Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel announced Sunday, July 13, that essential medicines for cancer treatment would be made available free of cost.
Paudel made the statement at an event held to officially hand over the first shipment of medicines sent by Direct Relief, a global humanitarian organisation, to the Government of Nepal via One Heart Worldwide.
The first batch includes 37 types of medicines, including those used for cancer treatment. The shipment is part of a broader commitment to support Nepal for the next five years, depending on the country’s needs, officials said. The initiative aims to reduce the burden on patients who would otherwise have to travel abroad to obtain such medications.
Most patients in Nepal cannot afford cancer treatment due to expensive medicines.
Arrangements are underway to dispatch the medicines to government cancer hospitals. According to the Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the drugs will be distributed through BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital in Banke, and Bir Hospital in Kathmandu.
RSS
