Meghalaya HC Issues Notice To UOI, State On PIL Alleging Non-Availability Of Modern Cancer Care Facilities In Meghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Union of India and State Government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed alleging inordinate delay on the part of the respondents in establishing comprehensive and modern cancer care facilities in the State of Meghalaya.

Noting that the PIL raises a 'serious' issue, the Bench of Chief Justice R. V. More and Justice H. S. Thangkhiew called upon the respondents to submit their responses and thereafter, listed the matter for further hearing on November 29.

The plea filed by party-in-person Lurshaphrang Shongwan contended that due to the non-availability of a comprehensive Cancer Hospital and failure of the respondents to strengthen and establish screening centres for early detection and treatment of cancer in the Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres, serious inconveniences and financial problems have been caused to the citizens of the State.

The petitioner also submitted that though the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India had sanctioned ₹ 26.16 crore for the establishment of a Cancer Treatment Centre at Civil Hospital, Shillong, however, due to lapses and negligence on the part of the concerned authorities, out of the amount of ₹ 19.84 crore received by the State respondents, only ₹ 9.77 crore of Utilization Certificates were furnished to the Government of India.

It is also the case of the petitioner that despite the rising numbers of cancer cases in the State of Meghalaya, State Cancer Institute, Tertiary Cancer Care Centre and Regional Cancer Care Centre are not made available and that as of today, has added more troubles and burden to the patients of the State.

The plea also seeks a direction to the State Respondents to establish an Oncology Department in the various District Hospitals of the state so as to ensure the easy access of treatment to the cancer patients of the state

Lastly, the petitioner also made a grievance about the implementation of the Megha Health Insurance Scheme in the State of Meghalaya.

In this regard, it was contended that though the said scheme provides for financial aid amounting to ₹ 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs) to all the citizens of the State, however, due to the non-availability of the Cancer Hospital and medicines in the State, the said scheme has remained on paper only.

Case title - Lurshaphrang Shongwan Vs. Union of India & 6 Ors.

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