Mobile cancer detection launched

SHILLONG | April 16 : A fully equipped mobile cancer detection unit aimed at early detection of cancer was launched in Meghalaya on Thursday. The mobile cancer detection unit jointly operated by the State government and MKC Roko Cancer Trust, a UK-registered charity operating in India and abroad was launched at a function held at Shillong Civil Hospital in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary incharge Health and Family Welfare Pynshngain Syiem, Health Commissioner and Secretary Donald Wahlang, MKC Trust chairman Ajinder Pal Singh Chawla and other dignitaries.
 On February 12, the State government and MKC Roko Cancer Trust entered into agreement under Public Private Partnership (PPP) for operation of the mobile cancer detection units in the State. With the number of patients suffering from cancer is alarming in the State, the trust provides mobile screening units to the State government in order to reach to the masses, administering early detection through mammography to suspected cases free of cost.
“The state government is also working out the details that free medical treatment could be covered for cancer patients under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme,” Health Commissioner and Secretary Donald P Wahlang said. Till today, 250 cancer patients mostly throat cancer was recorded at the Shillong Civil Hospital cancer unit alone, informed Dr Judita Syiemlieh an oncologist, in Shillong Civil Hospital and member secretary of State Cancer Society of Meghalaya.
The two state-of-the-art mobile cancer detection units worth Rs 2 crore were provided by MKC Roko Cancer Trust to the State government. The mobile cancer detection unit stationing at Shillong and Tura would travel to various places whenever free cancer awareness and detection camp is conducted to make people understand the need for early detection of three types of cancer – breast, cervical and oral.