A message from TDR Director John Reeder
It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Vivek Kumar Singh, a dedicated scientist who made significant contributions to efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in Nepal and neighboring countries.
Born in the eastern part of Nepal, Vivek earned his Master's degree in Microbiology from Tribhuvan University in 2011. He served as a Research Officer at the Public Health and Infectious Diseases Research Center (PHIDReC) from 2016 to 2020, followed by his work at the Anand Ban Leprosy Mission Hospital from 2021 until his untimely passing in a landslide on the hospital premises. We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a dedicated scientist; his invaluable contributions and commitment to advancing research and care will be profoundly missed.
During his tenure at PHIDReC, Vivek collaborated with TDR in supporting implementation research and capacity building activities in Nepal. He played a crucial role in various research projects focused on visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which included active case detection alongside other diseases such as leprosy, tuberculosis and malaria through chronic fever camps. He also co-authored studies that analyzed barriers to VL reporting and surveillance, integrated case detection with vector control, and highlighted the role of women community health volunteers in VL detection. His contributions were vital for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nepal and the wider WHO South-East Asia region.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.