World Merchant Investment contributes to Rotary’s global grant initiative to help prevent TB through affordable, life-saving treatment in Nepal.
Kathmandu, Nepal | May 9, 2025 —
In a collective effort to address one of Nepal’s most pressing public health challenges, World Merchant Investment Pvt. Ltd. has supported a new Rotary Club initiative aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) through preventive treatment.
The support was formalized during the Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town’s regular Friday meeting, where Mr. Basudev P. Gautam, Chairman of World Merchant Investment and an active member of the Club, handed over a contribution of Rs. 25,000 to President Rupy Shing, who is leading the project.
The initiative, titled “Prevent TB to End TB: The Implementation of Latent TB Treatment,” was originally introduced by Dr. Buddha Basnyat, a renowned physician and global public health advocate. The project focuses on the rollout of the 3HP regimen, a cost-effective, weekly treatment that prevents latent TB from developing into active, contagious TB.
🔬 Why It Matters
In Nepal, TB claims 47 lives every day, making it one of the most devastating infectious diseases in the country. While vaccine development is still underway globally, the 3HP regimen — a three-month, once-a-week treatment — has shown proven results in reducing TB risk, as highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Despite global endorsement by the World Health Organization, countries like Nepal have not fully implemented this treatment due to lack of funding. This Rotary-led Global Grant aims to close that gap and make a meaningful difference — starting at the community level.
“At World Merchant, we believe investing in people is as important as investing in innovation,” said Mr. Gautam. “Supporting this TB prevention project is our way of giving back to the communities we serve.”
This collaboration between the Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town and World Merchant Investment underscores a shared vision of health equity, community resilience, and impact beyond business.
📧 For details or to support the initiative:
rcktmmidtown@gmail.com
