KATHMANDU, Feb 5: In order to fight against cancer by unveiling a new plan of actions, the government is working for the formulation of the National Cancer Control Strategy 2080-87.
Ministry of Health and Population held a consultation meeting with the stakeholders on Sunday on the same issue on the occasion of World Cancer Day-2024.
During the event, Health Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet called for concerted efforts of all for the control of cancer. He added that the Strategy is expected to provide a great support for the reduction and control of the diseases gradually.
The strategy has the vision to promote a healthy life by reducing mortality rate and prevalence of the cancer disease. On the occasion, the doctors drew the attention of the government to increase supply of equipment and health workers along with increasing awareness for controlling cancer and ensuring access to treatment.
Chief of Oncology Department at Bir Hospital Prof Dr Bibek Acharya drew serious attention of the government for the lack of radiation machines, one of the key equipment needed for cancer treatment. He viewed that as high as 35 such radiation machines are required in the country but the number of radiation machines is just 11 at the state-owned and private hospitals. Prof Dr Acharya shared that accessible treatment for cancer is possible if the state took initiatives for this and added that the patients are waiting for four months for their turn in Bir Hospital while they are obliged to wait for three months in Bhaktapur Hospital.
He suggested that awareness campaigns were needed against lung cancer and uterine cancer as well as HPV vaccine should be given and its screening should be increased. World Cancer Day was observed by organizing various programmes against cancer in the country. The day is celebrated every year on February 4, with the theme for this year internationally being “Together, we challenge those in power”.
However, the theme for the day in Nepal is ' Challenge of Cancer is on the Rise, Let's Increase Access to Care'. It is said that about one-third of cancer deaths are caused due to tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy lifestyle and others. Similarly, the most common is lung cancer.