Pokhara, 8 September | Cancer patients from Gandaki Province will now receive an additional Rs 100,000 in financial assistance from the provincial government for treatment in Kathmandu. The new support has been introduced with the objective of reducing the heavy financial burden faced by cancer patients and their families during medical treatment.
The Ministry of Health of the Gandaki Province Government signed memorandums of understanding on Monday with two major hospitals in Kathmandu, Patan Academy of Health Sciences and Kanti Children’s Hospital. Under the agreement, eligible residents of Gandaki Province receiving cancer treatment at these hospitals will receive an additional Rs 100,000 per patient for treatment expenses.
The financial assistance provided by the provincial government will be separate from the treatment facilities and subsidies already available through the federal government. Previously, residents of Gandaki Province were receiving medical support equivalent to Rs 100,000 under the federal government’s cancer treatment assistance programme. With the additional provincial contribution, patients will now have greater financial support to manage the high costs associated with cancer treatment.
According to Dr. Yuwanidhi Basaula, Secretary at the Gandaki Province Ministry of Health, the agreement was signed to make it easier for provincial residents to receive cancer treatment in Kathmandu. He said the government’s primary objective is to provide financial relief to citizens suffering from cancer and reduce the economic difficulties that often prevent families from continuing necessary treatment.
Officials and representatives from both hospitals, along with health sector authorities, were present during the signing of the agreement on Monday. The provincial government’s initiative is expected to provide significant relief, particularly to economically disadvantaged patients and those suffering from complex forms of cancer that require expensive and long-term treatment.
Many cancer patients from Gandaki Province are required to travel to Kathmandu for specialised medical services. Besides the direct cost of treatment, families often face additional expenses for medicines, surgery and other medical procedures. The Ministry of Health has stated that it is moving forward with the process to implement the new arrangement immediately.
The additional Rs 100,000 assistance is expected to help reduce the financial pressure caused by expensive cancer treatment and make essential healthcare services more accessible to residents of Gandaki Province.
