सुशील कोइराला प्रखर क्यान्सर अस्पताल
Ranjha (Banke), September 21:
Digambar Devasingh Rana, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-Ward 21, who was initially devastated after being diagnosed with breast cancer, is now leading a normal life following successful treatment at the Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital in Khajura.
Having undergone surgery two years ago, Rana returned to a normal state after receiving regular chemotherapy and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy). Receiving treatment for a life-threatening disease like cancer at a hospital close to home has brought him immense relief.
“Had I been forced to go to Chitwan or Kathmandu, it would have involved a lot of hardship and financial loss. Here, I was able to get treatment easily by commuting from home,” Rana said. “Ever since this hospital came into operation, it has made things much easier for thousands of citizens like me.”
According to the hospital’s Information Officer, Dr. Praveen Kumar Gupta, providing all necessary treatments for cancer patients right here in Khajura through advanced technology and a team of expert doctors has saved both time and money for the citizens of western Nepal. This has provided great relief to the general public both economically and psychologically.
With the hospital continuously expanding its advanced specialized cancer care services, the patient influx has increased significantly. Dr. Gupta noted that for cancer patients in western Nepal—who were previously compelled to travel to Kathmandu or Chitwan for treatment—the Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital is increasingly becoming a center of hope and trust.
Currently, the hospital provides vital services including ICU with state-of-the-art equipment, emergency care, surgery, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, CT scans, mammography, video X-rays, and radiotherapy.
The number of visiting patients has grown after the installation of a brachytherapy machine, which has also broadened the scope of surgeries. Information Officer Gupta shared that the radiotherapy service, which had been briefly affected due to technical issues, has now resumed.
Cancer specialist Dr. Mukesh Yadav stated that the hospital, situated in Khajura Rural Municipality-Ward 7 of Banke and targeting cancer patients from Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, is establishing itself as the premier cancer treatment center in western Nepal.
The hospital features an advanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for critical patients, complete with continuous monitoring and ventilator facilities. Additionally, round-the-clock emergency services, daycare, surgery, blood transfusion, ECG, and echocardiogram services are in operation. Dr. Yadav mentioned that the hospital delivers integrated care by ensuring 24-hour pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray, and ambulance services.
The history of the hospital’s establishment and development is inspiring. Initially advanced at the local level as the “Nepal Cancer Hospital,” it was officially named the Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital on Falgun 15, 2073 BS through a formation order.
Formal health services began at the hospital with the inauguration of its Outpatient Department (OPD) service on Ashar 11, 2074 BS by the then Minister of Health, Upendra Yadav. Furthermore, the hospital began providing surgical services from its own operation theater starting Mangsir 5, 2077 BS, according to founding chairman Kismat Kumar Kakshapati.
Kakshapati stated that with the expansion of services, the hospital has ended the compulsion for people in western Nepal to travel to the Bharatpur Cancer Hospital in Chitwan and the federal capital Kathmandu for cancer treatment.
Mentioning that permanent quotas have yet to be established at the hospital, he noted that service delivery currently relies on temporary, contract, and wage-based personnel. He expressed that if the government pays attention to securing permanent staffing quotas and developing infrastructure, the hospital’s services will become even more effective and accessible.
