Health Minister Gagan Thapa has said the Government is working on a plan to provide financial assistance of NPR 500,000 to cancer patients.
Addressing a program organized at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital on Monday, the Health Minister said the Government was preparing to increase the monetary assistance to cancer patients so that their treatment would be easier.
Currently, the Government provides NPR 100,000 to those cancer patients who come from poor and indigent communities.
Thapa said, “Treatment of cancer is costly. The Ministry has proposed the Finance Ministry to increase the monetary assistance being provided to cancer patients and it is awaiting an approval from there (Finance Ministry) to implement its plan.”
Stating that the Government had laid its focus on making the citizens health conscious and encouraging them to adopt healthy habits to prevent them from falling sick, the Health Minister further said the Government was working to increase the efficiency of the Government-run hospitals across the country for the relief of patients with chronic diseases.
Besides, the Government has extended the services of the Gangalal National Heart Center outside the valley as well. According to Minister Thapa, center’s services are being provided by the Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj and also, a cancer hospital in commemoration of the Late Girija Prasad Koirala has been established in Nepalgunj. He further said the Government was preparing to introduce a health insurance proposal to a meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held on April 20, seeking its endorsement and the health insurance of all citizens will be mandatory from the next fiscal year.
He assured to financially assist the hospital to purchase the technical materials and equipment required.
Couple Chinikaji Shrestha and Shanta Devi Shrestha of Bagbazar, Kathmandu who contributed NPR 40 million to construct the new infrastructure at the Hospital, were also present at the occasion on Monday.
Reference: The Himalayan Times