BANIYANI, SEPTEMBER 15

Cases of cancer are on the rise at Kachankawal Rural Municipality in Jhapa. According to Health Section chief Jageshwor Prasad Yadav at the Office of the rural municipality, the local government had recommended 28 cancer patients for government financial assistance from July, 2021 to August, 2022. Similarly, 12 cancer patients had received recommendation in the previous year. Until some years ago, five to six cancer patients used to approach the local government for recommendations.

Lately, the number of cancer patients is on the rise, according to him. 'Unhealthy food habits and lifestyle is one of the major causes of cancer,' he assessed.

He stressed the need to establish a food laboratory along the border areas. Food imports from neighbouring India continue unabated without any quality and safety check measures.

It may be noted that high scale of pesticide residues was found in vegetables at Birtamod-based vegetable market earlier. The produce was imported from India. Following this, the import was briefly tightened.

The local government recommended 11 kidney and seven heart patients for medical assistance and dialysis.

The rural municipality has recommended Bharatpur Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, and Purbanchal Cancer Hospital, Birtamod, in a bid to provide medical assistance and dialysis for cancer patients. On the basis of the recommendation, the patient is eligible for a discount worth Rs 100,000 on medical expenses.

According to the rural municipality Vice-chair Nawaraj Bhattarai, the local government also provides financial assistance from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 in the case of chronological diseases.

Besides, the local government ensures Rs 3,000 as nutrition expense for a new mother and Rs 5,000 as death rituals expenses. The construction of a 15-bed medical facility is under way with the investment of the federal government. There are one primary health centre, nine health posts and two basic health centres in Kachankawal.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 16, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.