The Nepal government has announced free cancer treatment for children under the age of 14 at select public hospitals. Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, confirmed that the initiative would come into effect on November 16, ensuring that children battling cancer receive care without cost in three key medical facilities across the country.
The designated hospitals offering the treatment are Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Bhaktapur, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan. Officials emphasized that if government funds fall short, the Ministry will allocate additional resources from its internal budget to ensure continuous treatment.
The initiative reflects the government’s efforts to address Nepal’s rising cancer burden, as highlighted by recent statistics from the Ministry’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. Non-communicable diseases now account for 71 percent of all deaths in the country, with cancer contributing to 11 percent of these fatalities. In 2022 alone, Nepal registered 22,000 new cancer cases, leading to 14,000 deaths. Each year, around 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer, making this program vital for affected families.
By – Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)