2 to 3 percent increase in cancer cases in J&K every year: Health Minister

The government on Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir reports 2 to 3 percent increase in cancer cases every year.

Replying to a question of MLA Tanveer Sadiq, Health Minister Sakina Itoo, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed that 50551 cancer cases were reported in Kashmir from 2018-2024 while in the same period the number of cancer cases in Jammu are 13,912.

"The annually increase in new cases is 2% to 3% in the last 3 years. Presently the cancer patients in J&K are given specialised treatment at SKIMS Srinagar and GMC, Jammu with availability of several facilities," she said.

She added that the cancer patients in Kashmir are given the facility of radiation oncology, critical care ICU, Neuro ICU, CVTS ICU Pulmonary ICU and Pediatric ICU at SKIMS besides that Government Medical College, Jammu is presently providing OPD Services, Chemotherapy PET CT Scan. Brachytherapy, Radiology Tests Digital Radiography and Colposcopy to cancer patients.

"The State Cancer Institute is functional at SKIMS Soura. It houses Day Care facility for Medical Oncology patients, Clinical Hematology and Radiation Oncology medical oncology and Radiation Oncology for in-patient's. 3rd floor of State Cancer Institute, SKIMS is ready for shifting of bone marrow Transplant facility. The recruitment of manpower for bone marrow transplant is under progress in the department." she said.

The minister said dedicated operation theatre for cancer patients is being operationalised at SKIMS Soura, which would be ready very soon. "The radiation Oncology at SKIMS is ready for shifting of bone marrow Transplant facility, but is awaiting recruitment of manpower for which case has been forwarded to concerned agencies."

She added that the work of three operation theatres and 10-bedded ICU in State Cancer Institute, Jammu is near completion and is likely to be completed by end of March 2025.

"Efforts are already on to decentralise cancer care which has been already accomplished to a great extent by way of having Chemotherapy at District Day Centers.

The Government has already taken an initiative of decentralising cancer by establishing cancer care in all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir." she added—(KNO)