Kathmandu, Oct 4: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that it is indispensable for general people to get easy access to quality health services.    

It is still a challenging issue for hospitals to be dedicated to cancer patients with limited resources and qualified workforce in a developing country like Nepal, she said today while addressing an event organised here to bid farewell to a 15-member team of Chinese doctors, who voluntarily and temporarily worked for the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur.    

Stating that cancer is a challenge to the world, she said that pollution, pesticide-laced food items, tobacco and alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle are a cause of the disease.    

"I am pleased with the goal of the hospital to develop it as a national cancer institution," said President Bhandari.    

On the occasion, she thanked and expressed her happiness to the Chinese team of doctors and the hospital family for their continuous service to cancer patients. The hospital was built with the financial and technical assistance of the Government of China.    

The President also honoured the doctors' team by providing them with a letter of felicitation. A team of Chinese doctors visit and voluntarily work for the hospital every year.    

Similarly, the chairperson of the hospital board of directors, Dr Nirmal Lamichhane thanked the doctors' team for their service and their contribution to the development of the hospital even amid COVID-19.