KATHMANDU, 22 August 2021, (TON): Minister of State for Health and Population Umesh Shrestha has announced to establish national cancer institute in Bharatpur. The institute would be based on the premises of the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital because the hospital owns enough lands for the project, he said at a welcome programme organised here.

On the occasion, he said that he had directed Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokharel to halt the decision of the previous government to open a study and research institute that would look after the hospital, Bharatpur Cancer Hospital and Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital in Banke, at Bharatpur Cancer Hospital following protests being poured in from all quarters.

He said that BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital would be developed as a study and research center relating to cancer, adding that the government would do its part at the maximum level for the project.

The Minister of State also pledged to increase a grant given to a cancer patient for treatment from the existing Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000.