KATHMANDU, Nov 13: The government has decided to provide Rs 5 million medical expense to Nepali Congress (NC) central leader Sujata Koirala for treatment of her breast cancer.

A meeting of Council of Ministers on Sunday took a decision to that effect.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi proposed providing Rs 10 million assistance to the ailing leader from the state coffers.  The Cabinet, however, agreed to provide only half of the proposed amount.

It is learnt that DPM and Home Minister Nidhi took the proposal to the Cabinet following a denial by the Minister for Health Gagan Kumar Thapa.

Few months ago, the Finance Committee of the Legislature-Parliament had directed the government not to distribute medial expense haphazardly and form a directive on doling out medical expenses.

Based on the direction of the House panel, the Ministry of Health had prepared a directive on providing medical expenses. The Cabinet meeting was scheduled to discuss the directive, but the meeting instead decided to provide the medical assistance to the NC leader.

Koirala was on a visit to Malaysia some three months ago when she was taken to a hospital after she complained of dizziness and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Meanwhile, Koirala left for Singapore for treatment today. She will undergo preliminary diagnosis at St Luke's Hospital.

“She left for Singapore as an appointment with the doctor has been fixed for tomorrow,” personal secretary of leader Koirala, Laxman Thapaliya told Republica Online. 

During her stay in Singapore, the leader will undergo a thorough diagnosis of the cancer.

Before leaving for Singapore, Koirala met Indian Army Chief Dalbir Singh at Tribhuvan International Airport.
 

 
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