Koshi Zonal Hospital last year announced the start of cancer treatment, but patients have not been able to access the service, thanks to lack of essential infrastructure at the health facility.

The hospital was all set to start chemotherapy after diagnosis of the disease, but doctors said the hospital lacked proper infrastructure.

“We are worried how we are going to provide quality medical services to people in the region,” said Dr Saugat Poudel. “However, we have been providing services to around 300 patients a year.”

The hospital does not have any option than to refer most of the patients to cancer hospitals in Bharatpur and Chitwan, as it lacks equipment and human resource.

Cancer patients from Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Ilam, Dhankuta and Taplejung come to the Koshi Zonal Hospital for treatment.

Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Roshan Pokharel said that plans were afoot to develop necessary infrastructure.

“We have requested the government to allocate budget,” said Dr Pokharel.