More than two decades ago, Surendra Shrestha joined what was then a small “Fever Clinic” at Patan Hospital.
At that time, the work was very different. There were no smartphones or Google Maps to help staff find patients’ homes. Surendra remembers cycling through the streets of Patan with hand-drawn directions, making home visits, and delivering medicines to patients.
In Episode 3 of UNDAUNTED, Surendra looks back on these early days and shares experiences that have shaped his long journey with OUCRU Nepal.
Surendra grew up in Lele and began his career in the health sector. An opportunity to work at a health camp eventually brought him to the Fever Clinic. The team was small, and everyone had different responsibilities, from supporting patients and collecting samples to making home visits.
Over the years, Surendra continued his work through many challenging situations. In the episode, he talks about working during periods of curfew and later during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also speaks about the people who have been part of his journey—the patients he has met, colleagues and mentors who supported him, and the relationships he has built over the years.
One part of his work that he is particularly proud of is his contribution to typhoid vaccine research.
Looking back on more than two decades of experience, Surendra shares a simple message:
“Even if you start small, with patience and strong determination, one can reach greater heights.”
Episode 3 of UNDAUNTED: Behind the Science – The Human Story of Surendra Shrestha shares the story of a colleague who has seen OUCRU Nepal grow from its early days and has grown alongside it.
