Medicines for childhood cancer handed to government

Kathmandu, Feb 20: The first shipment of medicines for pediatric cancer was handed to the government amidst a programme at the Ministry of Health and Population today. 

A delegation comprising the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nepal representative Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav and Chief Health at UNICEF Nepal Country Office, Budhi Setiawan, handed the medicines to Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel.

These medicines, received under the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines—an initiative launched jointly by WHO and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital—will be distributed to Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Kanti Children's Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, and Bharatpur Cancer Hospital for treatment. The shipment is expected to be sufficient for Nepal for a year.

As per the agreement, Nepal will receive pediatric cancer medicines of 35 different types free of charge for five years (2025-2030). This arrangement was made following a March 27, 2024, agreement between Nepal, WHO, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In his address to the programme, Minister Paudel said the government is focused on cancer prevention through the implementation of the Nepal Cancer Control Strategy. He also highlighted that the government has ensured free treatment for childhood cancer to eliminate financial barriers, ensuring that no child dies from cancer due to lack of funds. “We hope this assistance will play a crucial role in making cancer treatment more effective.” 

The Ministry has committed to procuring refrigerators for four hospitals, as well as hygrometers for proper storage of the medicines and handing them to the hospitals.

Each year, Nepal records around 1,500 cases of childhood cancer, but limited access to services means many children do not receive treatment. Only about one-third of these children have access to care. While the survival rate for childhood cancer in Nepal is just 30 per cent, it exceeds 80 per cent in developed countries. (RSS)