Meghalaya has one of the highest cancer rates in India, particularly for mouth and oesophagus cancer, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh revealed. Citing data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), she said the state records 176 cancer cases per one lakh population, while East Khasi Hills alone reports 227 cases per lakh—more than double the national average of 100 per lakh.
“Meghalaya is unfortunately one of the highest detectors of mouth and oesophagus cancer, and we are taking administrative decisions to ensure that we are ready to face and combat this disease in its current situation,” Lyngdoh said.
The Minister further added, “The ICMR data discloses that we have as many as 176 cancer cases per one lakh population—that is big—whereas, in East Khasi Hills, we have recorded 227 cases per lakh, more than double the national average. The government is committed to ensuring that we combat this disease alongside addressing other health concerns.”
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, she said the government is ensuring early diagnosis and access to affordable treatment. “Today, Civil Hospital, on average, has a total of 8,382 outdoor cancer patients in 2024. Of this, around 1,649 are new cases, and in radiotherapy alone, 456 patients require treatment,” she said.
The radiotherapy unit is being expanded, and the bed capacity at Civil Hospital will soon increase from 50 to 200 beds. NEIGRIHMS also offers advanced cancer treatments, including specialized surgeries and diagnostic tools like PET scans.
“We have now upgraded the 50-bed capacity to 90 beds, and we are preparing proposals to increase it to 200 beds,” Lyngdoh said.
“We are aware of the technical issues regarding the availability of specialized manpower. We are addressing this by sending doctors for training so they can return to the state and bridge the gap in our healthcare system. We are also working closely with NEIGRIHMS, sharing information, and ensuring that patients from low-income groups have access to treatment at closer facilities,” Dr Lyngdoh said.
The Health Minister assured that no citizen would face financial hardship due to cancer treatment, as the MHIS scheme covers all types of cancers.
“The MHIS scheme is very inclusive, and people can check the live dashboard on the MHIS website for details,” she said, adding that the government is committed to strengthening cancer treatment infrastructure so that patients do not have to travel far for treatment.
To address the crisis, the state government has launched “Meg Can Care,” a mission-mode initiative aimed at providing comprehensive cancer care across Meghalaya. The program focuses on early detection at district and block levels, upgrading treatment facilities in government hospitals, financial support for cancer treatment expenses, and public awareness campaigns on tobacco control and cancer prevention.
“We are very happy that the Chief Minister is seized of this problem, and hence we have already announced a project like Meg Can Care,” Lyngdoh said adding, “This project is supported directly by the Meghalaya government. Our policy decisions are focused on curbing out-of-pocket expenses, and we are doing our best to ensure that financial assistance reaches those who need it to fight this dreaded disease.”