No enhancement in funds for patients even as J&K sees steady rise in Cancer

DEEPAK KHAJURIA

JAMMU: Even as it admitted that the number of cancer patients has been on a rise with as many as 26,201 patients treated in the State in last four years, the government has shrugged its shoulders on enhancing the funds for treatment of poor cancer patients under Corpus Fund Scheme launched way back by former Chief Minister Late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.
It is rather unusual that while it is accepting the increase in number of cancer patients in Jammu and Kashmir in past 4 years, the government is reluctant to enhance in same proportions the amount of Rs One Crore as Corpus Fund which was then released in favour of Principal Govt Medical College, Jammu for treatment of poor cancer patients and which has benefitted 468 patients till date.
The information in this regard by given by Health Minister Bali Bhagat while replying to a query of NC MLA, Ali Mohammad Sagar during the ongoing Budget Session.
When asked specifically, the Minister informed that there are no plans in this direction.
"Till date no such proposal is under consideration of the department," said the Health Minister when asked whether State Government intends to enhance the amount under Corpus Fund Scheme.
"However, with regard to GMC Srinagar, an amount of Rs one crore for the same has been projected under revised estimates under non-plan budget," he informed.
The statement was beating the logic as merely minutes before the Health Minister had agreed that the increasing number of registration of patients at Regional Cancer Centers in the State indicates that the cancer disease is alarmingly increasing by the day in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said that the PDP-BJP Government, which is doing a lot to fulfill the dream projects of Late Mufti Sayeed has not considered one of his important schemes for poor cancer patients.
The Government details suggested that each year cancer patients are increasing in the state, barring a slight dip of 41 in 2016.
In 2014, the figure was 6130, in 2015 it was 6668, while in 2016 it was 6627 and in 2017 the figure increased to 6776, a matter of grave concern.