Mar 20, Kathmandu- Three government hospitals are set to provide free medicines to patients suffering from cerebral palsy (brain stroke). The medicines have been made available with the support of the American donor organization 'Direct Relief' and the facilitation of Nepal's 'One Heart Worldwide'.

The Ministry of Health and Population held a press conference today and stated that these medicines will be available in the initial phase at Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and Bharatpur Hospital.

At the medicine handover program, Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel expressed gratitude to the organization for providing the expensive medicine needed for cerebral palsy. He said, "It was difficult to purchase this medicine from the state treasury and provide it to those in need. The goal is to distribute it to other hospitals as needed. We have also requested other expensive medicines from the donor organization."

Dr. Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, Director of the Management Division of the Department of Health Services, said that essential and life-saving medicine for cerebral palsy has been received. According to him, 800 vials of the medicine 'Altiplase' have been made available.

He said, "There is a possibility of cerebral palsy when blood clots suddenly form in the blood vessels in the brain. If this medicine can be used within four and a half hours in such a person, the patient's life can be saved".

According to Dr. Rayamajhi, this medicine contains 20 milligrams in a vial and costs Rs 70,000 per vial. He said, "A skilled health worker (neurologist) is required to use this medicine. Therefore, we have planned to provide it from three hospitals in the initial phase. Later, it will be available in federal hospitals in all provinces as per the requirement."

He said that this medicine is stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius in the 'cold chain' of the Management Division of the Department of Health Services and will be provided as per the requirement. In Nepal, 300 to 400 patients with paralysis come to health institutions for treatment every year.