Minister for Health & Medical Education Bali Bhagat today informed that a high-end Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan machine worth Rs 23 crore has been made operational in SKIMS, Soura on January 7 this year for the convenience of cancer patients.
He said the PET-Scan is a machine that is used to detect cancerous tissues and cells in body.
The Minister while replying to a question of legislator Saif-ud-Din Bhat and supplementary question by legislators Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Vibod Gupta informed that the Union Government has sanctioned Rs 120 crore for establishment of two State Level Cancer Institute’s one each in Jammu and Srinagar.
He informed that it has also sanctioned Rs 45 crore for establishment of 3 district level cancer centres at Kishtwar, Udhampur and Kupwara districts, an official handout said.
The minister informed that the Union Government has launched several schemes to extend financial assistance for treatment of cancer patients, adding that there is need to sensitize the masses about these schemes.
Replying to main question, Bali Bhagat informed the House that around 5731 patients suffering from cancer have been registered during 2017 in the state. He informed that tobacco, poor personal hygiene, unsanitary living conditions, low immunity, consumption of adulterated food, fruits and vegetables laden with pesticides, environmental pollutions are the major risk factor for cancers besides breast and colon cancer are increasing due to change in lifestyle, late age at first child birth; obesity, fatty diet low in fibre, increased consumption of red meat and sedentary life style are the main causes contributing in this life consuming disease.
“Change in dietary habits and life style are the main reasons of increasing in diabetes mellitus type-2”, he informed.
While replying to club question of legislators Ramesh Arora, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Ajatshatru Singh, the Minister informed that 888 cases were registered while 1213 persons were arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Ordinance/Excise Act in the State during 2017.