Cancer cases up in Kachankawal Rural Municipality
Until some years ago, five-six cancer patients approached the local government for recommendations and lately the number is on the rise.
BANIYANI: Cancer cases are on the rise at Kachankawal rural municipality in Jhapa.
According to the Office of the Rural Municipality, Health Section chief Jageshwor Prasad Yadav, the local government recommended 28 cancer patients for government financial assistance in a year (July, 2021 to August, 2022). Similarly, 12 cancer patients had received recommendations in the previous year.
Until some years ago, five-six cancer patients approached the local government for recommendations and lately the number is on the rise, according to him.
Unhealthy food habits and lifestyles are one of the major causes of cancer, he assessed. He stressed the need for establishing a food laboratory along the border areas. Food imports from neighboring India go on without any quality and safety check measures.
It may be noted that earlier high scale of pesticide residues was found in vegetables at the Birtamod-based vegetable market. The produces were imported from India. Following this, the import was briefly tightened.
Similarly, the local government recommended 11 kidneys and seven heart patients for medical assistance and dialysis.
The rural municipality recommends the Bharatpur Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan and Purbanchal Cancer Hospital, Birtamode for medical assistance and dialysis for cancer patients. Being based on the recommendation, the patient is eligible for a discount worth Rs 100 thousand on medical expenses.
According to the rural municipality vice chair Nawaraj Bhattarai, the local government also provides financial assistance from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 25 thousand in case of chronological diseases.
Besides, the local government ensures Rs 3,000 as the nutrition expense for a new mother, and Rs 5,000 as death rituals expenses.
The construction of a 15-bed medical facility is underway with investments of the Federal Government. There are a primary health center, nine health posts and two basic health centers in Kachankawal.
