With the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board planning to divert a portion of Eidgah Ground in Srinagar for setting up a Cancer Hospital, many believe that the institute can become a game changer for the poor, terminally-ill patients of Kashmir.
Earlier this month, Chairman Waqf Board, Dr Darkshan Andrabi, said that a Cancer Hospital will be established at Eidgah Srinagar at a whopping Rs 200 Cr. The Eidgah locality has has been either associated with "chalo calls" or stone pelting incidents over the years.
Andrabi said that 70 kanals out of 600 kanals of Waqf land of Eidgah ground would be diverted for the construction of the Cancer Hospital.
Following the announcement, people are hoping that the construction will begin at the earliest so that the cancer patients, who have to go outside Jammu and Kashmir for treatment, get treated in the valley itself at lower cost.
Why is having a Cancer hospital important for the valley?
From 2019 to 2021, Jammu and Kashmir reported more than 40,000 cancer cases. The numbers are increasing every month. On the other hand, more than 20,000 people died during 2018-2021. The figures suggest that having a hospital meant to treat cancer patients only can put off the burden on other hospitals in the valley and, more importantly, save precious lives.
Where are cancer patients treated in the valley?
In Kashmir, there is a State Cancer Centre at SKIMS. Other than that, the hospitals that have been treating various cancers are SMHS Hospital, Super Specialty Hospital, LD Hospital and Bone and Joint Surgery Hospital Barzulla.
SMHS Hospital has Radiation Oncology Department, while Super Speciality Hospital Shireen Bagh has a Medical Oncology Unit.
What is the opinion of people?
Brighter Kashmir spoke with people from all sections of life who, in one voice, supported the decision of the Waqf Board.
"Why would anyone hesitate and go against the administrations that is working for the welfare of people," said Ghulam Ahmad, a resident of Eidgah, Srinagar. He said that establishing a cancer hospital is for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“If there is land, why cannot it be used for better causes?” he said.
"I firmly believe that having a cancer hospital can save lives, money and time of every individual who has been suffering from one cancer or another," said Danish Manzoor, a student.
"One of my relatives had cancer few years back. We know how much it cost us to treat him. We had to travel different places for treatment. Things could have been different ion we had such a hospital here,” he said.
Waqf Board, Jammu and Kashmir has the full support of Kashmir, claims Bashir Bhat, a resident of Safa Kadal. He said that for years, Eidgah has seen violence and if Waqf Board is planning to establish a cancer hospital, it is in favour of Kashmiris.
“There will be treatment for cancer patients. It would cost less. People won't have to travel to other places. What else do the people of the valley want?”