SHILLONG, Jan 28: The Health Department is likely to appoint a radiation safety officer (RSO) from Assam for the resumption of radiation treatment of cancer patients at the cancer wing of Shillong Civil Hospital.
The radiation treatment at the civil hospital was discontinued after the RSO resigned in June last year. Cancer patients at the hospital have been referred to the NEIGRIHMS since.
An RSO is crucial for cancer treatment, health officials said.
“A person from Assam is expected to join as the RSO next month,” a source in the department said.
Cancer patients undergoing treatment at the civil hospital have been facing problems moving to and from the NEIGRIHMS after a referral.
Sources said the Health Department has been finding it difficult to rope in qualified people from outside the state. They also said people from beyond Meghalaya do not stick around, leaving as soon as they get better offers in their home states.
Adding to the problem is the lack of qualified people from within the state.