ANAND TAMANG

I am the founder Chairperson and the Director of the Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA), - one of the leading research organizations in Nepal, established in 1994. I hold M.Phil Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (1977-1979), Masters in Geography from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (India) (1975-1977) . I started my professional career from India where I worked for about 10 years (from Nov 1979 to April 1989) and then moved to Nepal. I have received several specialized trainings at regional and global level such as Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Poverty Reduction, Reproductive Health and Health Sector Reform (World Bank Institute, 2009); Building Regional Capacity on Adolescent Health (WHO/SEARO, 2004); Advances in Health Communication and Advocacy (School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2009, Baltimore), Social Science Research and Training Workshop on Reproductive Health in South Asia (WHO, 1994), Summer Course on Reproductive Health Research (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, 1993) and Summer Seminar on Analysis of Data on Contraceptive Use and Choice (East-West Population Institute, Hawaii, USA 1992).

      I was commissioned by WHO/SEARO to carry out three research projects as PI/Project Director. Under my leadership, the WHO study on randomized controlled, equivalence trial that examines the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of medical abortion provided by physicians and non-physicians in Nepal was successfully conducted during 2009-10. In 2011, I worked as International Consultant for UNFPA Lao PDR Country Office for twin consultancy assignments- to evaluate its adolescent sexual and reproductive health program and prepare a five year Strategic Plan for UNFPA local implementing partner based at Vientiane Capital. Since February 2011, I am looking after two RHR/WHO funded operations research studies on medical abortion in the capacity of PI and Co-PI. I am also the Project Director of the IEC/Advocacy related intervention program aimed at improving access to information and services on safe abortion among marginalized and vulnerable women in Nepal funded by IPPF/SAAF (2011-2013). I and my organization have pioneered public education and advocacy campaigns and policy dialogue at the national, district and community levels to decriminalize abortion in Nepal. CREHPA represents the Nepalese civil society organization (NGOs) in the National Advisory Committee on Safe Abortion formed by the Government of Nepal and also at the Technical Committee for Implementation of Comprehensive abortion care (TCIC). I have served as a member of the Gender and Rights Advisory Panel (GAP) of RHR/WHO, Geneva (2006-09) and as member of the Regional Advisory Panel, WHO, South Asia Regional Office (2005-2012).

Previous employment 
1. Institute for Integrated Development Studies, Kathmandu (1989-94)
2. Operations Research Group, Baroda, India (1979-89)

Other honorary or professional positions
1. Member, Regional Advisory Panel, WHO (SEARO/WIPRO)
2. Member, National Safe Abortion Advisory Committee, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal
3. Coordinator, Nepal Network on GirlsNotBrides

Publication 
1. Tamang A, Tuladhar S, Tamang J, Ganatra B, Dulal B Factors associated with choice of medical or surgical abortion among women in Nepal: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics(Special Supplement)118 (2012) 552-556
2. Warriner I, Wang D, Huong NT, Thapa K, Tamang A, Shah I, Braid DT, Meirik DT Can midlevel health-care providers administer early medical abortion as safely and effectively as doctors? A randomized controlled equivalence trial in Nepal The Lancet March 2011; 377:1155- 61
3. Tamang A, Tamang J, Nepal B, Adhikari R, Adolescent girls‘ perspectives on sexual and reproductive health illnesses and their care seeking behavior in rural Nepal Nepal Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vol 1, No. 1, May 2006
4. Tamang A, Tamang J Availability and Acceptability of Medical Abortion in Nepal: Health care Providers' Perspectives Reproductive Health Matters Vol 13, Number 26 November 2005
5. Tamang A, Nepal B, Puri M, Shrestha D, Sexual Risk Behavior and Risk Perceptions among Young Men in Border Towns of Nepal Asia Pacific Population Journal Vol 16 No. 2 June 2001
6. Tamang A, Induced Abortions and Subsequent Reproductive Behavior among Women in urban areas of Nepal Social Change- Issues and Perspectives; Journal of the Council for Social Development : Vol.26 No.3&4 Sept-Dec. 1996