Kathmandu, November 28
The Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN), a coalition of 75 member organisations across 18 Asian countries, has awarded its prestigious ASCoN Star Award to Esha Thapa, Executive Director of Spinal Injury Sangha Nepal (SISN).
According to a press statement, established in 2015, the ASCoN Star Award acknowledges exceptional contributions to spinal cord injury (SCI) services and advocacy. The inaugural award was presented to Valerie A. Taylor, founder of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Bangladesh, and has since become an annual recognition of excellence in SCI management.
Thapa, a veteran in the health and disability sector with over 20 years of experience, has played a pivotal role in advancing rehabilitation services and empowering individuals with spinal cord injuries in Nepal.
Under her leadership, SISN, established in 2001, has become a lifeline for individuals with SCI in Nepal. Its flagship initiatives, the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC) and the Vocational Opportunity for Inclusion in the Community and Employment (VOICE) Centre, have positively impacted over 4,500 lives.
Founded in 2001, ASCoN serves as a vital platform for collaboration among organizations and stakeholders across Asia. It is an affiliated society of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS). The recently concluded ASCoN Conference 2024 in Nepal gathered policymakers, medical professionals, and advocates to advance policies and practices that enhance the lives of persons with SCI.
