Shillong, May 23: Patients from Shillong and across the Northeast no longer need to travel far for advanced cancer treatment and liver transplantation, Apollo specialists said on Saturday while stressing that improved healthcare access and early diagnosis can significantly improve survival and save lives.
Doctors from Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, speaking to reporters here, said advanced medical care including robotic surgery, specialised cancer treatment and liver transplantation facilities is now increasingly accessible for patients from the region.
They also highlighted that medical consultants and specialists from Apollo hospitals across India are now regularly available in the Apollo Trinity Shillong on different days for consultations, allowing patients to seek expert medical guidance, diagnosis, treatment advice and specialist opinions without immediately travelling outside Meghalaya.
The specialists said such access can play a crucial role in ensuring early diagnosis, particularly for serious illnesses such as cancer and liver disease where timely intervention significantly improves treatment outcomes.
They further noted that improved air connectivity following the expansion of Shillong Airport has strengthened access to specialised healthcare, bringing advanced treatment facilities within a few hours’ reach for patients across the Northeast.
The doctors strongly emphasised recognising symptoms early, seeking timely medical consultation and avoiding delays in diagnosis, particularly in cancer and liver disease cases where early detection remains critical.
Dr Rajeev Sharan, Senior Consultant in Head and Neck Onco Surgery, warned that Head and Neck Cancer cases continue to rise rapidly across the Northeast, largely driven by tobacco, gutkha, smoking, supari and alcohol consumption.
He said many patients continue to seek treatment only after diseases reach advanced stages because early warning signs are often ignored.
“Non-healing mouth ulcers, persistent throat pain, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, unexplained neck swelling, and bleeding from the mouth should never be ignored,” Dr Sharan said.
The specialists stressed that tobacco consumption in all forms including smoking, chewing tobacco, gutkha and betel nut (supari) along with alcohol consumption remains one of the leading causes of Head and Neck Cancer.
Dr Sharan also flagged the increasing incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related throat cancers among younger individuals and stressed regular screening and awareness.
The specialists explained that robotic-assisted surgeries and minimally invasive procedures are transforming cancer treatment by offering greater precision, less pain, reduced blood loss, smaller scars, lower infection risks and significantly faster recovery compared to conventional surgeries.
Speaking on liver disease treatment, Dr Ramdip Ray said Apollo Kolkata has emerged as one of Eastern India’s leading liver transplantation centres, with success rates exceeding 90 per cent.
He said patients from Shillong and across the Northeast can now access highly specialised treatment much closer to home instead of travelling to distant metro cities.
The specialists also stressed the importance of organ donation and timely medical intervention, saying advanced treatment facilities can only achieve the best outcomes when diseases are diagnosed early.
Dr Ray further raised concerns over growing self-medication practices and antibiotic misuse in India.
While acknowledging that the internet has improved public awareness on health issues, he cautioned people against taking medicines without proper medical advice.
“The internet gives people information and awareness, which can sometimes help them identify symptoms early and consult a doctor in time,” Dr Ray said.
“But self-medication, especially misuse of antibiotics, is becoming extremely dangerous.”
Calling India the “antibiotic resistance capital of the world,” Dr Ray said incomplete or incorrect antibiotic use is allowing stronger drug-resistant bacteria to survive and spread.
“The weaker bacteria die, but the stronger resistant bacteria survive and spread to others. By repeatedly using antibiotics incorrectly, we are helping resistant bacteria become more dangerous. This is affecting the health of people across India,” he said.
The doctors stressed that greater awareness on advanced treatment availability, early diagnosis, responsible healthcare practices and timely medical consultation remains crucial in reducing cancer, liver disease and other preventable health complications across Shillong and the Northeast.
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