May 27, Kathmandu- Flow cytometry test to detect the 'variant' (type) of blood cancer has been started at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. The hospital has installed equipment for this and provided necessary training to doctors and technicians.

The hospital's laboratory department head Dr. Greta Pandey informed that more than 90 people have been tested by starting the 'flow cytometry' service. In the past, it was necessary to send the test to India at a high cost. With the introduction of this service by the hospital, the hospital has stated that this test can be done for just Rs. 12,000. When sending it abroad, a large amount of money had to be paid depending on the location. No body has accurate data on how many people get blood cancer every year in Nepal.

It is a high-level test performed by removing a bone marrow sample from the bone of a patient with blood cancer. Chief Dr. Pandey said, “It is a test to determine the type of blood cancer. The test is performed by removing a bone marrow sample from the spine.”

It is said that a doctor and a technician were sent to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital in India for training, and the test was started here as soon as they returned after completing the training.

Dr. Shivaji Poudel, the executive director of the hospital, said that the service has been expanded by installing machines and equipment to make cancer treatment more effective and training the human resources. Patients have directly benefited with this test. The hospital has stated that in recent times, the cancer hospital has been intensifying the work of adding equipment and training the human resources to make its services more effective.