Kathmandu, May 25

Not only does cancer take enormous toll on the health of patients, it renders family members homeless. According to a study, nearly 16 per cent of families have to sell their houses and land if a family member is diagnosed with cancer.

The government provides Rs 100,000 to each cancer patient for treatment, but it is not enough.

A research conducted by Action Nepal with the approval of Nepal Health Research Council shows that not only cancer patients, but the family members of the patient also face the brunt of the disease.

The research conducted among 103 patients of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur Cancer Hospital, and Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Centre shows that a cancer patient has to spend around Rs 981,370 on treatment.

Chair of Action Nepal Ananda Bahadur Chand said of the total expenses, 60 per cent was medical cost, 12.5 per cent non-medical cost such as transport, lodging and food, and 27.5 per cent was wages loss. The government earns Rs 14.1 billion revenue from tobacco while Rs 35.79 billion is spent every year on treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

“The government needs to double the tax to decrease the consumption of tobacco,” shared Chand.