Sanctioned in 2014, GMC-Jammu finally gets State Cancer Institute

Centre approves Rs 120 Cr worth 100-bedded Institute, releases Rs 43 Cr

SRINAGAR: In a significant development aimed at strengthening the tertiary level cancer care services in Jammu and Kashmir, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has finally approved Rs 120 crore State Cancer Institute at Government Medical College Jammu.

The all-important institute for Jammu was sanctioned by the then Congress led UPA Government at the Centre in 2014 along with another one at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura in Srinagar at the cost of Rs 120 Crore each but apparently abandoned soon after the new Government led by the BJP took over the reins.

These two SCIs were allocated to the State under the Union Government funded National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) was supposed to address the gross deficiencies for cancer treatment and diagnosis in Jammu & Kashmir.

For SCI at SKIMS, Soura first grant-in-aid of Rs. 47.25 crore has already been released whereas GMC Jammu was waiting for the funds since past five years.

“For SCI at GMC Jammu, the Government of India has sanctioned funds worth about Rs. 43 crore for the purpose. With the financial assistance, necessary execution of this vital project will be taken up shortly by the Department after fulfilling all necessary formalities required in this behalf,” a statement of the Health & Medical Education Department said.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the then Governments at the Centre and State, 90% of the fund share has to be provided by the Centre for this project and rest 10% cost was to be borne by the State.

It said a 100-bedded facility has been proposed for establishment under centre sponsored schemes with services such as, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, ICU, Palliative Care Services, Cancer Rehabilitation Services, Cancer Psychiatry Services, Comprehensive Cancer Diagnostic Services including Preventive Oncology, Dedicated MR Scan (MRI), Dedicated Mammography, PET Scan, Comprehensive laboratory services for cancer diagnosis including Cancer Cytogenetics, immune-histochemistry and all radiological facilities needed for oncology.

“Moreover, high-end equipment like Linear Accelerator, PET Scan, Brachytherapy, 4D CT Simulator along with upgradation of Pathology Lab, Cobalt Radiation Source, Conventional Simulator etc. would also be taken up under this scheme which would definitely give a boost to the services being offered to the cancer patients,” the statement said.

With the setting up of the facility at GMC Jammu, the patients now need not to move outside the State for specialized treatment facilities particularly the PET scan facility, it added.

It’s pertinent to mention here that, the prevalence of cancer disease is 75 per 1 lakh people in Jammu & Kashmir as compared to the national average of 100 per 01 lakh people, whereas the incidence of lung cancer is higher in the State followed by stomach cancer.