Government begins collecting cancer patients’ details

Kathmandu, January 17

The government has begun collecting cancer patients’ data for the first time in the country.

Nepal Heath Research Council under the Ministry of Health began the task today as no government agency has the accurate data on the number and status of cancer patients in the country.

The ‘Cancer Registration System Based on Population’ programme has been launched in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts in the first phase and it will be expanded to all 77 districts in near future, said council Chair Prof Dr Anjani Kumar Jha.

As part of the programme, government teams will ascertain the number, gender and age group of patients, along with the types of cancer they are suffering from. The teams will also ascertain whether the cancer patients are receiving government support.

The health ministry had entrusted the council with collecting cancer patients’ data four months ago.

Currently, the government provides Rs 100,000 to a cancer patient belonging to the poor and backward communities. The government has also decided to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 to poverty-stricken patients of cancer, kidney and spinal injury. It is also working to increase efficiency of the government-run hospitals across the country.

Â