The National Cancer Treatment Center in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township, Yangon Region, launched three cancer treatment machines with radiation technology valued at 32.5 billion kyats and one CT Simulator worth 2.55 billion kyats. The inauguration ceremony was held on the morning of January 21.

The newly established National Cancer Treatment Center can treat up to 200 patients daily using the radiation-based cancer treatment machines. The Halcyon machine, one of the newly installed devices, has been in operation since the third week of October 2024, according to the Ministry of Health.

The inauguration was attended by Dr. Thet Khaing Win, Union Minister for Health; U Soe Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon Region; senior hospital administrators; professors; department heads; and invited guests.

Due to the increasing number of cancer cases and limitations at the Yangon General Hospital's cancer treatment department—such as insufficient space, overcrowding, and fire hazards—the government planned the expansion of the National Cancer Treatment Center in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan). Union Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win emphasized this during the ceremony.

“As cancer cases rise, there is a growing need for radiation-based cancer treatments. Existing facilities and resources have become inadequate, leading to long waiting times for patients. Those who can afford it often seek treatment abroad. The Yangon General Hospital's cancer treatment department faced space shortages, overcrowding, and fire risks, prompting the expansion to the Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) center,” the minister stated.

Efforts are underway to complete the project by 2025. Once finalized, cancer patients will have access to surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, intensive care, laboratory tests, and diagnostic imaging—all under one roof.

The National Cancer Treatment Center is funded entirely by the state, with a budget allocation of 92.08 billion kyats for the hospital in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan), related facilities, and associated infrastructure projects. This includes 16.985 billion kyats for the main hospital building and its components, 4.931 billion kyats for staff housing, and 928.2 million kyats for a concrete storage tank for radioactive waste.

Additional enhancements include a concrete perimeter road, fencing, and drain covers worth 556.55 million kyats, bringing the total project budget to 32.609 billion kyats. An additional 14.281 billion kyats has been requested to cover remaining needs, making the overall budget 46.891 billion kyats. The Ministry of Construction, under Special Unit (1), is responsible for the project's implementation.

Additionally, the Ministry of Construction has completed staff accommodations, including one five-story building with four apartments for officers and two buildings for other staff. All funding is sourced from the state budget.

To facilitate convenient transportation for cancer patients, their families, and healthcare workers, three shuttle buses and one patient transport vehicle have been arranged between Yangon General Hospital and the National Cancer Treatment Center. Public buses YBS 89 and 133 are also operational on the route.