Jammu: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat has said that three new cancer institute’s would be set up in the State which would help to provide timely diagnosis and treatment facilities to the patients.
The Minister was speaking at World Cancer Day function observed at Government Medical College Jammu. The Health Minister said that these institutes would be set up at Kupwara, Udhampur and Kishtwar. He expressed hope that setting up of these institutes would help to detect cancer at an early state.
Bhagat said that cancer is curable disease and it needs proper awareness among the people. He directed the heath officials to organize district and block level camps to aware people about the disease and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.
The Minister said that aim should be to save thousands of lives each year by raising awareness and education about cancer and target misinformation about cancer prevalent in the society and reduce stigma attached to the disease by enlisting support for those affected by it.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of cancer patients in the state, the minister said that around 5000 new cases of cancer were detected last year which is cause of concern.
However, he said that State Government is making all its efforts to provide best possible treatment to these patients at their doorstep and pet scan machine have been installed at SKIMS Srinagar and adding that same machine would be installed in Jammu soon.
The Minister also visited oncology wards and interacted with the patients admitted there and gave special gifts to the patients.
Number of renowned doctors and dignitaries were present at the occasion.
On Monday, Greater Kashmir, a local English daily reported that there has been an alarming raise of 87 percent in the state. According to official figures, cancer cases in 2017 were recorded as 5731 which is 87 percent higher than the cases recorded 7 years ago in 2011 when 3057 such cases were witnessed.
(KNS)
