SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration is preparing a comprehensive Cancer Care Strategy aimed at strengthening prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment services across the Union Territory.
The roadmap was reviewed on Monday at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. Senior officials from the Health and Medical Education Department, Director SKIMS, Mission Director National Health Mission, Director Tata Memorial Centre Chandigarh, principals of Government Medical Colleges, and other oncology experts attended the meeting.
The proposed strategy seeks to create an integrated and technology-enabled cancer care ecosystem covering prevention, early detection, screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, research, capacity building and digital health interventions.
Dulloo said cancer is emerging as a major public health challenge and called for a coordinated, evidence-based and patient-centric response. He directed the Health Department to implement the proposed interventions in a time-bound manner through institutional coordination, regular monitoring and measurable outcomes.
He emphasised the need to establish preventive oncology frameworks across Government Medical Colleges to promote early detection and timely intervention. He also stressed strengthening human resources and healthcare infrastructure so that quality diagnostic and treatment facilities are available closer to patients.
The Chief Secretary directed the department to undertake phased capacity building by training specialist manpower, including Radiation Safety Officer-certified personnel, while upgrading medical equipment and infrastructure in medical colleges.
Officials informed the meeting that a Steering Committee-cum-State Cancer Registry Coordination Unit has been constituted to establish a Population-Based Cancer Registry and Hospital-Based Cancer Registry network across Jammu and Kashmir. The registry system is expected to strengthen disease surveillance and support evidence-based planning under the National Cancer Registry Programme.
Mission Director NHM Akriti Sagar said that after cancer was notified as a reportable disease in the Union Territory, the government initiated the process of signing an MoU with the ICMR-National Institute of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Bengaluru, for technical support in establishing a modern cancer registry system.
The meeting also reviewed the existing oncology infrastructure, including the State Cancer Institute at Government Medical College Jammu, SKIMS Soura, Government Medical College Srinagar, AIIMS Vijaypur, newly established Government Medical Colleges and district-level Day Care Chemotherapy Centres.
To strengthen diagnostic capabilities, the strategy proposes setting up advanced Molecular Oncology Laboratories in Government Medical Colleges with facilities such as molecular pathology, immunohistochemistry, genomic profiling and next-generation sequencing. Proposals for selected laboratories have already been submitted to ICMR under the DiaMONDs Project.
The roadmap also recommends phased expansion of imaging facilities, including mammography units, PET-CT scanners, MRI facilities, gamma cameras and endoscopy services, to improve early diagnosis of various cancers.
Dulloo reviewed proposals for expanding radiotherapy infrastructure, strengthening surgical oncology services, establishing additional Bone Marrow Transplant and Stem Cell Transplant facilities, and creating multidisciplinary oncology teams in major tertiary healthcare institutions.
The strategy further envisages extensive Information, Education and Communication campaigns through print, electronic and digital media, schools, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Anganwadi Centres and community platforms to raise awareness about cancer risk factors, warning signs, screening services and healthy lifestyle practices.
According to officials, the Cancer Care Strategy aims to build an integrated continuum of care from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care and research, with the objective of reducing cancer burden and improving equitable access to quality oncology services across Jammu and Kashmir.
