Free cancer medicines to be distributed in Nepal with international support

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has announced that rare and essential medicines for cancer treatment will now be available free of cost in Nepal.

The first batch of 37 types of medicines has arrived under the commitment of international charity Direct Relief, initiated through Minister Poudel’s special efforts to reduce patients’ need to travel abroad for treatment.

At a handover program organized by One Heart Worldwide, Health Minister Paudel said the initiative aims to ease the financial burden on patients and provide free access to life-saving medicines for breast, skin, and other types of cancer.

He informed that Direct Relief will supply the medicines as per Nepal’s needs for the next five years and efforts are ongoing to expand the list.

Arrangements have been made to distribute the medicines immediately to government cancer hospitals.

Heatlth Minister Paudel also urged the media to raise awareness about available government health services and insurance benefits.

Dr. Bhim Sapkota from the Health Ministry said a five-year agreement has been reached for continued supply. One Heart Worldwide’s Nepal representative Surya Bhatta credited Minister Paudel’s leadership for the achievement.

According to ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the medicines will be distributed free of cost through BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, and Bir Hospital.