Decision's effectiveness requires adequate budgets, communication with the poor, say oncologists
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 27
The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that children under the age of 14 will receive free cancer treatment. However, oncologists believe that it should be effectively implemented and communicated to the targeted cluster of population who discontinue treatments due to a lack of funds.
On Sunday, the Minister of Health and Population announced that this service would be provided free of charge at government hospitals such as Kanti Children's Hospital in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Bhaktapur, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan.
According to Minister Paudel's secretariat, plans have been made for free treatment beginning on November 16. The ministry's policy is to provide free cancer treatment based on the state's resources.
According to the ministry, this arrangement will first apply to children.
Non-communicable diseases account for more than two-thirds (71 per cent) of all deaths in Nepal. According to public statistics from the ministry's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, cancer accounts for 11 per cent of all deaths.
In 2022, there were 22,000 new cancer cases reported in Nepal, with over 14,000 deaths. Every year, about 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer in the country. Minister Paudel explained that the decision to provide free treatment is intended to keep these children from dying due to financial constraints, allowing timely medical intervention to save their lives.
The ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, the ministry's spokesperson, stated that the shortfall in treatment funds will be managed using the ministry's internal resources.
Similarly, Dr. Ujjawal Chalise, a clinical oncologist, told the Himalayan Times that cancer is increasing sharply every year in Nepal.
"There is a sharp increasing trend of cancer patients in three of the major cancer hospitals in Nepal based on the admission numbers of cancer patients. Additionally, many go abroad for treatments," he said. "Thus, the government decision to provide free treatment to children is a wise decision and should be implemented effectively."
However, he expressed his concern that increasing free service delivery is not only adequate. "It's that the health ministry should emphasise allocating sufficient budget and make the service accessible and affordable for every poor patient who fears to continue the treatment due to the lack of financial support," he added.
According to Dr Chalise, cancer treatments are divided into two stages-intensive treatment such as chemotherapy and long-term maintenance-which includes regular checkups and among others.
"But patients spend the majority of the money in the first phase and drop out in the second phase due to a lack of funds. So governments' decision will be critical if it is properly channelled and communicated to the poor and impoverished ones," he told THT.
Furthermore, the government has stated its commitment to ensuring that citizens have access to essential medicines at affordable prices.
In a meeting with the committee tasked with recommending appropriate medicine pricing, he stated that, while drug prices have not been adjusted in a long time, an immediate increase is required.
According to Paudel, price adjustments will be made to ensure that citizens have access to affordable medicines while also allowing drug producers and suppliers to make reasonable profits.
He also stated that medical expenses have forced approximately 500,000 people into poverty, a situation that requires immediate attention.
Last Thursday, during the unveiling of the government's first 100-day progress report, the Minister announced plans to lower drug prices. The committee, led by economist Dr. Poshraj Pandey, was formed just two days ago and is expected to make evidence-based recommendations for price adjustments.