Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Sep 22 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir has around 51,000 cancer patients, while the government has established two State Cancer Institutes and expanded screening and treatment facilities across the Union Territory.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo as per news agency JKNS, said in the Legislative Assembly, while responding to a question regarding the establishment of a cancer hospital raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, who sought details about the number of cancer patients, available facilities and measures being taken to provide affordable treatment.
Saifullah referred to 2024 figures indicating around 71,000 cancer patients in J&K, including more than 50,000 in Kashmir, and sought details of the government’s plans to control the growing burden of the disease.
In her response, Minister Itoo said there are around 51,000 cancer patients in J&K and stressed that early detection is crucial, as many cases were earlier being detected only at advanced stages.
She said cancer screening is being taken closer to people through the Health Department, including at the community and doorstep level, to facilitate early detection and timely treatment.
The government has already established two State Cancer Institutes, one at SKIMS Soura and another at Government Medical College Jammu, with financial and technical support from the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
The institutes are aimed at providing comprehensive and specialised cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment and allied oncology services, catering to major cancer treatment requirements of the Union Territory.
The Health and Medical Education Department, in its written response, said cancer incidence has been witnessing an increasing trend globally, with a similar trend observed in Jammu and Kashmir. Gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers constitute a significant proportion of reported malignancies.
To strengthen the coordinated response to the cancer burden, the government has constituted an Apex Committee to provide guidance and formulate measures relating to cancer prevention, screening and treatment. The Director, SKIMS, has been designated as the Nodal Officer.
Itoo said the government is strengthening equipment, infrastructure, manpower and specialised treatment facilities at SKIMS as well as Government Medical Colleges, with treatment being planned according to the type and stage of cancer and the requirements of patients.
On financial assistance, the government said eligible cancer patients are provided cashless/free treatment, as applicable, under the Ayushman Bharat scheme at empanelled government and private health institutions, subject to prescribed eligibility criteria, treatment packages and guidelines.
The Minister said BPL and AAY beneficiaries are being provided cancer medicines free of cost, while eligible patients can also avail treatment and medicine-related benefits under Ayushman Bharat.
Poor and needy cancer patients requiring additional financial assistance are also supported under the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP), subject to eligibility, guidelines and availability of funds.
Itoo further said that cervical cancer vaccination has also been started in J&K, while the government is particularly concerned about breast cancer and other major cancers.
She said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also held meetings regarding cancer and treatment facilities, adding that the government would consider suggestions put forward by legislators for further strengthening cancer care in the UT.
The Minister also stressed that tackling cancer cannot be the responsibility of the government alone and called for wider participation in prevention, early detection and awareness efforts.
The government said the measures are aimed at improving timely access to appropriate cancer treatment and reducing the financial burden on eligible patients and their families. (JKNS)
