Dr. Santosh Baniya,MD

Simon Lowe, UK Managing Director, Jagged Globe

Since 2017, Santosh has been the bedrock of medical support to our climbing and trekking teams in Nepal. It has been very important to us that he has been able to give expert advice fluently to our team members, but also to our team leaders in their native language, whether that be in Nepali to our local leaders or in English to the western leaders we send to Nepal. Santosh has shown himself to be an expert in high altitude medicine and this, coupled with his general medical advice, has helped resolve issue quickly and effectively for the benefit of our teams. We are very grateful for all of the medical interventions he has help with and the advice he has shared whenever he has been called upon.

Buddha Basnyat, Nepal Medical Director HRA, President MMSN, Past President of ISMM & UIAA Med Com

I have known Santosh since his medical school days. He is very resourceful, innovative, eager and always gets the job done. I saw these great qualities displayed when, from the Nepal side, young Santosh helped spearhead the ISMM World Congress in Nov 2018. The Congress was a stunning success in terms of organization, content, adherence to time, and sheer enjoyment for the participants. Many participants continue to reminisce about the phenomenal success of that Congress, and it has been a model for future ISMM congresses to aspire to. The lion's share of the credit goes to none other than Santosh and the team he helped put together in Nepal. I like his blogs and look forward to reading more even as he gains richer field experience by leading treks in the Nepal Himalayas.

Dolores Avendano Trail Runner, Argentina

My husband and I went to the Mustang Trail Race in Nepal, Dr Santosh was the doctor in charge of everyone's health.By the fourth day of the race (it is a 10 day event!) I was with a bad pain in my stomach area. By then we had reached Lo-Monthang, which is in high altitude and has no hospital. In spite of the fact that I was feeling well regarding the altitude, Dr. Santosh did not hesitate in requesting I be sent down immediately to a hospital!It was thanks to his quick reaction that my illness did not get to a critical point. In Pokhara, after many studies and checks, the doctors diagnosed me with a severe gastroenteritis of the stomach with beginning of small ulcers.Dr Santosh knew right away it was serious. To be honest, in spite of my pain, I did not want to go to the hospital in Pokhara. Dr. Santosh even called me from Lo-Monthang, ordering me to go!I am deeply grateful for his professional care, like I mentioned in the beginning, my ulcers did not reach a critical point thanks to him!It was very mordant we had him with us up on the mountain!

Hermann Brugger, Italy Vice-head, Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

I met Dr Santosh Baniya in 2013 when we organised the training course for mountain rescuers and mountain emergency physicians in Nepal. Dr Santosh Baniya is an active practitioner and excellent teacher with great experience and knowledge in mountain medicine. In 2018, Dr Santosh Baniya has organised the ISMM World Congress in mountain medicine in Kathmandu, which has been a great success. Apart from his professionalism, Dr Santosh Baniya is one of the most enthusiastic expedition doctors I know, with incredible social skills and leadership abilities.

Richard Bull, USA Race Director, Trail Running Nepal

We've been delighted to have been lucky enough to work several times with Santosh Baniya on the Mustang and Manaslu trail races in Nepal. He's everything we expected from a competent expedition medic and so much more. He has always gone the extra mile with his dedication to the well-being of the competitors in tough working conditions of cold and high altitude after a long day of hiking. He's the last to eat in the dining room after doing the evening rounds and repacking the medical kit. He's most recently helped advise us and race applicants understand the latest research and risk with regard to COVID-19 issues and altitude. His articulacy is excellent, patience legendary, humor uplifting and is, in summary, a very valuable addition to any high altitude expedition.

Ashton Teulon Calgary, Canada

Dr. Santosh was an essential crew member for the Mustang Trail Race. His kind demeanor and exceptional knowledge of health issues at altitude (and so much more!) enabled him to offer high quality care to the runners. When I experienced some mild symptoms from altitude, he assessed me and provided reassurance, recommendations and minor treatment. He generously helped educate the group about what to expect and watch out for at altitude. I would highly recommend Dr. Santosh’s services for anyone traveling or participating in endurance sport at high altitude.

Dr David Hillebrandt, UK Ex President UIAA Medcom

The mountain medicine world is small and it is through the International Society of Mountain Medicine (ISMM) that I met Santosh. Initially we worked together via a UK commercial Expedition company which runs treks and expedition to Nepal. Being a Nepali doctor he was incredibly helpful to me when we were working medically with porters, local staff and clients. In 2018 he organised the ISMM Medicine Congress in Kathmandu. It was attended by about 400 international delegates and all attending were overwhelmed by the organisational skills of Santosh and his team.

Louise Jones Trail Runner, UK

I was a participant on the Mustang Trail Race which Dr Baniya was the altitude and extreme sports specialist. I received expert care, advice and attention including coping with running at altitude. As a result of this specialist care I completed the race and the whole experience was much more enjoyable knowing the group and I were so well looked after. I would whole heartedly recommend him to any groups looking to receive the very best care and attention.

Shiv Raj Thapa Managing Director, Nepal Skyline Adventures Pvt Ltd

Dr Santosh Baniya has been very instrumental in providing mountain medicine and first aid training to my mountain and trekking guides for the last couple of years. His remarkable medical advice to our clients and staff members whilst they were on treks and expeditions had always been very effective and helped to avoid numerous mishaps which would have been inevitable otherwise. He not only provides back up medical online support to our trekking groups, he often performs as a trek doctor on our large size charity groups. He is very friendly and approachable to me and to my entire staff members, similarly we all regard him as a thorough professional, excellent human being and a true friend!

Steve Chia Active Trail Running, Singapore

Thank you for your patience and care in taking care of me during the recent Mustang Stage Race, Apr 2023.If not for your experience and knowledge, and patience in diagnosis, I could have been in a more dangerous life situation with the HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) condition that had suddenly developed in my lungs.With your advice and recommendation, the race Director had agreed to send me down to 3100m to stay for the night and recover, hoping I can get back again to start Stage 4.Alas, my lung condition is worse than I expected and I had to drop out of stage 4 after just 2km and then being driven all the way down to 3000m again for recovery.And once again, understanding the risks and weather conditions affecting airport closures, I had taken your recommendations the next day to rush down to Jomsom airport for the last flight opportunity to Pokhara.If you have not been thinking of me and my illness, I could still be trapped in the high mountains suffering.Thank you so much for your care and thoughtfulness of me as your patient.

Neer Lalit Priya Managing Director, Hidden Trails Pvt Ltd

I have been working with Dr. Santosh Baniya in the mountains through my company in number of occasions. I have known him since last 6 years and the first time we met was in the mountains where we shared amazing couple of weeks. Since the very first day he has been professional at his conduct and has been instrumental in providing medical support for my company and clients. His expertise has been remarkable for us both physically and via telemedicine support. He is very friendly, honest, and approachable to me and to my entire staff members, similarly we all regard him as a thorough professional, excellent human being and a true friend. It has always been true pleasure to work with Dr. Baniya and he is truly a treasure to have in the remotest of the places.

Keith Martin Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Excellent care provided by Doctor Santosh! Knowledgeable and professional!Firstly, helping me deal with some altitude related issues then treating some severe foot blisters during the trail race + arranging hospital care on return to Katmandu to get me fully sorted out.