Regional Cancer Centre up and running

SHILLONG, July 3: The 250-bed Regional Cancer Centre at NEIGRIHMS in Shillong has emerged as a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families in Meghalaya.
The facility, which has been operational for the past seven to eight months, has ensured quality and affordable treatment. Earlier, a majority of the cancer patients could not visit places outside the state due to high cost of treatment.
All radiation therapy (radiation oncology) equipment is fully functional at the Cancer Centre. This includes the linear accelerator (LINAC) with both high and low energy capabilities, equipped with advanced applications. Then, Brachytherapy (a type of internal radiation therapy) planning system and Computed Tomography (CT) simulation machines are fully operational and in use daily.
Cancer surgeries are also being performed on a regular basis from eight new modular OTs while day care chemotherapy is being given from the main hospital.
It was informed that 160-slice CT scan and advanced digital radiography machines have been already installed and a majority of medical and para-medical staff recruited.
LINAC and CT simulation started in November 2022 and so far, over 500 patients have been treated with radiotherapy.
On an average, 40 to 50 patients are treated on LINAC every day. More than 80 patients availed treatment with Brachytherapy which started in December last year.
Five to eight patients are treated every week with Brachytherapy.
Meghalaya has a 100-bed cancer wing at the Shillong Civil Hospital but it is always jam-packed.