Cancer wing yet to start

SHILLONG: The delay in the commissioning of cancer wing of Shillong Civil Hospital has affected the cancer patients in Meghalaya.
An official source said on Sunday that though the building is ready, the necessary equipment are yet to be installed leading to the delay.
The officials of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) had visited the Caner wing several times to assess the status of the project.
According to the official, since the civil works of the cancer wing have been completed, the government will have to meet DAE officials to discuss the installation of equipment.
The plan of the state government is to have a public-private partnership to make the cancer wing operational. A tender will have to be called in the form of Expression of Interest or Request for Proposal from the private parties to run the cancer wing, sources added.
The DAE had projected over Rs 26 crore for the project and initially Rs 10 crore was released for the construction of the building. The DAE wanted the remaining amount to be utilised for the equipment.
However, the state government requires additional funds as the cancer wing will also work as a radio therapy centre.
The Tribal Affairs Ministry had also sanctioned Rs 300 crore to check radiation once the equipment are installed as per the guidelines of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.