Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has 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 Programme 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% 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, Govt. of India, and Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA 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 consists 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.