Chitwan, January 5

With cancer patients increasing every year, the only state-owned cancer hospital, Chitwan Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur is all set to establish two branches in Dharan and Nepalgunj.

The health facility came up with the idea in coordination with Ministry of Health.

Deputy Director Dej Kumar Gautam of the health facility said they were expanding the hospital to ensure access to check-up and treatment of the disease.

Earlier, the government had formed a taskforce under the coordination of Joint-secretary Narayan Raj Timilsina of Ministry of Health and Population.

The task force comprises Joint-secretary Raghuram Bista of Department of Population, Dr Guna Raj Lohani, Chief at Department of Medical Service, Dr Chin Bahadur Pun, Executive Director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and Academic Coordinator of the health facility Dr Bijay Chandra Acharya.

“As the taskforce has already started its work, the services will be provided from this fiscal,” said Director Pun.

The team had handed over a report regarding operation expenses, budget and technical manpower, among others, based on extensive discussions and study.

The government had decided to expand the services on the basis of the report, according to Pun.

With the establishment of these branches, it will not be necessary for people from Mechi to Mahakali to come to Chitwan for check-up and treatment. “This move may easily pave the way for patients from far-flung areas to have access,” said Pun.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance will provide the budget and the hospital will manage skilled manpower.

In the first phase, state owned health facilities of the locations will begin services through OPD clinics.

Bharatpur Cancer Hospital has been facing pressure due to huge number of patients every day on the one hand, and on the other, the hospital has failed to deliver quality and timely services.

According to a hospital source, more than 30,000 people suffer from the disease every year.

Of them, only 8,000 patients have access to health services. “With those branches in operation, patients will be provided quality services at low cost, claimed the hospital source.