“While many innovations have emerged from high-resource settings, what excites me most… are the pragmatic innovations that make a direct impact on underserved populations.”
Dr Niraj Parajuli, based at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, has rapidly established himself as a leading figure in dermatology. His clinical excellence, academic contributions, and global engagement underline why he has been selected as one of our touchDERMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2025.
Dr Parajuli is deeply committed to advancing global skin health, focusing his work on skin-related neglected tropical diseases (NTD), rare dermatological conditions, and digital dermatology, all areas in which he is helping to shape the future of the specialty.
In this Q&A, Dr Parajuli shares how an unexpected path led to a career dedicated to underserved skin health, and why innovation, equity and global impact now drive his work.
Initially, and honestly, my decision to pursue dermatology was influenced, in part, by the common perception that it offers a relatively less demanding lifestyle. However, my career trajectory has taken a very different, and ultimately more meaningful path. I now find myself deeply engaged in managing NTD and rare dermatological conditions, both areas that are challenging and demand not only clinical rigor, but also a deep sense of commitment.
While many view dermatology as a straightforward specialty, I have always been fascinated by the elegance and diagnostic precision it requires. I had a strong interest in both internal medicine and surgery, and dermatology presented itself as an ideal blend: intellectually stimulating, procedurally engaging and balanced in its demands.
One of the most rewarding moments in my professional journey came when a close colleague jokingly remarked, “You have glamorized the field of skin-related NTD in this country.” While seemingly light-hearted, the comment deeply resonated with me, as it captured the essence of my ongoing efforts to elevate the importance of these conditions, which disproportionately affect some of the most underprivileged populations.
My involvement in NTD has been both extensive and deeply fulfilling. Contributing to national Skin-NTD initiatives and holding leadership roles within the NTD NGO Network’s Skin Cross-Cutting Group and the International Alliance for Global Health Dermatology (GLODERM) have been incredibly rewarding acknowledgments of my commitment to this field. The recognition of this work, culminating in receiving the Young Dermatologist International Achievement Award 2025 from the ILDS, has been immensely gratifying and stands as one of the most meaningful milestones of my career
While many innovations have emerged from high-resource settings, ranging from biologics to advanced imaging technologies, what excites me most, as a dermatologist working in the field of Skin-NTDs in low-resource and remote contexts, are the pragmatic innovations that make a direct impact on underserved populations.
One particularly transformative development has been the integration of digital health and AI to improve access to dermatologic care in geographically isolated areas. These technologies represent a democratization of dermatologic expertise and help narrow the care gap for marginalized communities.
Equally significant is the recent progress in developing an integrated roadmap for Skin-NTDs. By aligning disease control strategies under a unified framework, the roadmap enables synergistic action, resource sharing and more sustainable interventions.
While I deeply value the cutting-edge research taking place in high-income countries, I am especially inspired by innovations and integrated approaches that promote equity in skin healthcare. These efforts align closely with the global theme of ‘Skin Health for All’, as they help ensure quality care reaches those in underserved and remote communities.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchDERMATOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Parajuli. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
touchDERMATOLOGY is celebrating the brightest rising stars in the dermatology community, who are set to shape the future of the field.
Read more about the touchDERMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2025 here.
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