Cerebrovascular Diseases ( Canada)
Special Interests: Stroke, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroinfection, Volunteer service to establish acute stroke care in Nepal
Member Societies: Nepalese Academy of Neurology (Vice President), Movement Disorders Society, American Neurological Association

2. Dr Ragesh Karn (Assistant Prof.)

Email: [email protected]
Qualification: MBBS, MD Internal Medicine, DM Neurology
Special Interests: Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Peripheral Neuropathy, Awareness program of Neurological disorders
Member Societies: Nepalese Academy of Neurology, Movement Disorders Society

3. Dr Reema Rajbhandari (Assistant Professor)

Email: [email protected]
Qualification: MBBS, MD Neurology
Special Interests: Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Young Stroke, Headache
Member Societies: Nepalese Academy of Neurology, Movement Disorders Society, American Neurological Association, Nepal Epilepsy Society

4. Dr Rajeev Ojha (Assistant Professor)

Email: [email protected]
Qualification: MBBS, MD, DM Neurology, Fellow of European Board of Neurology
Special Interests: Movement Disorders, Headache, Neuromuscular Disorders, Telemedicine
Member Societies: Nepalese Academy of Neurology (Joint Treasurer), Movement Disorders Society, American Neurological Association, Nepal Epilepsy Society

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