Press Releases

Addressing the conclave, Hon'ble Health & Family Welfare Minister, Shri. 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