Meghalaya/IBNS: Meghalaya, which has been nicknamed the "Cancer Capital," is about to undergo a significant change with the construction of the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.

With its state-of-the-art 252-bed facility offering all three branches of oncology, including Surgical, Medical, and Radiation Oncology, the upcoming Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, is poised to become the primary center for cancer treatment across the entire northeastern region of India.

In December of last year, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), an Indian multinational conglomerate company, finished constructing the seven-story Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), which is outfitted with cutting-edge equipment. 

However, due to the COVID pandemic and the ongoing global crisis, the delivery of certain equipment, particularly those transported by sea, was delayed, which caused some delays in the construction process.

At NEIGRIHMS, the Regional Cancer Centre is a comprehensive facility that encompasses all three branches of oncology, including Surgical, Medical, and Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Nalin Mehta, the Director of NEIGRIHMS, stated in an interview on Tuesday that the majority of the equipment has arrived, and the project was almost finished.

The NEIGRIHMS administration is currently ensuring that all aspects of the project are in place before a grand inauguration, which is anticipated to be conducted by the Prime Minister.

In an interview with EastMojo, NEIGRIHMS Director Dr. Nalin Mehta on Tuesday stated that the majority of the equipment has been delivered and the project is nearly finished.

"There was a little delay in handing over because of various constraints, starting from the delay in the project because of COVID and eventually getting some equipment, especially some that came by sea owing to the current global crisis."

"But now things are on track and we are hoping to have everything said and done by probably the end of May,” informed Dr Mehta.

In addition to the above, Dr. Mehta mentioned that the contractors had requested to repair some snack points, but they are now almost finished with the work and are anticipating the facility to be operational soon, followed by an official inauguration.

Moreover, Dr. Mehta stated that some cutting-edge equipment has already been delivered, and trials are currently being conducted, with some patients receiving treatment, particularly in the area of radiation oncology, which is also referred to as radiotherapy.

The RCC will be opened gradually, starting with a few beds and then expanding as additional staff are hired.

NEIGRIHMS has already recruited nursing staff and technicians, but further recruitment is ongoing with a year-long rolling advertisement. 

Dr. Mehta emphasized the importance of adhering to recruitment rules and maintaining quality. 

Due to a shortage of doctors, NEIGRIHMS has concluded one round of recruitment and is conducting a rolling recruitment process to fill the vacancies.