Implementing a global health programme: Smallpox and Nepal

by Susan Heydon

Overview

Worldwide eradication of the devastating viral disease of smallpox was devised as a distant global policy, but success depended on implementing a global vaccination programme within nation states. How this was achieved remains relevant and topical for responding to today’s global communicable disease challenges. The small and poor Himalayan kingdom of Nepal faced enormous geographical and infrastructure challenges if it was going to succeed in a nationwide vaccination programme. This book acknowledges the key role of the WHO but disrupts the top—down, centre—led standard narrative. Against a background of widespread internal political and social change, Nepal’s programme was expanded, effectively decentralised and a vaccination strategy introduced that aligned with people’s beliefs. Few foreign personnel were involved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526176660
Publisher:	Manchester University Press
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Series:	Social Histories of Medicine , #63
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Susan Heydon is an Associate Professor in Social Pharmacy at the University of Otago

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Writing Nepal into global smallpox history
2 Smallpox in Nepal
3 Nepal — A nation state
4 1963–64: Epidemic smallpox
5 Engaging global policy — From control to eradication
6 Vaccination and global strategies
7 A time of transition
8 Expanding nationwide
9 Success
Conclusion: Implementing a global health programme — and making it work

Editorial Reviews

A rich, nuanced understanding of public health history… a must—read for anyone interested in a ground—level perspective on the global smallpox eradication campaign and in understanding the early influences and challenges that shaped Nepal’s modern healthcare system.”
— SINHAS Journal

From the Publisher