KATHMANDU: Purbanchal Cancer Hospital is coming into operation in Birtamod, Jhapa from the third week of December.

The hospital with 300 beds will come into operation from the third week of December, according to Birendra Kumar Yadav, director of the hospital.

The building construction, which had started one and a half years ago following the approval from the Ministry of Health and Population at an estimated cost of Rs 4 billion, has reached the final stage, said Director Yadav, adding, “Currently required machines and other equipment are being installed.”

Three radiation machines worth Rs 450 are being installed. “We have already purchased three radiation machines and will install them at the hospital within three months,” said Yadav, adding, “We are establishing the hospital targeting cancer patients from Province 1 and Province 2.”

Hospital promoters believe that cancer patients from Province 1 and Province 2, who are are forced to go to India for treatment, will get relief once the hospital comes into operation.

“There is no cancer hospital in Province 1 and Province 2. Cancer patients have to go to India for treatment, currently. They will receive treatment in Province 1 itself once the hospital is established,” added Yadav.