Pediatric oncology services in Nepal

Pediatric Oncology Services in Nepal

Cancer in children is one of the emerging noncommunicable diseases in Nepal with significant morbidity and mortality. Significant efforts are being made at the government and non-government level to provide awareness, early diagnosis, and effective treatment to improve the cure rate of children with cancer. The major challenges include: lack of education, late diagnosis, advanced disease at presentation, financial problems, geographical and transportation difficulties, and inconsistent supply of chemotherapy medicines.

Childhood cancer care delivery in Nepal is primarily through two government hospitals: One is Kanti Children’s Hospital (KCH), the only tertiary level pediatric hospital in Kathmandu, and the other is Bharatpur Cancer Hospital outside Kathmandu valley, near the border with India. Other government hospitals which provide some service for child cancer are Bir Hospital (National Academy of Medical Science), Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and Trivubhan University Teaching Hospital, all of which are in Kathmandu. Radiotherapy services are available at Bir Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital within Kathmandu valley and another two centers outside Kathmandu.
 
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