Srinagar, May 19: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Tuesday held detailed consultations with leading healthcare institutions and medical experts regarding the formulation of a comprehensive cancer control strategy for Jammu and Kashmir aimed at strengthening awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment and preventive oncology across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Director, SKIMS; Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar/Jammu/SKIMS Medical College; Managing Director, National Health Mission; representatives from Indian Council of Medical Research and Tata Memorial Centre besides faculty members and experts from various medical colleges and healthcare institutions of the UT.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary outlined the broad framework of the strategy to ensure an effective and sustainable impact on the ground. He emphasized the need for extensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to generate awareness among the masses about cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
He stressed the importance of establishing a robust Cancer Registry for collection and analysis of disease-related data, besides undertaking population-based screening in accordance with the guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The Chief Secretary observed that early detection and timely management of cancer cases remain critical for reducing the burden of the disease and improving survival outcomes. He underscored the need for ensuring proper treatment of patients strictly in line with established medical protocols while simultaneously promoting preventive oncology measures to safeguard the population from this life-threatening disease.
Reviewing the progress made so far, the Chief Secretary directed the expert committees constituted earlier to come up with concrete action plans within the next one month after conducting a detailed analysis of the prevalence of cancer and the existing treatment facilities available across Jammu and Kashmir.
He also asked the committees to assess the requirement for capacity building and strengthening of manpower in the healthcare sector for effective implementation of the proposed strategy.
He instructed the Health and Medical Education Department to establish a dedicated core team of professionals drawn from different medical college faculties to ensure that the formulation and execution of the cancer control plan is taken forward in a coordinated and time-bound manner.
He also called for expediting the framing of comprehensive screening guidelines in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research so that early detection of the disease becomes a practical reality across the UT.
During the meeting, experts from various health institutions shared their inputs regarding the prevalence and incidence of cancer in Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the challenges faced by patients in obtaining timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly in far-flung districts. The participants also offered several suggestions aimed at strengthening cancer care infrastructure, improving accessibility of treatment facilities and bringing quality oncology services closer to patients’ homes across the Union Territory.