Secretary Health reviews progress on Cancer Institute Jammu; Asks officers to work in double shifts for speedy completion

JAMMU, JANUARY 30: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, today reviewed progress on construction of State Cancer Institute Jammu besides discussing roadmap for establishing the state of art services for cancer patients.

Principal Government Medical College, Jammu, gave a detailed overview of functioning of SCI Jammu covering different aspects like manpower availability, status of civil works, machinery and equipments and regulatory requirements for complete operationalization.

Pertinently, the Institute is being established at an estimated cost of Rs 104 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS) to address the gross deficiencies for cancer treatment and diagnosis in J&K.

The Secretary was briefed that the SCI Jammu has started OPD services from 4th Feb. 2023 and IPD services from 6th November 2023, besides day care chemotherapy has also been started. Till date, about 7000 OPDs conducted, 4000 patients have been provided Cancer Chemotherapy/Treatments besides 1500 patients have been screened in 45 outreach screening camps. It was also informed that 2 DNB seats have been approved by National Board of Examination  in Medical Oncology for SCI Jammu.

Dr Abid directed the concerned officers to work in double shifts to ensure complete functionality of the State Cancer Institute in the shortest possible time.

Secretary Health had detailed assessment of status of civil, mechanical and electrical works, landscaping and Site Development, procurement of machinery and equipments, selection of human resource including faculty, nursing and para medical staff, sanitation and security services.

Dr Abid impressed upon the executing agencies to expedite completion of the civil works and handover the sites, particularly the basement and 3rd floor in next one month facilitating installation of vital machinery and equipments like LINAC, Modular OTs and CT Simulator..

The Secretary asked the Chief Engineer R&B Jammu to monitor this project on regular basis and ensure that the contractor mobilize adequate manpower and material at site to complete all the remaining works.

He was further informed that Brachytherapy System and PET scan shall be made functional within three months after completing the process of manpower engagement pivotal in complete operationalization of the services and regulatory approvals from AERB/other agencies.

The Secretary said that the objective of State Cancer Institute is to provide state of art cancer prevention and treatment in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with latest technology and scientific knowledge. This will facilitate the patients with proper diagnostics and treatment for cancer related ailments minimizing out of pocket expenses leveraging the government infrastructure and flagship schemes like AB PM-JAY SEHAT, he maintained. 

Director Finance H&ME, Managing Director JKMSCL, Chief Engineer PWD Jammu and other senior officers of H&ME department besides executing agencies attended the review meeting.