GMC Jammu unveils cancer policy for J&K, aims to improve oncology care

Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, took a significant step in cancer management by unveiling the Cancer Policy for Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Advertisement

The policy was prepared by Oncologist Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu, according to a statement by the hospital.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr Farooq Abdullah, former chief minister of J&K, Sakina Masood Itoo, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr Sameer Kaul, a leading cancer specialist in India, Dr Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS, and Dr Pavan Malhotra, Director Principal, ASCOMS.

This was followed by a one-day national Continuing Medical Education (CME) event conducted by GMC, Jammu, where topmost oncologists from across the country participated. More than 500 delegates from the state and outside attended the national CME.

In his address, Farooq Abdullah said the disease demands not only medical, surgical and radiation therapy but social, psychological and economic aspects are also associated with it.

“Such patients need to be treated with empathy and sympathy and doctors need to make communication with patients and address their every minor enquiry, which is very important and can establish trust amongst the doctors and the patients as well as their attendants,” said Abdullah.

Health Minister Sakeena Ittoo praised the efforts of the current administration of the GMC Jammu for various efforts done in the interest of patient care. “The government is committed to achieving medical excellence at par with the premier institutions of the country,” she said.

GMC Principal Dr Ashutosh Gupta spoke on the key points of the cancer policy. The policy emphasises on the need to make effective cancer screening policies for preventable cancers such as head and neck cancers, breast, lung, cervical, prostate and colon.

It also advocates introduction of a cervical cancer vaccine in the universal immunization programme. The police also pushes for introduction of oncology facilities in all new medical colleges as per NMC guidelines, which includes chemotherapy services and surgical oncology. The policy calls for introducing palliative care services in all district hospitals and consider banning or restricting all tobacco products in the UT.

Also, tertiary care institutes like SKIMS, GMC Jammu, and GMC Srinagar must have all high-end oncology facilities like radiation oncology, surgical oncology, medical oncology, diagnostic facilities like PET scans, and high-end molecular oncology labs.

The various faculty, resident postgraduate, MBBS students, paramedical staff, allied staff members and teams of administration were also present at the event.