Shillong, Feb 4: The State Cancer Society of Meghalaya on 4th February, 2026 organized the 2nd Meghalaya Cancer Conclave at Vivanta, 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.
Addressing the conclave, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Wailadmiki Shylla 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.
The Minister attributed the high prevalence of cancer in the state to factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, while also emphasizing that lack of awareness, silence, and failure to undergo timely screening tests further worsen the situation.
He said the state government has taken the issue seriously and, over the past two years, has initiated several measures including widespread cancer screening, but public participation in screening programs has declined.
Shylla urged citizens to seek medical check-ups while they are healthy instead of waiting until symptoms become severe. He also reiterated that the government is providing free cancer treatment to patients across the state.
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.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, Kumar said sustained efforts are being made to collect samples for early detection and to provide timely treatment and care to patients. He noted that the state government has launched a dedicated Mission to address cancer-related challenges and is working towards establishing cancer treatment centers in every district across the state.
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.
