Preparation for Establishing a Bone Marrow Center in Chitwan, Arrival of Chinese Team for Study
Nepal Health News, Chitwan:
A seven-member technical team from China has arrived in Nepal to study the possibility of starting bone marrow transplantation services at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital located in Bharatpur, Chitwan.
According to Dr. Shivaji Paudel, Executive Director of the hospital, the team will assess the conditions of various departments including the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Radiation Oncology, Laboratory, and Medical Oncology. They will evaluate the infrastructure and readiness for the transplantation service.
The team is led by Dr. Chahu Kwiming, who has special expertise in cancer treatment. This is the 15th team to come to Nepal to serve cancer patients.
Dr. Vijay Nyaupane, Chairperson of the Hospital Management Committee, informed that work is underway to start bone marrow transplantation services as soon as possible. According to him, a modern two-story building will be constructed adjacent to the hospital’s main building to provide this service.
The new center will be constructed on an area of 1,834 square meters, and necessary equipment and technologies will be installed there. Executive Director Dr. Paudel stated that the hospital will take over the service only after the construction is completed.
Currently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is underway at the Ministry of Forests and Environment. According to the Chinese team, if all procedures proceed smoothly, transplantation services could start within the next three years. The hospital believes that initially, bone marrow transplantation can be done for up to 50 patients annually.
As per the plan, the Chinese government has committed to providing full support from the construction of the facility to training doctors and technicians. This support was assured during the visit of then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to China in the month of Ashoj, 2080 BS (Nepali calendar).
Subsequently, on Ashoj 14, 2081 BS, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and China’s International Development Assistance organization regarding the project.
In this context, on Saun 5, 2082 BS, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, another agreement was signed to study the feasibility of establishing the bone marrow transplantation center along with the expansion of Civil Hospital. The agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay on behalf of the Government of Nepal and a representative from China.
