Srinagar, Sep 22 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a top panel to strengthen a coordinated response to the growing burden of cancer in the Union Territory, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to a question by MLA Mir Saifullah, Itoo, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the committee has been tasked with guiding and formulating measures for cancer prevention, screening and treatment. The Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has been designated as the Nodal Officer, she added.
She said cancer incidence has been rising globally, with a similar trend being observed in Jammu and Kashmir. Gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers account for a significant proportion of reported cases in the region.
The Minister informed the House that, with financial and technical support from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), J&K has established two State Cancer Institutes, one at SKIMS, Soura, and the other at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.
"These institutes have been established with the objective of providing comprehensive and specialised cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment and allied oncology services," Itoo said, adding that the facilities are intended to cater to the Union Territory's major cancer-treatment requirements.
She said the cancer-care infrastructure is being strengthened periodically in terms of infrastructure, equipment, manpower and specialised treatment services, subject to approved norms and resource availability.
The Minister said the administration is committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality cancer-care services, particularly for economically vulnerable sections.
Eligible cancer patients are being provided cashless or free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme at empanelled government and private health institutions, subject to eligibility criteria and scheme guidelines. The benefits include diagnostic, therapeutic and hospitalisation-related services covered under approved packages.
Itoo also said poor and needy cancer patients requiring financial assistance are being supported under the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP) scheme, subject to eligibility criteria, applicable guidelines and availability of funds.
"These measures are aimed at facilitating timely access to appropriate cancer treatment and reducing the financial burden on eligible patients and their families," she said—(KNO)