Dr. Suman Thapa Blends Ophthalmology and Music to Deliver Health and Healing Across Nepal

In Kathmandu’s bustling streets, a man with a stethoscope and a guitar can be heard side‑by‑side, a rare blend of medicine and melody that has become a beacon of hope for Nepal’s underserved communities. Dr. Suman Thapa, a native of the Durbar Marg area, has carved a niche where eye care meets song, turning concert halls into clinics and healing patients through both sight and sound.

Thapa’s journey began in Kolkata, where he was born before his family relocated to Kathmandu. Under parental pressure, he entered medical school and earned an MBBS, followed by a postgraduate residency in ophthalmology in India. Yet even as he studied lenses and lenses, his heart kept pace with the rhythm of music. In 1998, while still a resident, he and a cohort of doctor‑musicians staged a charity concert at their college. For just thirty rupees a ticket, about a thousand people gathered, and the proceeds were earmarked for a vision‑restoration fund that remains active today. The event proved that music could be a viable source of funding for medical services, a lesson Thapa would carry forward.

After completing his training, Thapa joined the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal’s leading eye hospital. Tilganga’s mobile eye camps bring examinations and surgeries to remote districts, and Thapa has participated in more than 60,000 procedures, including advanced glaucoma operations. He holds the distinction of being the first Nepali ophthalmologist to earn a PhD in glaucoma.

The 2015 Gorkha earthquake reshaped Thapa’s community work. The devastation left countless families in need of both medical and psychological support. In response, Thapa and friends began holding monthly health camps in Kathmandu’s outskirts, supplying medical kits, sanitation materials, and, crucially, music performances that engaged both children and adults. The concerts became a shared space for healing, offering relief from trauma and a sense of normalcy.

After twelve camps, the group formalized their efforts by launching the non‑profit Ek Ek Paila (One Step at a Time). The organization runs free health camps in remote provinces such as Karnali, Sudurpashchim, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Rasuwa, Manang, Dolpa, Humla, Mugu, and Taplejung. According to its website, Ek Ek Paila has organized nearly 40 camps, beginning with a first camp in Chanaute, Sindhupalchok. Fundraising is driven by musical performances, and a portion of the proceeds is directed to the local health sector.

Parallel to Ek Ek Paila, Thapa founded Music for Medicine, a sister organization that offers scholarships to aspiring musicians and provides music therapy to individuals with autism or substance‑abuse issues. Though the two entities operate independently, they share a mission: to use music as a vehicle for health education and emotional support.

The dual career has earned Thapa the nickname “Singer‑Doctor.” He occasionally performs with the jazz‑rock band Blue Fret, weaving his music into health‑camp activities. In a 2026 interview, he explained that music “creates a shared platform where patients and doctors, rich or poor, can forget their sorrows and celebrate together.” He also highlighted how music therapy can complement medical treatment by addressing psychological well‑being.

Thapa’s model has attracted attention from other health‑care providers and community groups. Ek Ek Paila’s use of local folk tunes in health‑awareness sessions is cited as an effective strategy for communicating medical information in culturally resonant ways. Community leaders have praised the organization’s philanthropic spirit, noting how it brings people together.

Despite his musical commitments, Thapa continues to balance his clinical responsibilities at Tilganga. He has expressed no ambition to abandon medicine entirely, stating that his work in both fields is a natural extension of his desire to serve society.

Dr. Suman Thapa’s integration of ophthalmology and music exemplifies a growing trend in Nepal’s health sector: the incorporation of arts into community outreach to improve access, engagement, and emotional support for underserved populations.