Aizawl: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of India to provide Japanese ODA loan amounting to JPY 9,918 million (approximately Rs 560 crore) for the development of a 164-bed Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre in Mizoram. The Super Specialty Cancer and Research Centre will also have state-of-the-art medical equipment for cancer diagnosis that will improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The objective of the project is to improve access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment as well as human resource development and research that support cancer control system, in line with the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) program in 2010, which aims to reduce the premature mortality from cancer to 25 per cent by 2025. The establishment of the Super Specialty Centre will ensure Universal Health Coverage by strengthening the cancer healthcare system in the state.
Mizoram records the second highest cancer incidence rate and the state government has identified the improvement of cancer control as one of the highest priorities in the state’s health sector. Mizoram aims to be a model state for cancer control in India with the establishment of this regional cancer control system.
The loan agreement for the project was signed between Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India on February 27.
Speaking on this occasion, Mitsunori said, “JICA is committed to improving the health and welfare of human resources in India, especially in Mizoram. Health care in North East Region has been one of the key areas of Japan India cooperation, discussed through the diplomatic dialogue of Act East Forum. We are proud of our partnership with the Government of Mizoram that seeks to address the growing lifestyle issues related to cancer. We hope that the new loan will also support the Government of Mizoram in further strengthening its healthcare infrastructure to help people of the state to lead a healthy life, which contributes to the development of the North East Region in India.”
The project is in line with the development policy and goals of the State of Mizoram, the development goals of the Government of India, and that of JICA’s policy for developing nations. Through this project, not only the construction of the infrastructure but also soft components to support the establishment of a cancer control system in Mizoram will be provided.
The soft components will consist of 1) Hospital management and medical safety, 2) Capacity strengthening of diagnosis and treatment, 3) Capacity strengthening of facility and equipment management and maintenance and 3) Capacity strengthening of cancer prevention and screening.
