WAJAHAT SHABIR
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir currently has around 51,000 cancer patients, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday while outlining the government’s measures to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment across the Union Territory.
Itoo was responding to a question raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, who sought details about the number of cancer patients in J&K, availability of treatment facilities and measures being taken to make cancer treatment more accessible and affordable.
During the discussion, Saifullah referred to 2024 data showing around 71,000 cancer patients in J&K, including more than 50,000 in Kashmir, and sought details of the government’s strategy to address the disease burden. In her reply, however, Itoo stated that the current number of cancer patients in J&K is around 51,000.
According to the government, cancer incidence is showing an increasing trend globally as well as in J&K. Gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers constitute a significant proportion of reported malignancies in the UT.
The government has constituted an Apex Committee for cancer prevention, screening and treatment, with the Director, SKIMS, designated as its Nodal Officer, Itoo informed the House.
The minister said the government is placing greater emphasis on early detection, as many cancer cases were earlier detected only after reaching advanced stages. Screening is being taken closer to communities, including through community-level and doorstep screening, with suspected cases being referred for further diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
On specialised treatment infrastructure, Itoo said two State Cancer Institutes have been established in J&K—one at SKIMS Soura and the other at Government Medical College Jammu. The institutes have been established 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).
The government is also working to strengthen infrastructure, equipment, manpower and specialised oncology services at SKIMS and government medical colleges, with treatment being planned according to the type and stage of cancer and individual patient requirements.
On the financial burden of treatment, Itoo said BPL and AAY beneficiaries are being provided cancer medicines free of cost. Eligible patients can also avail themselves of cashless or free treatment under Ayushman Bharat at empanelled healthcare institutions, subject to applicable eligibility criteria and guidelines. Poor and needy cancer patients requiring additional assistance can also receive support under the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP).
The minister further informed the House that cervical cancer vaccination has been started in J&K, while the government is also focusing on breast cancer and other major cancers through awareness, prevention and screening programmes.
Itoo said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also held meetings concerning cancer and treatment facilities in J&K and that suggestions made by legislators for strengthening cancer-care services would be considered.
She also stressed that tackling cancer cannot be the responsibility of the government alone and called for wider public participation in awareness, prevention, screening and early detection initiatives
