BP Koirala Cancer Hospital provides free cancer treatment to children

Chitwan, Nov 26: The BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital has begun providing treatment free of cost to children suffering from cancer.

The hospital, which was only providing beds, food, and radiotherapy, has extended service by providing chemo and medicines after the Health Ministry decided to provide cancer treatment free of cost to the children.

The director of the hospital, Dr. Shiva Ji Paudel, informed us that Nepal was receiving medicine free of cost from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of 35 types of child cancer. However, till the government receives it, the hospital is providing medicines on its own.

“After the Health Ministry ensured resources, we launched treatment, including medicine, to the children suffering from cancer free of cost,” he added. Similarly, the Deputy Director at the Hospital, Dr. Umesh Nepal, said the hospital witnesses a huge number of children suffering from cancer.

“It is difficult to manage treatment at its own cost. So, the ministry took the initiative in this regard with assurance of resources. The oncologist at the hospital, Dr. Krishna Sagar Sharma, said if the cancer is diagnosed in children on time, it can be cured.

Nepal records some 1,500 children getting cancer every year. Among them, only half come to the hospital for treatment. —RSS