Submit your Article

Pediatric oncologist Krishna Sagar Poudel of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan has shared that of the total cases, more than 50 percent children with cancer disease are still out of hospital's access.

"More than 1,500 children in the country are estimated to have been diagnosed with cancer every year. But, only 50 percent of the estimates visit the hospitals. And, some 400 children with cancer visit the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital," he stated.

Dr Poudel said so at a program organized at the hospital on Thursday to distribute stationeries to the children with cancer.

On the occasion, he stated that 60 percent of the childhood cancer cases visiting the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital for treatment are cured.

He added that only 30 percent of the childhood cancer is cured in Nepal but it could be increased up to 80 percent given that the number of beds in the hospitals are increased and accessible treatment services are expanded.

The event was also organized to raise the parents on the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day.

The WHO has also enlisted Nepal in its focus in the global campaign against childhood cancer.

In Nepal, the government has ensured several services for free for the treatment of childhood cancer.

The macroeconomic report for the first half of the current fiscal year and the mid-term review of the monetary policy for fiscal year 2023-24, recently released by the Nepal Rastra Bank, shows positive developments in the external sector of the economy. The economy has experienced strong performance in sectors such as mining, construction, tourism and financial services. The resurgence of tourism after Covid has been remarkable, with a substantial increase in tourist arrivals contributing to economic activities and income generation. Infrastructure development, particularly in the energy sector, is expected to enhance production potential. Foreign exchange reserves have reached an impressive Rs 1,816.57bn by mid-January. This achievement is primarily fueled by a notable 25.3 percent increase in remittances amounting to Rs 733.33bn, which undoubtedly paints a positive picture of Nepal's external sector.

Prudent policy adjustments such as maintaining interest rate stability and implementing targeted measures like lowering interest rates for institutional fixed deposits in the mid-term review of monetary policy demonstrate a proactive approach to mitigating risks and stimulating economic activity. The Nepal Rastra Bank's decision to maintain the interest rate corridor while implementing measures to enhance its effectiveness shows its commitment to balanced monetary policies. Moreover, the focus on supporting agriculture and small to medium enterprises through regulatory retail portfolio arrangements reflects a dedication to growth and economic resilience.

While a healthy foreign exchange reserve is essential for economic stability, it is not a solution to all of our economic problems. The decline in exports, slow import growth, manufacturing slowdown, low demand for bank loans from the private sector and the lack of investment despite favorable conditions highlight the underlying issues plaguing our economy. The government has been consistently missing revenue targets. It is crucial to accurately assess economic indicators and devise appropriate policies. Worryingly, both the government and the central bank seem to be falling short in this regard. It is high time for the government and the central bank to shift their focus from highlighting nominal successes to implementing meaningful changes.

The CPN-UML has summoned the meeting of its Central Committee for February 20.

A Secretariat meeting of the party held at the party office on Thursday decided to hold its Central Committee meeting from January 20-22.

Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel summoned the party Central Committee meeting at the party office in Chyasal.

Pokharel said that the agendas of the Central Committee meeting were also discussed in the Secretariat meeting.

According to him, the current political situation and strengthening of the organization will be discussed in the Central Committee meeting.

He said that a broader discussion will also be held on mission grassroot and postal highway-centered campaigns.

Similarly, a decision was also made to establish its own party office.

General Secretary Pokharel said that a decision was made to conduct a campaign to collect Rs 100 from all the leaders and cadres for the same.

The CPN (Maoist Center) has decided not to change its name immediately.

The statute convention has also decided not to change its election symbol.

During a group discussion, there was a suggestion to change the party name and election symbol.

Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that a decision to change the party name and election symbol will be made at a specific time.

He was of the opinion that the party name can be changed in case of unity among many communist parties.

Party spokesperson Agni Sapkota also said that the party name and election symbol can be changed as per the need.

Similarly, the Maoist Center has decided to elect 11 office bearers and 199 Central Committee members through a directly elected system.

Sapkota said that committees will be formed from higher level to lower level from now onwards.

He said that the statute convention has become a good base for the General Convention.

Spokesperson Sapkota said that preparations are underway to hold the General Convention within a year if the date is not announced.

Likewise, the Maoist has decided to form province level committees in India, mid-east and across the globe.

Sapkota said that the Moist will conduct a postal highway-centered campaign of Tarai along with a reform campaign.

Ram Kumar Subedi and Shovakanta Dhakal have been found guilty in the Lalita Niwas land grab case.

Saying that the duo played a role in transferring the land of Lalita Niwas in the name of private individuals, the Special Court found Subedi and Dhakal among others guilty.

The joint bench of Special Court members Dr Khusi Prasad Tharu, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Ritendra Thapa issued the guilty verdict for their involvement in transferring the land of Lalita Niwas in the name of certain individuals.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has underscored the need of all political parties to move ahead with consensus for achieving prosperity.

Talking briefly to the media at Biratnagar Airport today, the Speaker of the lower house of the Federal Parliament said that the political parties needed to move ahead on the basis of consensus in plan formulation and implementation on the common topic of nation building.

He called on the political parties and all citizens to unite against the efforts being made to foment dislike towards the present political system.

"Information has been received that the government is preparing to introduce 61 bills in the current session of the parliament. Therefore, the Parliament will not have any shortage of business," the Speaker said and expressed the belief that the current session of parliament would be fruitful.

The Employment Permit Section Korea under the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) is conducting the Korean Language Test (KLT) from February 19.

According to EPS Korea, the exam will be held at National Vocational Training Academy, Bhainsepati.

Director at EPS Korea Maiya Kandel said that exams will be conducted in five shifts in a day and arrangements have been made to conduct exams for 1,000 students each day.

"Arrangements have been made to run exams on Saturday as well. Around 47,000 students can take their KLT in the first shift," Kandel added.

The students should appear for the biometric registration of their fingerprints a day before at the EPS Korea Section Office at Gwarko, Lalitpur. And the biometric would be verified at the examination center.

A Nepali delegation under Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud, on a visit to New Zealand since Tuesday (Feb 13), has held a series of discussions with officials of the host country in a bid to boost bilateral ties. 

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Saud held a bilateral meeting with Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of New Zealand at Wellington.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of bilateral relations and exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the areas of mutual interest, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Australia. 

Minister Saud also visited the Parliament of New Zealand and observed the Question Time at the Parliament where his presence was acknowledged by Gerry Brownlee, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand.

The Nepali society in Wellington together with the Honorary Consul of Nepal to New Zealand organized an interaction with the visiting delegation at Wellington. The interaction delved into matters relating to providing passport and consular services to the Nepali community in New Zealand more efficiently and utilizing the knowledge, expertise and skills of Nepalis residing in New Zealand for the benefit of Nepal. 

Minister Saud also visited Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum of New Zealand, and observed the vast repository of cultural attractions.

Earlier in the morning, the second edition of Nepal-New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultation (FMC) was held under the leadership of Rita Dhital, Joint Secretary, Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) Division at Nepal’s Foreign Ministry and Joanna Kempkers, Divisional Manager for South Asia and Southeast Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. 

The two sides took stock of various aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation through enhancement of economic and cultural engagements between the two countries. 

Minister Saud and his delegation will depart for Kathmandu from Wellington on Thursday.