Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (previously Bhaktapur Cancer Care Centre) is the only charitable cancer hospital in Nepal. Located at Bhaktapur, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Kathmandu, the hospital serves the people of Kathmandu Valley and many more from rest of Nepal for cancer related illnesses. The hospital is run by a total staff of 54 including nine doctors, six technicians, eighteen nurses and the budget to run is about Rs. 8 millions* a year.

His Majesty's Government has committed an annual grant of 3.5 million rupees* and the rest has to be met with patient's charges of about Rs. 5,000* per patient for total treatment. There are a lot of destitute in Nepal, especially in the hills and the villages who cannot afford to pay for such treatment if they contract cancer. Patients needing help are identified by the Charity Committee associated with BCH, the Chairman of which is Rotarian Ganesh Bahadur Thapa, who is ex-Governor of State Bank of Nepal.

Present Status - BCH is at present regarded as curative wing of Nepal Cancer Relief Society and the latter is registered with CDO as one of the NGOs in Nepal. BCH is run independently by an Honorary Autonomous Committee equally represented by Nepal Cancer Relief Society, The Rotary Clubs of Nepal and the Public of Bhaktapur with the incumbent President of NCRS as the Honorary Chairman. BCH has grown to such an extent treating cancer patients with Radiotherapy, Surgery and Chemotherapy with both in patient and out patient facilities that we have changed the name to Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (from Bhaktapur Cancer Care Centre). BCH has applied to the Ministry of Health for registration as a Nepal hospital.

Nepal Cancer Relief Society has raised funds through public donations and extended the Hospital with one storey. The number of patients attending the hospital for treatment has gone up to more than 3000 a year in comparison to 700 three years ago and the Radiotherapy patients also from 66 in 1999 to more than 400 a year now. The hospital has introduced internal audit, professional standard watchdog, medical ethics, complaints procedure, etc. for better standards of the hospital. The Committee has already raised enough funds to add 8 beds to existing 25 beds for in patient treatment.

The Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Management Committee decided to initiate a project Cancer Upachar Dan with the aim to provide free treatment or subsidy of Rs. 5,000* to 200 destitute cancer patients a year costing 10 Lakhs*. This project has a target to raise Rs. 1 Crore* including $10,000 already raised by The Rotary Club of Mansfield in UK which would enable to treat 200 patients a year free of charges for 25 to 40 years depending upon the investment income between 5 to 10% a year.

Status Update 11/21/03 - The number of new patients attending in one year has gone up to 2575 last year in comparison to 280 four years ago and similarly the radiotherapy treatment has gone up to 400+ from 60 four years ago. However we desperately need infrastructure development to keep pace. We have put a strong appeal for funds for a new 72 bed modern Hospital Ward, a new Operation Theatre, Guest House and a Simulator.

*  As of November 12, 2002 Nepal Rupees (Rs.) / U.S. Dollars ($) exchange rate:

    $1 = Rs. 79.538

    Rs. 8,000,000 = $108,697
    Rs. 3,500,000 = $47,555
    Rs. 5,000 = $68
    Rs. 10 Lakhs = Rs. 1,000,000 = $13,587
    Rs. 1 Crore = Rs. 10,000,000 = $135,871

    1 Lakh = 100,000
    1 Crore = 10,000,000

Submitted by:
Dr. Bibek Pradhan
November 11, 2002

Update 7/21/03:

1)  New Laboratory at BCH - The Rotary Club of Derby, UK and Rotary Club of Kantipur, Nepal did a Matching Grant Project of US$10,000 to buy new Haematology and Histopathology Equipment to serve the cancer patients. The New Lab is housed in new extension of the building and was inaugurated on 28 October 2002. The patients are getting subsidised laboratory tests as a result.

2)  New Extension - BCH raised funds from public and added a new storey greatly improving the function of the hospital.

3)  Guest House - Local Municipality donated substantial land adjacent to BCH and BCH has just started building a Guest House for patients and relatives who have to stay at Bhaktapur for several weeks for treatment. It is a big plus.

4)  Statistics of treatment at BCH - the latest statistics are very impressive. It is incredible to do such an amount of work with so little facilities and infrastructure. This is the result of the dedication of the staff.

5)  Cancer Upachar Dan - this program is doing quite well in UK but the progress in Nepal is bit disappointing. However in October 2003 we hope to push this project in Nepal. The object is to raise 80% donation from Nepal.
 

Submitted by:
Dr. Bibek Pradhan
July 21, 2003

Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Bhaktapur, Nepal

Contact: Dr. Bibek Pradhan, B.Pradhanntlworld.com

July 21, 2003