Report by Dr Donjon Lamichane: Educational Visit to UK Funded by Ear Aid Nepal
September 17, 2026
I am deeply grateful to Ear Aid Nepal and the entire team for awarding me the bursary that made my transformative trip to the UK possible from June 19 to July 4. Upon arriving in Edinburgh on the morning of June 19, I travelled to Dundee University Hospital for my first week. From June 22 to 24, I participated in the Advanced Temporal Bone Workshop at the Surgical Skills Centre Lab in Dundee Ninewells Hospital under the expert guidance of Mr. Patrick Spielmann and Mr. Stephen Jones, followed by observerships in otology with Mr. Stephen Jones and parotid surgery with Mr. Yusuf Ahmed. During my temporal bone workshop I got the opportunity to meet many surgeons & trainees from various countries and their surgical methods. My journey continued to NHS Lanarkshire near Glasgow for two days of observing endoscopic and open ear surgeries with Prof. Arunachalam Iyer & Prof. Kang.
A major highlight of my stay was attending all three days of the BACO Conference (July 1–3-2026), supported in part by a travel fellowship from ENT UK. BACO gave me invaluable insights into cutting-edge ear surgery research and treatment techniques that are already proving immensely beneficial in my clinical practice. It was also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with many international colleagues and visiting UK faculty who have visited and shared their knowledge with us at the Ear Centre in Green Pastures Hospital Nepal over the last five years. Reconnecting with my mentor, Mr. Mike Smith, was truly special—like meeting a guardian.
Beyond the clinical learning, experiencing Scottish culture, trying local food, and exploring new places especially the highlands with landscapes resembling the Hilly area of Nepal refreshed my mind, body, and soul. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to EarAidNepal, the entire team, and especially Rosie, whose help in managing lodging and logistics was indispensable. I return with advanced skills, renewed inspiration, and a deep commitment to serving our country and advancing care at the Ear Centre at Green Pastures Hospital & rehabilitation centre.
