2nd Meghalaya Cancer Conclave 2026 held
SHILLONG: The State Cancer Society of Meghalaya Wednesday organised the 2nd Meghalaya Cancer Conclave at Vivanta in Shillong with participation from doctors across the state and officials of the Health Department. The event was attended by Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla as the chief guest and Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammed as the guest of honour, Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, Dr Joram Beda and other senior officials were also present.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla in his speech said that every person affected by cancer has a unique story, and the conclave serves as a reminder of the varied challenges faced by patients. He stressed that society must not shy away from confronting the growing burden of cancer.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Minister said India records around 1.56 million new cancer cases annually, and Meghalaya remains among the states with a high incidence of the disease. He pointed out that districts such as East Khasi Hills are particularly affected.
In a video message, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said the mission focuses on screening eligible populations and detecting cancer at an early stage, adding that nearly nine percent of the state budget has been allocated to healthcare. Cancer services at Civil Hospitals in Shillong and Tura now offer free chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and palliative care, with advanced equipment under installation.
Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar informed that East Khasi Hills district continues to record one of the highest incidences of cancer in Meghalaya, with 227.9 cases detected per one lakh male population in the district alone.
Kumar stressed the urgent need for the state to intensify efforts to combat the growing burden of cancer. He identified late detection as a major contributing factor and emphasized that early diagnosis can significantly help in prevention and improve chances of recovery.
He informed that at present, cancer treatment facilities are available only in Shillong, while district-level treatment centers are yet to be established. He added that the issue has been widely discussed at various community and public platforms.
On the occasion, the Health Minister also launched several key initiatives aimed at strengthening cancer prevention and control in the state. These included the field implementation of the Meghalaya Mission for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, the Cancer Screening App and screening devices and a state-wide HPV testing initiative.
He further inaugurated a collaborative project between the Government of Meghalaya and the Grace Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad, Telangana, focused on cancer control in West Khasi Hills district.
During the programme, the Minister also felicitated the best-performing district under the NP-NCD programme in Meghalaya and formally launched the Health Atlas prepared by the State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC), Meghalaya.