Govt. working to ensure free basic health services: Minister Khapung

Chitwan, Sept 26: Minister for Health and Population, Bhawani Prasad Khapung, has said the government was working to provide basic health services free of cost.

At a programme organised on the occasion of 23rd anniversary of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, and 18th Cancer Awareness Day, Minister Khapung mentioned that free basic health service would be provided at health posts and municipal-level hospitals.  

The government has been providing 78 types of medicines free of cost and Rs 100,000 to those suffering from eight types of chronic diseases, he shared.  

Saying that activities are underway to associate all to the health insurance, he said the bodies concerned had been urged for the payment of the remaining amount of the hospitals as soon as possible.

 Minister Khapung said a process to purchase PET scan machine is underway. Mentioning that BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital is the most important hospital of the country, he assured of providing possible support from his side for its development. 

Similarly, Minister of State at the office of the Prime Minister, Umesh Shrestha, said the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital should be upgraded to a Foundation by merging other hospitals with Cancer Hospital. 

Stressing the need of spreading awareness regarding cancer disease, he pointed out the need of bringing PTE scan machine at this hospital. (RSS)