Jammu gets first exclusive super speciality cancer hospital in a partnership with ASCOMS

Jammu’s First Exclusive Cancer Super Specialty Hospital opens: AOI.

South Asia’s leading chain of cancer hospitals named “American Oncology Institute” (AOI), On Nov 23 extended its services to Jammu and Kashmir with the inauguration of its 11th cancer care centre. AOI along with Surgical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, based on the international treatment guidelines in cancer care. The Cancer Super Speciality hospital will enable the population of J&K and adjoining states get access to the best and most advanced cancer diagnostics and treatment at affordable cost.

Meanwhile, On The first exclusive super speciality cancer hospital, in partnership with Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital (ASCOMS) was inaugurated by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Sanjeev Verma.

Speaking on the association, Dr. Jagprag Singh Gujral, Group CEO- South Asia, American Oncology Institute remarked that, “Traditionally, cancer has been considered a terminal ailment with uncertain prognosis. However, over the last few years technology-driven improvements in diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved survival rates,”.

While D K Batra, Joint Secretary, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital (ASCOMS Hospital) remarked that, “The facility comes up at a time when cancer incidences in the state of Jammu & Kashmir are on the rise due to use of tobacco and tobacco products, ageing population, pollution, unhealthy life styles and lack of awareness about early detection”.

It will provide all the required treatment under one roof at affordable cost. The setting up of the facility is a major relief for cancer patients who had to go outside the Union Territory for specialised treatment.

Although, as per a report presented in J&K Assembly House in 2018, year-wise cases of cancer were 2011 (3057), 2012 (3288), 2013 (3157), 2014 (3940), 2015 (4275), 2016 (4976), 2017 (5731) and as per officials, in 2018 the figure was 7500.

More than 70% of these cases are reported in advanced stages, leading to poor survival rates. Thus, Lack of optimal facilities with technology and protocols to provide relevant care have added to the disease burden in this region. There is a 87% growth of cancer cases in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, The recent survey attributed.

Consequently, Atal Dulloo asserted that the government is also constructing a state-of-the-art cancer care facility at a cost of Rs 120 crore in Jammu which is expected to be completed within three years. Moreover, India has reported over 15 lakhs new cancer cases per year and this number is expected to be around 20 lakhs by 2020.

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