CHITWAN, Aug 6: The BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital has begun infrastructure and medical preparations to introduce a bone marrow transplant service, a major step toward providing advanced cancer treatment in Nepal.
The project is being supported by the Chinese government, which will fund the construction of a dedicated building, procure medical equipment, and provide training for doctors and nurses.
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside flat bones that produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Diseases such as aplastic anaemia and blood or bone marrow cancer can damage this tissue, preventing it from producing healthy blood cells. In such cases, a bone marrow transplant becomes necessary.
Unlike organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation does not involve surgery or the removal of organs. The procedure involves extracting bone marrow or blood using a needle and transplanting it through an injection.
'Bone Marrow Transplant Unit' being set up at BP Koirala Memori...
Acting Executive Director Dr Umesh Nepal said a Chinese delegation spent two weeks at the hospital recently to discuss the project's infrastructure requirements. The team also consulted officials and technical experts from Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the Urban Development and Building Construction Project, and the Nepal Electricity Authority's Bharatpur Distribution Centre.
He said the project will move forward after a renewed agreement with the Government of Nepal. A three storey building will be constructed in front of the hospital's inpatient block.
According to Dr Nepal, the Chinese side aims to begin construction later this year. The Chinese government is investing around 37 million Chinese yuan, approximately Rs 840 million, in the project.
Former Executive Director Dr Shivaji Paudel said China will finance the construction, equipment procurement and training of medical personnel. Nepal and the China International Development Cooperation Agency have already signed an agreement for the project.
The bone marrow transplant unit will initially have five beds. Although the hospital had planned to operate the service from an existing building, it later decided to construct a new facility because the old infrastructure was unsuitable.
Soil testing at the construction site has already been completed.
Three doctors and several nurses from the hospital are currently receiving specialised training in China. Dr Paudel said three health workers have already completed six months of training, while five others have returned after a two-week programme. Additional training will continue under the Chinese government's support.
Chinese officials expect construction to be completed within 18 months of its commencement.
Dr Paudel said the facility will be Nepal's first modern bone marrow transplant unit of its kind. At present, patients requiring bone marrow transplants are forced to seek treatment abroad. Once the service begins, patients will be able to receive high quality treatment in Nepal at a much lower cost.
Established in 1994 with Chinese assistance, the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital has maintained close medical cooperation with China. Chinese doctors continue to provide treatment at the hospital, which serves patients from both Nepal and India.
