Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: High Court today sought information regarding cancer treatment and infrastructure availability in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science Soura here.
The information has been sought in a PIL filed by one Rabia Khurshid and the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice MK Hanjura directed the counsel appearing on behalf of Chief Secretary and Director SKIMS to file a status report indicating therein as to what is the cost of construction on new block for treatment of cancer patients, what is the time frame fixed for completion of construction, how much amount has been earmarked for the same, how many operation theaters are in the institute specially for surgery of cancer patients, how many therapy centers are in place and number of general wards, payment wards and VIPs wards in the Institute.
Advocate Syed Musaib during the proceedings of the matter submitted that over the years there has been drastic increase in the number of malignancies cases in the state and to cater to the needs of growing population with growing cancer cases, “State Cancer Institute” an exclusive center for cancer patients was proposed by the State Government with the assistance of Central Government.
Presently there is long list of cancer patient waiting for their turn to be operated, unfortunately there are only two days assigned for cancer surgeries in the SKIMS as a result of which either patients die in the wait-list or the cancer has already done an irreparable damage to their bodies.
Petitioner who herself is a cancer patient and has undergone five cancer removal surgeries on various occasions said that the State has failed to provide any proper infrastructure or assistance as was due to a citizen in a welfare State.
“That after the commencement of the structural work of the State cancer institute certain deviations were noticed by the stakeholders in this regard a detailed meeting was conducted by all the HoDs of Oncological services in the office of Nodal Officer, State Cancer Institute, wherein certain structural flaws were pointed out in the building of State Cancer Institute and same was forwarded to the relevant authorities but till date the structural flaws have not been rectified, further jeopardizing the chances of health improvement of cancer patient”, reads the PIL.
Petitioner submits that due to shortage of operation theatres assigned to the Department of Surgical Oncology, who are able to perform only surgeries twice a week, which has lead to rise in the waiting list of the cancer patients, most of whom die in the waiting list for want of timely intervention.
Petitioner prays that the authorities be directed to comply with the Guidelines for Strengthening of Tertiary Care of Cancer as provided by Government of India in letter and spirit.
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