Rajbiraj, May 31

Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut today urged the general public to avoid smoking as it was the root cause of cancer.

Speaking at a function organised in Lahan of Siraha by Nepal Cancer Relief Society on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day today, CM Raut expressed his commitment that the provincial government would do the needful to prevent the disease besides supporting treatment. He also pledged necessary coordination with other organisations and health facilities working in the field of curbing cancer. CM Raut urged parents to make their children aware about the disease.

Central General Secretary of Nepal Cancer Relief Society Jeevan Hoda said that it was relevant to open a cancer hospital with public-private partnership in Province 2 and expressed his commitment to do the needful on his part.

Nepal Cancer Relief Society Siraha chapter Chairperson Ashok Amatya said they had established a cancer care centre in Lahan in coordination with Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. He urged CM Raut to take necessary initiatives and support the transformation of the care centre into a cancer hospital. He also said that Lahan Municipality was ready to provide 25 bigaha land for establishment of the cancer hospital.

Meanwhile, Dakaneshwori Municipality Mayor Shiva Narayan Sah said that they would launch a special campaign to prevent smoking in the vicinity of school areas.