Jas Gurung

Vice president

A Consultant Physiatrist at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Dr. Gurung previously led a rehabilitation team at SIRC. A scholarship recipient from the University of British Columbia, he aims to establish rehabilitation medicine departments across all levels of Nepal’s health system and advocate for dedicated physiatrist positions in various hospital sectors.

docjasgurung@gmail.com

Visionary Goals

Clinical Journeys and Aspirations

Our specialists discuss what motivates them to serve individuals with disabilities and their aspirations for expanding care nationwide.

Can you share with us where you are currently in your professional journey?

I am currently serving as a Consultant Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician (Physiatrist) at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal, where I have been practicing since January 2024. I am a scholarship recipient from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, awarded in collaboration with Spinal Injury Sangh Nepal – Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC). Following this training, I gained two years of experience at SIRC, leading a rehabilitation team that managed complex cases of spinal cord injury, brain injury, and neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

What first drew you to PM&R, and what continues to motivate you in this field?

After medical school, I was uncertain about which specialty to pursue and gained experience working in emergency and pediatric medicine. My perspective changed after joining Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, where I observed multidisciplinary teams delivering comprehensive rehabilitation care to persons with disabilities. Seeing patients return to meaningful roles within their families and communities was deeply inspiring. I also recognized the critical need for specialist PM&R physicians to lead these teams, supported by multispecialty training in neurology, orthopedics, rheumatology, pain medicine, and other disciplines.

In your view, how will PM&R shape the future of rehabilitation and disability care in Nepal?

With the rising burden of disability from trauma, stroke, and chronic conditions, PM&R will be essential in building structured, coordinated rehabilitation services across Nepal. By strengthening hospital-based rehabilitation, expanding specialist training, and integrating rehabilitation into mainstream healthcare, PM&R can significantly improve functional outcomes and quality of life for people with disabilities.

What are your personal and professional aspirations within the field of PM&R?

I aspire to help establish and strengthen rehabilitation medicine departments at all levels of Nepal’s health system. My goals include advocating for dedicated physiatrist positions in government, non-government, and private hospitals, and contributing to the development of national protocols and policies that address present and future rehabilitation needs.