• The Ministry of Health says it needs Rs 78 crore this fiscal for the purpose

Kathmandu, December 17

The Ministry of Health today said it was planning to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to poverty-stricken patients of cancer, kidney and spinal injury.

At a press meet organised at MoH today, Minister for Health Deepak Bohara said the proposal was sent to the Cabinet for approval. The provision will come into effect as soon as the Cabinet endorses it.

“Financial assistance will be given to those seeking free dialysis services, cancer patients and those suffering from paralysis due to spinal injury. Those patients who have already received Rs 100,000 will also get additional assistance,” said Minister Bohara. The money will be collected in the Health Security Fund through Health Security Tax.

“An additional tax will be levied on alcohol and cigarettes and patients to raise money for the fund,” he said.

The additional assistance will also help maintain a record of patients suffering from these diseases. The health ministry will need Rs 78 crore in the current fiscal for the purpose,” he added

In the fiscal 2016-17, 4,271 people have received haemodylasis service, 142 kidney transplants have been performed and 198 patients are under medication after kidney transplant. Likewise, 8,643 patients have received assistance for cancer treatment this fiscal  so far.

Poverty Stricken Citizens Fund was established after the second people’s movement to provide financial assistance to poverty-stricken patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, renal failure, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, head and spinal injury, sickle cell anaemia and stroke are covered under this programme. A total of 17,471 new and old patients have taken financial assistance for the treatment of these diseases.

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