Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that around 10,000 cancer cases were registered across SKIMS Soura, GMC Jammu, and GMC Srinagar in 2025.
They said, SKIMS Soura alone has recorded over 16,000 cases in the last three years, showing the region’s focus on improving cancer care and diagnostic services.
Replying to a question from MLA Ahsan Pardesi, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that around 16,000 cancer cases have been registered at SKIMS Soura alone in the last three years.
“The State Cancer Institute at GMC Jammu is being made operational in a phased manner since February 4, 2023. The 100-bedded State Cancer Institute (SCT) at SKIMS Soura was established with central funding under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS), with a sanctioned grant of Rs. 120 crore exclusively for infrastructure. Although the institute was commissioned on December 5, 2020, infrastructure development is still ongoing,” she said.
“At present, approximately 80 percent of the institute is functional through manpower deployed from the main hospital. However, the proposal for the creation of dedicated manpower including doctors, nursing staff, paramedical, technical and other support personnel, on the analogy of the State Cancer Institute, Jammu is under active consideration by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
“While giving details about the cases, she said that 5,108 cases were registered at SKIMS Soura in 2023, 5,387 in 2024 (an increase of 5.4%), and 5,791 in 2025 (an increase of 7.5%).” She said that 1,767 cases were registered in 2023 at GMC Jammu, followed by 2,206 in 2024, and 2,569 in 2025.
She added that at GMC Srinagar, 1,159 cases were registered in 2022, 1,640 in 2023, 1,659 in 2024, and 1,558 in 2025.
“While the data presented indicates a slight increase in reported cancer cases, it is important to note that this cannot be conclusively interpreted as an actual rise in cancer incidence without further detailed epidemiological research. The observed increase is likely influenced by significantly improved diagnostic capabilities and enhanced detection rates across healthcare institutions,” she said.
The Minister said that to address the growing patient load and reduce waiting times, the government is actively augmenting diagnostic services. This is evidenced by the substantial increase in PET scans conducted at SKIMS, from 1,410 in 2024 to 2,250 in 2025. SKIMS, as the premier tertiary care centre in Jammu & Kashmir, continues to manage a large volume of referral cases for advanced cancer diagnosis and surgery from peripheral institutions.
“Regarding diagnostic services at other facilities, routine biochemistry and pathology tests at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu are conducted without delay. Existing PET scan services typically deliver reports within 3–4 days. For investigations not currently available, a standard referral protocol to associated hospitals is followed, with ongoing efforts to strengthen these facilities in a phased manner. Similarly, GMC Srinagar is actively providing comprehensive cancer treatments, including therapies and surgeries, and conducts essential tests such as MRI, CT, and USG,” she said.
“To further enhance cancer care, a significant development is the recent administrative approval by the Health and Medical Education Department for the procurement of a new PET scan machine for GMC Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs. 16 crore, through JKMSCL. This strategic investment will substantially boost diagnostic and treatment services available at the institution,” she added.—(KNO)
