By Our Reporter
Shillong, Sep 4: The department of Surgical Oncology, NEIGRIHMS organised the annual conference of the Northeast India Association of Surgical Oncology (NASO) which saw a participation of close to 80 cancer surgeons from different parts of the country, including one from Bangladesh.
It was a two day event that was held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong on the 2nd and 3rd September.
The inaugural program was graced by Mr. James Sangma, former Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Meghalaya as the chief guest. Northeast India Association of Surgical Oncology (NASO), which is newly formed, was launched by the former Health Minister during the inaugural function.
The inaugural session focused on the high incidence of oesophageal and other tobacco-related cancers in Meghalaya, and the need to improve tobacco control.
The discussion in the conference revolved around latest techniques of surgery for three major cancers common in Northeast India- oesophagus (food pipe), breast and peritoneum (abdominal lining), were deliberated upon in great detail over one and a half days.
Dr Caleb Harris, the Organising Chairperson of the conference and Secretary, NASO, welcomed the gathering and said that development of surgical oncology services would increase the survival of cancer patients as surgery is the most important treatment modality to cure cancer. Further, Dr Nalin Mehta, Director of NEIGRIHMS emphasized on the need for multidisciplinary treatment of cancers, which he said is being offered at NEIGRIHMS and is set to be scaled up once the 252-bed Regional Cancer Centre becomes operational soon.
Dr SVS Deo, Head of Department of Surgical Oncology, AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr Joydeep Purkayastha, President also delivered their NASOCON oration.
The former was of the opinion that while installing equipment for delivering radiotherapy is necessary, training and building a team of surgical oncologists is most important to improve cancer survival in the state, while Purkayastha, said that the association aims to reach out to all states of Northeast India, to improve cancer care.
The theme, ‘Skill sets in Surgical Oncology’ was the theme for the conference and the deliberations focused on the skills needed for a surgical oncologist.