Medicosnext
Dr. Kohinoor Shrestha
She is a dedicated medical officer at UDM-NINAS. She earned her MBBS degree from Nepal Medical College, where she developed a passion for anesthesia. Recently, she volunteered at Neurocon-II, engaging with experts to discuss advancements in neurosciences. A proud alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Dr. Shrestha is committed to making a meaningful impact through compassionate patient care. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, reading novels, and dancing to her favorite tunes.
First Steps, Lasting Impressions
I still remember my first walk down the slope to UDM-NINAS—the chirping birds, fresh air, and the nervous weight of becoming a doctor, not a student. Dr. Priyanka, my senior, welcomed me warmly, introducing me not just to medicine but to the hospital’s culture—from the staff music band Mastiska to meals at Aamako Khajaghar. Though overwhelmed, the anesthesiology team’s kindness grounded me. By the end of that week, I knew I could grow here.
Two Pillars, One Legacy
Some institutions are built not just with bricks and budgets, but with vision, courage, and compassion. UDM-NINAS stands tall as a testament to the dream of one such man – Prof. Dr. Upendra Devkota, Nepal’s pioneering neurosurgeon, who dared to imagine that advanced neurological care could—and should—be accessible in his homeland. The renaming of the hospital to Upendra Devkota Memorial-NINAS was not just an act of remembrance—it was a vow to carry his legacy forward.
After his passing, Prof. Dr. Madhu Dixit Devkota, his life partner and the current chairperson, carried his vision forward with remarkable dedication. Her hands-on leadership, empathy, and unwavering commitment have ensured the hospital not only functions but thrives. By upholding and expanding the standards set by Dr. Devkota, she has safeguarded his dream of accessible, world-class neurological care in Nepal. More than an administrator, she is a role model. Watching her lead with such clarity and purpose taught me that medicine isn’t just about treating patients—it’s about building systems that sustain healing.
Three Arenas: OT, ICU, ER
Working in the OT, we are the silent custodians of patient safety, easing them into unconsciousness and back often without them even remembering our faces. The ICU teaches vigilance, each beep matters. And the ER, the chaos and clarity of it, demands action. Together, these spaces built in me a rhythm of calm in crisis and purpose in pressure.
Four Months: Finding Confidence
The early months were daunting—memorizing protocols, observing critical procedures I’d only read about. But with every central line, every intubation, something shifted. Confidence replaced anxiety. Under expert guidance, I began to master not just technical skills but the mindset of an anesthesiologist: one of quiet precision and deep presence.
Five Mentors: Endless Wisdom
▶ Dr. Madhav Psd. Gautam, with 40+ years of experience, teaches with joy and unmatched energy. He reminds us to learn but also to live.
▶ Dr. Mayush Bdr. Munankami, our HOD, mentored me with patience and rigor—guiding me through both clinical challenges and professional growth.
▶ Dr. Rupesh Rajbhandari, Dr. Sahaj Paudel, and Dr. Iswar Pun treated me like a peer. Their camaraderie turned colleagues into brothers, and the department into a second home.
Six Eyes, One Patient
At UDM-NINAS, patient care is shaped by six interconnected specialties: neurosciences, radiology, anesthesia & critical care, nursing, physiotherapy & laboratory services, and administration. Each morning at 9 a.m., representatives from every unit gather for a multidisciplinary conference to review patient cases. These meetings align surgical planning, perioperative safety, bedside care, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and logistics—ensuring comprehensive, patient-centered treatment. Every voice, from senior consultant to junior staff, is heard and respected.
For junior doctors, these conferences are invaluable. They offer real-time, cross-specialty learning while fostering teamwork, respect, and clear communication. Daily updates on surgeries, discharges, and emergencies keep the entire hospital in sync. This collaborative model ensures no detail is missed and reinforces a powerful lesson: healing is strongest when many expert eyes focus on one patient.
Seven Skills: Steady Hands
From intubations to spinal anesthesia, I honed core clinical skills. But equally vital were the non-technical ones: compassion, communication, adaptability, teamwork, time management, critical thinking, and work ethics. These are the tools that make a doctor not just competent, but truly caring.
Eight Ways UDM-NINAS Shines
1. Morning multispecialty meetings for comprehensive multi-disciplinary care.
2. Strategic OT-ICU & ER-CT/MRI proximity for swift diagnosis & interventions.
3. Academic sessions twice a week for constant learning.
4. Monthly Mortality and Morbidity conferences fostering accountability and learning.
5. Transparent communication across departments.
6. “99” emergency protocol: fast, focused, life-saving.
7. 24/7 stroke readiness.
8. Mastiska, our music band—proving healing also needs harmony.
“99” Call: Saving Life Amid Chaos
At UDM-NINAS, a “99 call” signals a life hanging by a thread. Within seconds, doctors, nurses, and technicians drop everything and rush in with a resuscitation bag and a shared sense of urgency. Roles are clear, coordination seamless, and the protocol drilled into muscle memory—yet no simulation matches the reality. My first 99 call was a whirlwind of chest compressions, IV lines, and swift intubation. It was chaos, but controlled—a powerful reminder of how precision and teamwork can fight back against time.
That moment taught me more than any book ever could. In those intense minutes, I saw the strength of a well-prepared team and the purpose behind every drill. The upgraded 99 protocol now makes our response even sharper. It’s more than a code—it’s a lifeline powered by people, discipline, and the quiet determination to save lives.
Ten Friends: Shared Strength
Outside anesthesia, I was one of ten junior doctors spanning neurology and neurosurgery. Together we braved night duties, celebrated first intubations, and endured rough days with quiet nods or laughter. That bond made all the difference.
Eleven Teams: ONE MOTTO
It’s not just a slogan at UDM-NINAS—it’s a way of life. Eleven departments, ranging from clinical services to support staff, function under a single ethos: Patient First.
Whether it’s a neurosurgeon in OT, a physiotherapist aiding recovery, a cleaner ensuring hygiene, every act reflects one unified mission: to heal, with excellence and empathy.
This patient-centered approach is what makes UDM-NINAS exceptional. It is not just written in policy but lived out in practice.
A Home in UDM-NINAS
I came to UDM-NINAS as a young doctor with textbook knowledge and trembling hands. I leave with a heart full of memories, hands steadier than ever, and a soul deeply moved by what medicine can be.
The calm of walking through clean corridors after a long case, the steady beep of monitors at 2 a.m., the laughter shared during coffee breaks, and the quiet pride of making a difference—all weave together into a tapestry of learning, meaning, and belonging.
In just eleven months, this place became more than a job.
It became home.
