Shillong, Dec 14: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to set-up a dedicated Cancer hospital owing to the high number of cancer patients in the state. Its direction comes in response to the numbers presented by the state health department that claims that the state may have over 80,000 people suffering from cancer.

In its order after hearing a PIL on the matter, the Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh said, “In such a scenario, it is absolutely imperative that the cancer treatment in the state is augmented and a dedicated hospital for such purpose is set up.”

The Bench referred to the affidavit submitted by the Joint Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department and said it appears that the total number of patients suffering from cancer in the state may be above 80,000.

However, the cancer wing of the Shillong Civil Hospital is equipped to admit only a few persons and the out-patients’ facilities a few more.

Additionally, since cancer patients some from the neighbouring States also come to Shillong, there is a crying need for augmentation of the number of beds catering to cancer patients and even the out-patients’ department, it said.

The health department also informed that the cancer wing at the Shillong civil hospital has started to function and has 34 beds of which 22 for males and 12 for females.

It further added that some cancer patients are accommodated in other wards also, but several patients are forced to take admission in private wards.

The health department also refers to the habit of chewing tobacco amongst the locals here that leads to the high incidence of cancer.

The bench however said it is evident again from the affidavit filed by the state that there is one room No. 25 which is used as a cancer treatment centre and also doubles up as the out-patients’ department.

“It is necessary, in public interest, to have a specialized cancer treatment centre and the State should seek appropriate funds from the Union for such purpose after citing high incidence of the affliction due to the life-style of the residents of the State,” it asserted.

Meanwhile, the bench also directed the state government to file a further affidavit to indicate the measures adopted to tackle the large number of patients immediately even as the steps to augment facilities may be taken up at a later date.

The next hearing will be held on February 21.