Shillong, Feb 4, 2026: The State Cancer Society of Meghalaya on Tuesday organised the 2nd Meghalaya Cancer Conclave 2026 at Vivanta, Shillong, with participation from doctors across the state and senior officials of the Health & Family Welfare Department.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla attended the conclave as the chief guest, while Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed was present as the guest of honour. Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, Dr. Joram Beda, and other senior officials were also in attendance.
Addressing the conclave, Minister Shylla said that every individual affected by cancer has a unique story, and the event served as a reminder of the diverse challenges faced by patients and their families. He stressed that society must confront the growing burden of cancer without hesitation.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Minister said India records approximately 1.56 million new cancer cases annually, with Meghalaya remaining among the states with a high incidence of the disease. He pointed out that districts such as East Khasi Hills continue to be particularly affected.
Shylla attributed the high prevalence of cancer in the state to factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, while also emphasising that lack of awareness, social silence, and delayed screening further aggravate the situation. He said that although the government has initiated several measures over the past two years, including large-scale cancer screening programmes, public participation in screening has declined.
Urging citizens to prioritise preventive healthcare, the Minister appealed to people to undergo medical check-ups while healthy rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe. He reiterated that the state government is providing free cancer treatment to patients across Meghalaya.
In a video message, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the state’s cancer mission focuses on screening eligible populations and ensuring early detection. He added that nearly nine per cent of the state budget has been allocated to the healthcare sector. He informed that cancer services at Civil Hospitals in Shillong and Tura now include free chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and palliative care, with advanced medical equipment currently under installation.
Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar informed that East Khasi Hills district continues to record one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the state, with 227.9 cases per one lakh male population. He stressed the urgent need to intensify efforts to combat the growing burden of cancer, identifying late detection as a major contributing factor.
Kumar said that cancer treatment facilities are currently available only in Shillong, while district-level centres are yet to be established. He added that the issue has been widely discussed at various community and public platforms to raise awareness.
Highlighting government initiatives, Kumar said sustained efforts are being made to collect samples for early detection and to ensure timely treatment and care. He noted that the state government has launched a dedicated Mission to address cancer-related challenges and is working towards establishing cancer treatment centres in every district of the state.
On the occasion, the Health Minister launched several key initiatives aimed at strengthening cancer prevention and control, including 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.
The Minister also inaugurated a collaborative cancer control project between the Government of Meghalaya and the Grace Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad, focusing on West Khasi Hills district.
During the programme, Shylla felicitated the best-performing district under the NP-NCD programme and formally launched the Health Atlas of Meghalaya, prepared by the State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC).
