Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Oct 11: Amid an alarming rise in cancer cases across Kashmir, the valley continues to rely on just one PET-CT scan machine — located at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura — for staging, diagnosis, and monitoring of the disease.
The absence of this vital diagnostic facility at other major hospitals, including the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, has led to long waiting periods, delayed diagnoses, and increased suffering for patients battling cancer.
According to official data, GMC Srinagar alone has registered around 8,000 new cancer cases since 2017, yet it lacks a PET-CT machine – an essential tool for detecting cancer, evaluating treatment response, and identifying recurrence.
Oncologists said that PET-CT technology has become indispensable in modern oncology but remains severely limited in Kashmir.
“The entire valley depends on a single PET-CT machine at SKIMS, which caters to thousands of patients,” said Dr Manzoor, an oncologist. “This leads to long waiting lists, something that cancer patients simply can’t afford. We urgently need more such facilities.”
Another oncologist, Dr Aijaz, said PET-CT scans play a major role in the initial diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis, and follow-up of cancer patients. “It’s a breakthrough technology that combines functional and anatomical imaging. Having more of these machines would significantly improve outcomes for patients,” he added.
Data from the Union Health Ministry reveals that 51,577 new cancer cases were reported in Jammu & Kashmir between 2019 and 2022. In the same period, 35,623 people lost their lives to the disease.
Since 2013, SKIMS Soura has recorded around 50,000 new cancer cases, while GMC Srinagar has registered around 8,000 since 2017.
Experts attribute the growing cancer burden to multiple factors, including dietary habits, lifestyle changes, genetic predispositions, and delayed diagnoses caused by limited diagnostic infrastructure.
A 2012 SKIMS study identified “dietary practices and high salt consumption” as key contributors to the rising incidence of cancers, especially stomach and oesophagal types, in Kashmir.
The shortage of PET-CT machines has forced many patients to seek diagnostics outside Kashmir, often at enormous financial and emotional costs.
“I had to wait over a month for my PET scan at SKIMS,” said Ghulam Nabi, a cancer patient from Pulwama. “Such delays can be devastating for patients like us. The news about a PET scan being installed at GMC Srinagar brings real hope.”
Officials said the process for installing a PET-CT machine at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, has been initiated. “We have taken up the installation and expect the facility to be available soon,” an official said.
Health Minister Sakeena Itoo recently announced that Rs 124.83 crore has been allocated for major upgrades in J&K’s healthcare infrastructure. The plan includes a PET-CT at GMC Srinagar, MRI machines at GMC Baramulla, Kathua, and Rajouri, a Cath Lab at GMC Doda, and enhanced telemedicine facilities across 80 units.
A PET-CT facility has already become functional at GMC Jammu, providing much-needed relief to cancer patients in the region.
