Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Kumar Shrestha, a distinguished cardiologist, began his medical journey with an MBBS from Mymensingh Medical College, Dhaka University, in 1996. Driven by a passion for research, he pursued an MD in Medical Microbiology at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, in 2000. However, his deep interest in human body steered him towards clinical medicine, where he became the first Nepali doctor to pass the FCPS-Part 1(Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan) exam in Medicine in 2001.
After completing two years of Internal Medicine training from National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS, Bir Hospital) and one year of Cardiology training from Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre (SGNHC), he decided to do MD in Cardiology from China because SGNHC was not given a full recognition by FCPS body of Pakistan for cardiology training at that time. He completed his MD Cardiology in 2007 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China, known to be the largest hospital of the world. His commitment to cutting-edge cardiovascular care led him to pursue a Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2018.
Prof. Dr. Shrestha has made significant academic contributions, first as a lecturer and later as an associate professor at KIST Medical College and Patan Academy of Health Sciences. At Patan, he was instrumental in establishing the Cathlab and Department of Cardiology, crucial milestones for cardiac care in Nepal. He currently serves as a Professor of Cardiology at Kathmandu Medical College (Kathmandu University).
His research contributions have earned him recognition, including the prestigious "Young Scientist Award" from the National Health Research Council of Nepal in 2001. He has authored ten research articles, including the highly regarded 2020 publication, “Statin Drug Therapy May Increase COVID-19 Infection.” His research spans cholesterol's role in heart disease, where he challenges conventional thinking, asserting that cholesterol might not be the true cause of coronary heart disease. His research articles are available through the ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2860-6293.
A dedicated mentor, he currently oversees postgraduate trainee doctors in Internal Medicine and collaborates on innovative research. His standing as an international faculty member at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, underscores his global contributions to cardiovascular medicine. His thought-provoking research presentations on cholesterol and heart failure have been featured at prestigious cardiac conferences both national and international, reflecting his thought leadership in the field (available at YouTube: Dr Sanjaya Kumar Shrestha).
