Will Mizoram's Rs 700-crore Super Speciality Cancer Centre Transform Healthcare?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rs 700-crore investment in cancer treatment.
- Construction location: Zemabawk, Aizawl.
- Funding from JICA to alleviate state healthcare burdens.
- Addressing Mizoram's highest cancer rates in India.
- Future meetings to ensure efficient contractor selection.
Aizawl, July 30 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, presided over a crucial meeting on Wednesday to assess the status of the ambitious Rs 700-crore super speciality cancer and research centre slated for construction at Zemabawk in Aizawl, as reported by officials.
A senior official from the health department disclosed that funding for this initiative will be provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Government of India's External Aided Project (EAP).
Mizoram currently has the highest cancer incidence rate in India, recording an alarming 189.7 new cases per 100,000 individuals annually, which stands in stark contrast to the national average of 98.5, the official emphasized.
He highlighted that the absence of advanced cancer care facilities in the state necessitates that numerous patients are referred outside Mizoram, including to Mumbai, for treatment, which places a significant financial strain on both the government and affected families.
According to the health official, the most prevalent types of cancer in India include breast, stomach, cervix, lung, and oesophagus. In Mizoram, the most frequently diagnosed cancers are oesophagus, lung, stomach, breast, and cervix, underscoring the critical need for a dedicated, comprehensive cancer care centre within the state.
The estimated budget for the Mizoram State Super Speciality Cancer and Research Centre is Rs 700 crore, of which Rs 560 crore is anticipated to be financed through a JICA loan. The Loan Agreement between the Government of India and JICA was executed in February 2023, featuring an interest rate of 1.5 percent and a repayment schedule commencing in 2033.
The meeting on Wednesday engaged discussions regarding the transparent and efficient selection of contractors and implementing agencies, with a follow-up meeting planned to finalize these crucial steps.
The gathering was attended by T.B.C. Lalvenchhunga, adviser to the Chief Minister, H. Lalengmawia, Commissioner and Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, along with other senior officials from the health sector.