According to World Health Organization statistics, the number of children dying with cancer is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Nepal, almost four times the number of such deaths in developed country nations. Most of the victims belong to low and middle-class families. Doctors estimate that around 1,500 pediatric patients with cancer arrive at hospitals in Nepal while others cannot afford to visit the hospitals.
Even though there are limited resources and equipment available, 95% of cancers seen in children can be detected in the hospital, but the problem is that people cannot afford the treatment. Once the patient is diagnosed with cancer they have to follow up on the treatment for at least 5 years. The course involves expensive medicine for many years which is hard for low and middle-income people to afford. Although a small incentive is provided by the Nepali government, it is usually only enough to cover initial testing and some early treatment.
This article reveals that about 100 children are diagnosed with cancer at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital annually. But 60% of them do not follow the treatment regimen and only 30% of them complete treatment. In Kanti Children’s Hospital, 200 children are diagnosed annually, but 10% of them do not show up again while another 10% of them abandon treatment when they are halfway through. The reason behind this is many patients and their families have to come to the capital city (Kathmandu) prepared to rent a room. This factor plays a significant role in giving up on the treatment course and losing hope for the lives of their children. In addition, the blood test that detects cancer is sent to India for the examination which costs about Rs 25,000-50,000 (approx $215-$425 USD). If the test equipment were available in Nepal it would only cost Rs 5,000 (about $43 USD).
The average overall treatment expense an individual requires at Kanti Children’s Hospital is Rs 400,000-500,000 (approx $3,400-$4,250 USD). Whereas, in a private hospital, average total costs are Rs 1.5 to 2.5 million (approx $12,750-$21,300 USD). Doing the math, with the cost of treatment done in private hospitals, six children can get treatment at Kanti Children’s Hospital.
The success rate of cancer in Nepal is still unmoving because people are visiting the hospital too late. The survival rate in developed countries is 80% whereas it is just 37% in an underdeveloped country. However, to increase the survival rate we need to raise awareness among people and local medical staff. If we can just reach out to children and families who are not aware of childhood cancer, we can start to save a lot more lives.
Source: Online Khabar
https://english.onlinekhabar.com/hundreds-of-nepali-families-lose-their-kids-to-cancer-because-they-cant-afford-available-treatment.html
