Meghalaya involved Village Health Councils in its fight against cancer

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 18, 2022

In bid to strengthen its fight against cancer which is in the rise in Meghalaya, the State Government has involved community participation through village health councils for reaching out to the rural masses to create awareness on cancer.

This was informed by James P K Sangma, Health & Family Welfare Minister after he inaugurated the DAE-Civil Hospital Cancer Wing, Civil Hospital Shillong: OPD Facility/ Indoor Facility & Day Care Facility in Civil Hospital Shillong on Thursday.

Stating that this is the first cancer wing in a state run hospital, Sangma informed that Meghalaya has implemented the First Cancer Care (FCC) Project which will work in tandem with the cancer wing. He also said FCC has been brought in order to screen for early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment which will have a huge impact on how the cancer patients are treated thereby increasing the rate of survival of patients, he said.

The Health Minister informed government is in the process of establishing a similar cancer wing in Tura and hopes that through these initiatives and interventions the state will be able to take care of cancer in a focused manner which will help in combating this disease.

During the day the Minister also launched a book titled ‘Meghalaya Mission Cancer Prevention and Early Detection’ which can be downloaded from the official website of the State Cancer Society of Meghalaya.

The programme was also attended by Shri Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ram Kumar S, Mission Director, NHM, Dr P Kumar, Regional Director, Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research, among others.