Shillong, February 4 : The State Cancer Society of Meghalaya today organized the 2nd Meghalaya Cancer Conclave at Vivanta, Shillong, bringing together doctors from across the state and senior officials of the Health Department to deliberate on the growing cancer burden and strategies for early detection and treatment.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, attending as chief guest, emphasized that every cancer patient has a unique story and that society must confront the disease with urgency and compassion. He noted that India records nearly 1.56 million new cancer cases each year and that Meghalaya remains among the high-incidence states, with East Khasi Hills district particularly affected.
Shylla attributed the prevalence of cancer to tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with lack of awareness and reluctance to undergo timely screening. He expressed concern that participation in government screening programmes has declined despite expanded outreach over the past two years.
“People must seek medical check-ups while they are healthy instead of waiting for severe symptoms,” the Minister said, reiterating that the state government is providing free cancer treatment to patients.
In a video message, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated that nearly nine percent of the state budget has been allocated to healthcare. He said cancer services at Civil Hospitals in Shillong and Tura now provide free chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and palliative care, with advanced equipment currently being installed.
Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar informed that East Khasi Hills continues to record one of the highest cancer rates in the state, with 227.9 cases per one lakh male population. He stressed that late detection remains a major factor and that early diagnosis can significantly improve recovery rates.
Kumar pointed out that cancer treatment facilities are presently available only in Shillong, and district-level centres are yet to be established. The government, he said, is working toward setting up treatment facilities in every district and strengthening sample collection for early detection.
During the conclave, Minister Shylla launched several initiatives to strengthen cancer prevention and control, including: Field implementation of the Meghalaya Mission for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, Introduction of a Cancer Screening App and screening devices, A state-wide HPV testing programme.
He further inaugurated a collaborative project between the Government of Meghalaya and the Grace Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad, Telangana, focused on cancer control in West Khasi Hills district.
The Minister also felicitated the best-performing district under the NP-NCD programme and formally launched the Health Atlas prepared by the State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC), Meghalaya.
