Now even rare cancer medicines are free in Nepal: 37 types of medicines available in government hospitals under Minister Paudel's initiative

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – Minister of Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has announced that rare and essential medicines used in cancer treatment will now be available free of cost in Nepal.

To address the problem of patients having to go abroad for treatment due to unavailability of certain medicines in Nepal, Minister Paudel took a special initiative. As a result, the international charity Direct Relief has committed to providing 37 types of cancer medicines. The first batch of these medicines has already arrived in Nepal.

Previously, Minister Paudel had decided to obtain such medicines and distribute them for free through government hospitals.

Speaking at an event organized to hand over the medical aid sent by Direct Relief through the One Heart Worldwide organization to the Government of Nepal, Minister Paudel said that this success came after long efforts aimed at easing the burden on patients who otherwise had to travel abroad and spend large sums due to medicine shortages.

Minister Paudel stated that Direct Relief will supply these rare and expensive cancer medicines—including those used to treat breast cancer, skin cancer, and various other types—based on Nepal's needs for a period of five years.

“Cancer medicines are very expensive and pose a major challenge for low-income citizens,” said Minister Paudel. “We’ve tried to bring relief to many people even without government expenditure.”

Although 37 types of medicines are currently being brought in phases, Minister Paudel mentioned that efforts will be made to secure additional medicines as well. “We’ll expand the list to provide relief to even more citizens,” he added. He also informed that arrangements have been made to immediately distribute the medicines to government cancer hospitals.

Highlighting that a lack of awareness about available health services and insurance has prevented people from utilizing them, Minister Paudel urged the media to prioritize spreading such information to help the public.

Dr. Bhim Sapkota, Head of the Ministry's Coordination Division, confirmed that an agreement has been made to receive medicines as per Nepal’s needs over the next five years. Surya Bhatt, Nepal representative of One Heart Worldwide, stated that this major achievement for Nepal was possible only because of Minister Paudel’s special initiative.

According to Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the medicines and medical supplies used for treating breast cancer, plaque psoriasis, Alzheimer’s, and other health conditions will be distributed free of cost to cancer patients at the following four hospitals:

• BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur

• Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur

• Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Banke

• Bir Hospital, Kathmandu

These medicines and supplies were officially handed over to the Ministry today and immediately dispatched to the above hospitals involved in cancer treatment.