SHILLONG, April 21: Health and Family Welfare Minister, James PK Sangma on Thursday said the cancer wing of the Shillong Civil Hospital is functioning but there are issues which will be resolved soon.
Stating that the cancer wing is functioning in its own way, Sangma said, “We have expedited a lot of things and we have been in talks with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). I think there are some minor issues and they are in the process of being resolved.”
A senior official of the Health department said services, such as radio therapy, are fully functional and a lot of patients are being taken care of. The official said that machines are being procured with the help of Tata Cancer Institute, Mumbai to make the treatment accessible and hassle-free for patients.
Funded by the DAE, the cancer wing project was set in motion in 2008. The foundation stone was laid by former chief minister, Mukul Sangma on March 7, 2011.
The work to improve the overall functioning of the cancer wing could not materialize earlier due to shortage of funds and cost escalation in the pandemic, the official said, adding funding is being taken care of now.
According to reports, the cancer wing can admit 43 patients. The bed strength will be increased to 80 in a phase-wise manner.
On February 9, the High Court of Meghalaya declared the Meghalaya Cement Cess Act, 2010 as ultra vires and directed the state government to refund 20% of cess collected from two cement companies and invest 30% of total cess for the cancer wing.
The HC had asked the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to ensure 30% of cess collected illegally is invested for the procurement of special equipment for cancer treatment at the civil hospital.
Disposing of a PIL moved by Lurshaphrang Shongwan, the court had stated the CAG has been required to monitor that appropriate amount is infused by the state for obtaining advanced machinery for cancer treatment.
