Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted an Apex Committee to strengthen a coordinated response to the growing burden of cancer and formulate measures for prevention, screening and treatment, Minister for Medical and Health Education Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Mir Saifullah, the Minister said the Director, SKIMS, has been designated as the nodal officer for the committee.
She said J&K has established two State Cancer Institutes 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).
One institute is located at SKIMS, Soura, while the other has been established at Government Medical College, Jammu.
According to the Minister, the two institutes are intended to provide comprehensive and specialised cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment and allied oncology services, covering major cancer-treatment requirements across the Union Territory.
She said the existing facilities are being strengthened periodically through improvements in infrastructure, equipment, human resources and specialised treatment services, subject to approved norms and availability of resources.
Sakeena Itoo said the administration was committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality cancer-care services, particularly for economically vulnerable sections.
Eligible cancer patients can avail themselves of cashless or free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme at empanelled government and private health institutions, subject to prescribed eligibility criteria, treatment packages and scheme guidelines.
The benefits cover various approved diagnostic, therapeutic and hospitalisation-related services, she said.
In addition, poor and needy cancer patients can receive financial assistance under the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP), subject to eligibility criteria, applicable guidelines and availability of funds.
The Minister said the measures were aimed at facilitating timely access to appropriate cancer treatment while reducing the financial burden on eligible patients and their families.
The constitution of the Apex Committee, she said, is intended to bring greater coordination to the Union Territory’s efforts on cancer prevention, early detection, screening and treatment, while strengthening the existing institutional framework for specialised oncology care.
