Srinagar, June 3 (KNS): In an alarming disclosure, the government Friday said that the number of cancer patients is rising in the state, with Srinagar topping the list of patients at 898 and Jammu seconding at 853 in last year.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat informed the Upper House that lung cancer is prominent in the state due to rising smoking.
The minister in a written reply to the question of PDP MLC Firdous Tak in the Upper House said that among men caner of lung, throat, gastro-internal and lymphoma are prominent, while in women cervical, breast, throat, gastro-internal and lung cancers figure most.
In year 2015, the minister said 6358 cancer patients were registered, while 5568 in 2014, 5068 in 2013, 4848 in 2012, and 4556 in 2011 cases were reported.
Bhagat said that Leh and Kargil districts have less number of patients (234 in the last five years) than other districts in the state.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The figures revealed by the minister show a worrying trend as the number of patients in every district is rising each year.
On how government is dealing with the deadly disease, the minister said that diagnostic facilities and consultation is provided on bare minimum fee and BPL patients are given concession in hospitals.
“BPL patients are given free investigation, essential drugs in the hospitals,” the minister said, adding that two new cancer institutes, one each at Srinagar and Jammu, have been sanctioned by GoI.
“Besides, three tertiary cancer care centers are also being sanctioned by GoI at Kupwara, Kishtwar, and Udhampur,” he said. (KNS)