By: Shelby Washington
The Lahan Cancer Care Center (NLCCC) in Nepal was established in 2014 by the Lahan municipality to offer education, awareness and screening services to patients, including those that require surgery and advanced therapies at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Kathmandu.
The local community faced limited access to advanced healthcare infrastructure, and patients had to travel quite far to receive proper cancer care.The increasing number of cancer cases and the lack of adequate screening and early detection facilities encouraged Lions to take action and upgrade the NLCCC to better accommodate the healthcare needs of the local population and surrounding areas.


The District 325-A2 Lions used a US$97,500 Matching Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to make enhancements to the NLCCC. The original plan was to equip the center with the following essential medical equipment; an ultrasound system, mammography screening equipment, an x-ray system, a computed radiography system, anesthesia equipment, an operating table and light, and five hospital beds. Lions also provided additional equipment including batteries to power medical equipment, four bedside cabinet locker units, four bed monitors and two x-ray monitors.
The updated center is now operational and patients have already experienced improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes. In the long run, the upgraded facilities at NLCCC are set to provide consistent quality cancer care, benefitting an expanding amount of patients in the community and nearby areas.
The project is expected to have a direct impact on approximately 5,000 to 6,000 cancer patients annually within the center itself. Additionally, the access to improved healthcare services and advanced diagnosis and treatment facilities provided by NLCCC will benefit around 2,000 individuals in the outreach camps. These numbers are expected to increase by 5-8% each year.


Through regular outreach programs, facilitated by specialized visiting doctors from prominent hospitals like Bharatpur Cancer Hospital or Harisiddhi Cancer Hospital, the community is taking a big step forward. With the center now easily accessible, local patients can avoid the long journeys for treatment. This convenient location will encourage regular check-ups and timely diagnoses, improving the long-term health and quality of life in the community.
Through Matching Grant projects, communities gain access to education, technology, health care, safe places for children to play and many other life-changing improvements. After Lions have determined what a community needs most, these grants help Lions make their service dreams a reality.
Learn more about how LCIF India can help your community through Matching Grants.