J&K yet to receive funds for Cancer Institutes announced by UPA-II

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 5: Though elected representatives of both the regions of the State are engaged in tug-of-war over establishment of recently sanctioned All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), there is no focus on persuading the Union Government to expedite release of funds for two Cancer Institutes sanctioned by the United Progressive Alliance-II. The delay in release of funds is notwithstanding the sharp increase in cancer cases and related deaths in Jammu and Kashmir.
These Cancer Institutes-one each for twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar were sanctioned by the then Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad at the fag end of 2013. It was decided that an amount of Rs 120 crore would be given for construction of infrastructure and purchase of equipment while as State would have to only bear the recurring expenditure.
These institutes assume much importance for Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view the fact that this deadly disease has constantly been spreading its tentacles during the past several years due to lack of facilities for early detection and awareness among the people about the factors contributing in the same.
Accordingly, the State Government wasted no time in finalizing the sites for such institutes and it was decided that in Kashmir valley, the Cancer Institute would be established in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura while as in Jammu the Institute would come up within the premises of Super Specialty Hospital at Resham Ghar near Bakshi Nagar.
However, entire last year was lost in meeting the guidelines laid down by the Union Health Ministry for establishment of Cancer Institutes and preparation of plans for five-storey building, which will come up in the premises of Super Specialty Hospital, sources said, adding after completion of all the formalities the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was approached for its approval.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Mission of the AERB is to ensure that the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of the people and the environment.
“In the recent past the approval of the AERB was also obtained by the concerned authorities of the State and accordingly all the necessary documents were furnished to the concerned authorities of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare”, sources said, adding “thereafter nothing was heard from the Ministry and State is anxiously waiting for the release of funds for both the Cancer Institutes”.
Expressing inability to specify time-frame for release of funds, sources said, “the technical, planning and finance committees of the Union Health Ministry are yet to give the approval especially in the light of formalities having been completed and necessary approvals obtained by the State authorities”, adding “the approval from these committees is expected to take three-four months time”.
“Since the State has completed all the work, which was under its domain, the present Government must persuade the Union Health Ministry to expedite the exercise required to be carried out at its level so that funds are released expeditiously”, sources stressed. They, however, regretted that till date there is no required focus on this aspect and ongoing controversy over AIIMS issue has attracted the attention of everybody at the helm of affairs in the State.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Shantmanu confirmed that State has completed all the formalities but funds have yet not been released. “We will take up the matter with the Union Health Secretary”, he added.
“The expeditious release of funds is imperative as construction of infrastructure would take time and only then these institutes would provide benefits to the cancer affected population”, he further said in response to a question.
As per the data of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the cases of various types of cancer including prostate cancer and related deaths are on the rise in Jammu and Kashmir during the past some years. Even deaths due to cancer are also on rise during the past some years mainly because of lack of facilities for early detection of this disease.
In 2011, there were a total of 10688 cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir and this number increased to 11052 in 2012 and 11428 in 2013. During 2014, a total of 11815 cancer cases came to the fore in Jammu and Kashmir.
As far as mortality cancer cases are concerned, the number was 4703 in 2011 and the same increased to 4863 in 2012 and 5028 in 2013. During 2014, 5198 mortality cases were reported in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the data, the number of prostate cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir during 2011 was 344 and the same increased to 366 in 2012 and 390 in 2013. During 2014, 415 prostate cancer cases were reported.

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