Training Program in Nepal

Civil Service Hospital, Nepal

In Nepal, it is estimated that about 70 thousand suffer from cancer annually over half being females. Among Nepalese women cervical cancer is the commonest cancer followed by breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancers. Hospital based data in Nepal reveals female genital tract cancers are also very common among which cervical cancer is the commonest followed by ovarian, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, endometrial and vulval vaginal cancers.

Oncology is a newly expanding specialty in Nepal. The first national level comprehensive cancer hospital was built by the government in 1999. Since then few other private centers have come up. At present there are five cancer centers, five radiation units and medical college and health academies catering cancer care to the needy patients which is still not enough. In gynecologic oncology, there are about 15 trained gynecologic oncologists. To date, none of the universities or academies have formal courses in gynecologic oncology. Considering the volume of gynecological cancers, particularly cervical cancer, Nepal would benefit from improved infrastructure, more training in human resources, applicable cervical cancer screening programs and serious thought on a vaccination program.