JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government is formulating a comprehensive cancer control strategy for Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with NITI Aayog, Indian Council of Medical Research and the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Punjab, officials said.
They said the initiative aims to establish a structured framework for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and research across the Union Territory.
According to officials, the strategy will focus on optimal utilisation of existing healthcare infrastructure, strengthening tertiary care services and building human resource capacity in collaboration with reputed national institutions.
A key component of the plan is the rollout of a population-based cancer registry to support evidence-based planning, improved surveillance and better management of cancer cases in the UT.
A high-level meeting chaired by Health and Medical Education Secretary Abid Rasheed Shah was held to deliberate on the strategic roadmap for cancer prevention, screening and care. The meeting was attended by Dr Ashish Gulia from the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Punjab and senior doctors and experts involved in cancer management in J&K.
During the deliberations, Gulia stressed the need for a well-defined roadmap to address the growing cancer burden, including strengthening tertiary care facilities, bridging human resource gaps, promoting research and scaling up palliative care services.
The secretary directed that a detailed gap analysis be conducted across government medical colleges and district hospitals to prepare a time-bound action plan.
He also emphasised focused training and enhanced research initiatives at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Government Medical College Jammu and Government Medical College Srinagar, in consultation with Tata Memorial Centre, for which a project monitoring unit has been tasked.
Highlighting the importance of public health in cancer prevention, Shah called for strengthening the Department of Preventive and Community Medicine to ensure effective screening and awareness programmes. He also stressed expanding the existing MoU between Tata Memorial Hospital and Government Medical College Jammu and exploring similar collaborations with other institutions.
Officials said the proposed strategy is expected to significantly strengthen cancer care delivery in Jammu and Kashmir through a coordinated, evidence-based and patient-centric approach. — (PTI)