Nepal Cancer Relief Society

NCRS members at a local event.

Diwakar Rajkarnikar, a Nepali restaurateur, doesn't have any hobbies, unless one considers social work, fundraising, health advocacy and medical team building hobbies. For the past 14 years, Rajkarnikar has been a key player in the success of the Nepal Cancer Relief Society, which, with 36 branches established throughout Nepal and 7,000 cancer volunteers, has made significant inroads in cancer management.

Rajkarnikar has been secretary general, Vice President, and now President of the Nepal Cancer Relief Society, which was established in 1982 by the late Princess Jayanti Shah. He is also chairman of the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital inaugurated in 1998 by His late Majesty the King Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev, and run by Nepal Cancer Relief Society and the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Bagmati. Through partnerships with 32 other Rotary Clubs in Kathmandu, and 33 more throughout the country, the Nepal Cancer Relief Society has enlisted the aid of the country's more affluent citizens who are working to spread the word about cancer prevention programs, the importance of early detection, and the dangers of smoking. Their success in raising money for cancer treatment, cervical and breast cancer screening programs and anti-smoking campaigns is impressive.

“Every walk of life is represented in Rotary, an organization committed to social work,” he says. “We asked all the presidents and district officers to present a program on cancer, so we could provide them with information. We did one educational program in Kathmandu Valley, and now they all understand the importance of advocacy and are stepping forward to join hands with Nepal Cancer Relief Society to fight against cancer. Our annual Walkathon is just one example. We had 6,000 participants and raised 2.6 million rupees (about $35,000 USD) in cooperation with Rotary for the free treatment of destitute cancer patients in Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.

Rajkarnikar takes his message to anyone who will listen: such as school children, women's organizations, nursing students, journalists, college students, volunteers of political parties, film artists, sports organizations and religious groups, both Buddhists and Hindus. “We've talked to church groups of 800 to 1,000 people, with the message that cancer is preventable, and that those with cancer can be cured if treated early. Nepalese women get married at a very young age and generally have six or seven children. We are advocating that young girls wait to get married. We encourage married women to be screened for cervical cancer, and we encourage everyone to refrain from using tobacco. That is especially difficult. It is a tradition in Nepalese homes to offer their guests tobacco and in some rural districts. 72% of the population smokes.”

His efforts are working. More than 6,000 women have been screened for cervical cancer through clinics held in Bhatkapur Cancer Hospital and at Scheer Hospital, and operated with the support of INCTR and IARC. Posters, pamphlets, even popular music geared to young people are giving the message. And, for the past 18 months, a corporate partnership with Kodak Film has generated 100,000 rupees a month for cancer prevention and treatment in Bhaktapur.

“Many successful businessmen in Nepal are men of faith who have a sense of social responsibility,” says Rjkarnikar. “Because I know the chairman of Kodak, I encouraged him to give something to cancer. He immediately agreed and proposed to donate two rupees for every roll of film sold in Nepal. After one year, sales of Kodak film have increased tremendously. It's a win-win situation. The company is profiting and Nepal Cancer Relief Society is benefiting.”

Rajkarnikar has persuaded Castroll executives to donate 2% of sales to the Nepal Cancer Relief Society, and he is approaching Noodles manufacturing companies with similar proposals. Even the government is pitching in. At the suggestion of the Nepal Cancer Relief Society, the Minister of Health agreed to levy a tax on cigarettes in order to generate money for a Health Tax Fund, which is used for the prevention and treatment of tobacco-related disease such as cancer and heart disease. The Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital has been receiving 2% of that fund, with the remainder going to government hospitals. About $3.5 million USD is deposited in that fund each year.

But Rajkarnikar has struck another deal. For the next five years, the Nepal Cancer Relief Society will receive 15% of the Health Tax Fund in start-up money, needed to purchase hospital equipment and for infrastructural development.

“At the end of five years, we'll be self-sufficient,” Rajkarnikar says. “The government has said that this is the best example of collaborative work in the whole of Nepal.”