Srinagar, Feb 13 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that around 10,000 cancer cases were registered across SKIMS Soura, GMC Jammu, and GMC Srinagar in 2025, with SKIMS Soura recording over 16,000 cases in the last three years.
Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly from MLA Ahsan Pardesi, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakeena Itoo said that around 16,000 cancer cases have been registered at SKIMS Soura alone in the last three years.
The minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the State Cancer Institute at GMC Jammu is being made operational in a phased manner since February 4, 2023.
She said the 100-bedded State Cancer Institute (SCT) at SKIMS Soura was established with central funding under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS), with a sanctioned grant of Rs 120 crore exclusively for infrastructure. Although the institute was commissioned on December 5, 2020, infrastructure development is still ongoing, Itoo added.
The minister said that at present, approximately 80 per cent of the institute is functional through manpower deployed from the main hospital. "However, the proposal for the creation of dedicated manpower, including doctors, nursing staff, paramedical, technical and other support personnel, on the analogy of the State Cancer Institute, Jammu is under active consideration by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Giving details about the cases, the Health Minister said that 5,108 cases were registered at SKIMS Soura in 2023, 5,387 in 2024 (an increase of 5.4%), and 5,791 in 2025 (an increase of 7.5%).
She said 1,767 cases were registered in 2023 at GMC Jammu, followed by 2,206 in 2024, and 2,569 in 2025. At GMC Srinagar, 1,159 cases were registered in 2022, 1,640 in 2023, 1,659 in 2024, and 1,558 in 2025.
While the data presented indicates a slight increase in reported cancer cases, it is important to note that this cannot be conclusively interpreted as an actual rise in cancer incidence without further detailed epidemiological research, the minister said, adding, "The observed increase is likely influenced by significantly improved diagnostic capabilities and enhanced detection rates across healthcare institutions."
Sakeena Itoo said that to address the growing patient load and reduce waiting times, the government is actively augmenting diagnostic services. This, she said, is evidenced by the substantial increase in PET scans conducted at SKIMS, from 1,410 in 2024 to 2,250 in 2025.
She said SKIMS, as the premier tertiary care centre in Jammu & Kashmir, continues to manage a large volume of referral cases for advanced cancer diagnosis and surgery from peripheral institutions.
Regarding diagnostic services at other facilities, routine biochemistry and pathology tests at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu are conducted without delay, Itoo said, adding that the existing PET scan services typically deliver reports within 3–4 days.
"For investigations not currently available, a standard referral protocol to associated hospitals is followed, with ongoing efforts to strengthen these facilities in a phased manner. Similarly, GMC Srinagar is actively providing comprehensive cancer treatments, including therapies and surgeries, and conducts essential tests such as MRI, CT, and USG,” she said.
To further enhance cancer care, a significant development is the recent administrative approval by the Health and Medical Education Department for the procurement of a new PET scan machine for GMC Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore, through JKMSCL, the minister said.
"This strategic investment will substantially boost diagnostic and treatment services available at the institution,” she added—(KNO)