Treating Cancer In Kids

Until a few years ago, cancer treatment services were available only at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan. However, these services have been expanded nationwide lately, making cancer treatment accessible to people. With effective treatment available in the country, people no longer have to seek treatment abroad. But people living in remote areas and those with limited financial means still find it difficult to receive cancer treatment.

In Nepal, 71 per cent of total deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases. Of them, 11 per cent die due to cancer, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population. Likewise, each year, approximately 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, only about one-third of them receive treatment, mainly because of limited access to medical facilities and financial resources, leading to higher mortality rates. 

The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that children under 14 will receive free cancer treatment. Children, who discontinue treatment due to lack of funds, will greatly benefit from this scheme. This is commendable initiative that is expected to support those families unable to afford the treatment.

With the rising number of children detected with cancer, the government has been grappling to tackle this emerging health challenge. It decided to treat children with cancer free of cost from November 6. If this facility has been extended to the nook and corner of the country, most of the children will be able to avail themselves of this service. This will definitely help reduce the financial burden of the children families. 

These services will be available in the government-owned hospitals -- Kanti Children’s Hospital Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Bhaktapur and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, announced Minister for Health and Population Pradip Poudel on Sunday. Cancer in kids has a higher chance of cure than in adults. The survival rate of childhood cancer in high-income countries is more than 85 per cent. However, the survival rate is less than 40 per cent in the poor countries like ours. 

Factors like delayed diagnosis, lack of diagnostic services, financial constraints and inadequate infection prevention have proven an uphill task in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer. In 2022, a total of 22,000 new cancer cases were reported in Nepal and more than 1,400 people lost their lives due to the terminal disease.  

The combined efforts of government, national and international organisations, and healthcare professionals can help combat childhood cancer. After the introduction of free treatment, children from low-income groups are likely not be deprived of treatment and the compulsion to discontinue cancer due to economic problem would be mitigated significantly.

 Since the constitution has stipulated that every citizen has right to health, it is imperative for the government to introduce this sort of health facilities, targeting the vulnerable population. Many people living in the far-flung parts of the country have no access to the health facilities. This calls for increasing the budget for the health services. The government is expected to announce similar welfare schemes for the citizens.