Kathmandu: In a significant decision, the Minister of Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, announced today that cancer treatment for children under 14 years old will be provided free of charge at government hospitals. This initiative will be implemented at Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan.
The new policy is set to take effect from December 1, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health. Minister Paudel initiated efforts to provide free cancer treatment for children shortly after taking office.
Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated that if the allocated funds for treatment fall short, resources will be managed internally within the ministry.
According to statistics from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 71% of deaths in Nepal are attributed to non-communicable diseases, with cancer accounting for 11% of these fatalities. In 2022 alone, Nepal reported 22,000 new cancer cases, with over 14,000 resulting in death. The division noted that approximately 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Nepal.