Focus on strengthening existing infra, early detection, promoting HPV vaccine
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Mar 25: In a landmark move aimed at revolutionizing the cancer care and screening landscape across Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory Government has sanctioned the constitution of several high-powered expert committees and a specialized task force.
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These bodies have been mandated to formulate a comprehensive, multi-dimensional action plan to strengthen curative, palliative, and preventive oncology services across the Union Territory.
As per a Government order, one of the panels-the Apex Committee for Curative Services- will be headed by Dr Sandeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, with the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, J&K, serving as Convener.
The committee comprises Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal, Government Medical College Jammu; Dr Ashish Gulia, Director, TMC Chandigarh; and Dr Yashpal Sharma, Executive Director, SMVDIME, as Members.
The order said the Apex Committee for Curative Services has been tasked with preparing a roadmap to strengthen curative services by developing a framework for organized cancer hospitals within existing Government Medical Colleges, while reinforcing radiation, medical, surgical and diagnostic oncology services.
The committee will also recommend technical collaborations with national institutions, standardized treatment pathways, multidisciplinary tumor boards and referral mechanisms.
Besides, the committee will explore public-private partnerships and expansion of tele-medicine and tele-oncology through improved digital infrastructure and specialized training of medical personnel.
To address end-of-life care, a Committee on Palliative Care has also been constituted under the chairmanship of Dr Ashish Gulia, with Dr Ashutosh Gupta as Member and Dr Rohit Lohori, Consultant Anesthesiologist, Gandhi Nagar Hospital, as Convener.
As per the order, this panel will assess the current status of palliative services and recommend establishment of dedicated units in tertiary and secondary healthcare institutions.
It will also study the “Kerala model” to develop community- and home-based care systems, improve pain management, ensure access to essential medicines and design training programmes for healthcare providers and caregivers.
For preventive oncology, another panel-the Committee on Strengthening Preventive Oncology for Behaviour Change and Communication-headed by Dr Ashish Gulia has been formed to focus on behavior change and communication strategies.
It includes Mission Director, National Health Mission Directors Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, Director Family Welfare and Immunization, and Dr Syed Nisar Ahmad, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, SKIMS Soura as Members and Dr Mohammad Salim Khan, Head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, GMC Srinagar, as Convener.
As per the Government order, this panel will suggest measures for risk reduction, including tobacco control and lifestyle changes, while promoting awareness, early detection and mobilization for screening and acceptance of HPV vaccination through IEC campaigns and public health programmes.
Meanwhile, a Task Force for Cancer Screening has also been constituted under the chairmanship of the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, with the Mission Director, NHM, as Member Secretary.
It includes the Heads of the Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Government Medical Colleges Srinagar and Jammu besides Directors Health Services of Kashmir and Jammu as Members.
As per the order, this panel has been mandated to oversee population-based screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers, develop standardized protocols, and strengthen referral and follow-up mechanisms across all levels of healthcare.
The Task Force will also focus on capacity building of frontline workers, community mobilization and development of digital systems for data management and monitoring.
To ensure effective implementation, the Task Force will meet every two months, while all committees have been directed to submit their recommendations to the Health and Medical Education Department within four weeks.
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