Shillong: Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek on Thursday informed members of the Assembly that East Khasi Hills district has the highest rate of tobacco-related cancer in the country.
He said Civil Hospital Shillong under East Khasi Hills district has registered 7014 cancer patients from 2015 to 2019 of which 4350 were males and 2664 females.
Replying to a query posed by Independent legislator Syntar Klas Sunn, the minister said.
The health department is in the process of augmenting the existing cancer treatment at the Civil Hospital Shillong by setting up a Cancer Treatment Centre, namely, the DAE-Civil Hospital Cancer Wing and steps are being taken to make it functional as early as possible.
The same will be equipped with the latest radiotherapy treatment facilities, Hek said.
He further informed that the department of oncology, Civil Hospital, Shillong is already catering to the need of cancer patients with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, pain and palliative care services and surgical oncology.
Replying to a query raised by Opposition Congress legislator Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh regarding the hardship faced by poor patients, the minister said patients from BPL families were provided with free treatment in Civil Hospital Shillong.
Hek also informed that the department of Oncology of Civil Hospital Shillong is already catering to the need of cancer patient with radiation therapy, chemotherapy pain and palliative care services and surgical oncology.
