Jammu and Kashmir Strengthens Cancer Care As Patient Numbers Reach 51K

With nearly 51,000 cancer patients in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has intensified efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and specialised treatment across the Union Territory. 

Responding to a question raised by MLA Mir Saifullah in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo outlined measures being taken to improve access to affordable and comprehensive cancer care.

Itoo informed the House that two State Cancer



Institutes are currently functional in Jammu and Srinagar — one at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura and the other at Government Medical College, Jammu. 

Established with financial and technical support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), the institutes are being further strengthened through improved infrastructure, modern equipment, specialised oncology services and additional manpower, she said.