Cancer care in J&K follows TMC guidelines: Health Minister

Jammu, Apr 2: Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department Minister Sakeena Itoo on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that cancer treatment facilities across Jammu and Kashmir are functioning strictly in line with established national protocols, with no violations reported in the administration of chemotherapy or procurement of drugs.
Replying to a question raised by MLA R.S. Pathania, the minister stated that Cancer Institutes and Oncology Departments in the Union Territory are currently operating as Day Care Centres, primarily catering to patients requiring chemotherapy for solid tumours.
These services, she said, are being delivered in accordance with the mandatory guidelines issued by the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), and all standard treatment protocols are being meticulously adhered to.
“There is no violation of any mandatory TMC guidelines,” Itoo clarified, adding that chemotherapy services are also being provided as per the approved norms under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and SEHAT scheme.
Addressing concerns regarding the availability of certain advanced anti-cancer drugs, the minister said that it is “not a fact” that injections such as Ramucirumab, Perjeta, and Phesgo, along with immunotherapy drugs, are currently available at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) through JKMSCL or rate contracts. “Only those drugs included under the cancer care Health Benefit Packages of AB-PMJAY/SEHAT are procured centrally,” she said.
Sakeena Itoo further explained that all chemotherapy and supportive drugs are procured through the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) strictly in accordance with prescribed financial rules and procurement guidelines.
However, in situations where essential drugs are not readily available, hospitals are permitted to make local purchases to meet urgent clinical requirements. “Such procurements are carried out in the interest of patient care and are supported by proper technical justifications and approvals as per the laid-down norms,” she said.
The Health Minister added that during the past two years, any requests for relaxation or modification of existing Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) have been examined on merit. These requests, she said, were processed strictly as per procedure and in consultation with competent technical authorities. (KNO)