The Government of Nagaland and the Tata Trusts on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a programme for providing comprehensive cancer care in the State.
An MoU was signed by Himato Zhimomi, Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Nagaland and Burzis Taraporevala, Senior Advisor to the Trusts.
According to a press statement issued by Tata Trusts, Nagaland Government and the Trusts will establish a joint entity, the Nagaland Cancer Care Foundation.
The programme will integrate with the existing plans of the State on aspects related to cancer screening, palliative care, and tobacco control.
The collaboration will build on the public healthcare system to make cancer care accessible and affordable.
It proposes a three-tiered model of treatment delivery. In addition to developing the Naga Hospital Authority in Kohima, the model envisages building capabilities in select district hospitals at Mon, Mokokchung, Phek, and Tuensang by equipping it to offer confirmatory diagnostics and follow-up treatment including palliative care, so that patients do not have to travel more than a few hours for accessing the full suite of cancer care services.
The model is centred on the use of technology and building capabilities of the existing workforce to facilitate operations in remote areas, and patient-centric design principles to provide a good in-hospital experience to patients and care-givers.
Latest medical equipment will be installed to ensure that prevalent evidence based treatment can be provided as per latest globally accepted treatment standards which will be ably supported by an extensive awareness, screening and early detection programme.