Despite rising cancer case, South Kashmir's only GMC lacks functional radiation oncology setup

May 21, 2025 by News Desk

The Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag continues to operate without a functional radiation oncology setup, leaving hundreds of cancer patients in south Kashmir without access to critical treatment.

Despite being established in 2019, the Department of Radiation Oncology remains severely under-equipped, with no radiotherapy machines, oxygen support, or proper infrastructure in place.

Currently functioning out of a makeshift 10-bed ward on the second floor of a hospital block, the department lacks air conditioning and even a working elevator—posing major challenges for patients who often require intensive and continuous treatment.

As a result, those needing radiotherapy are forced to travel daily to Srinagar’s tertiary care hospitals, a physically and financially draining journey that many ultimately abandon.

In 2024 alone, the department has registered around 530 new cancer cases, with stomach cancer being the most common diagnosis among both men and women. Locals have expressed concern to south Kashmir’s high cancer prevalence and warn that the lack of local treatment facilities is contributing to delays and dropouts in care.

The hospital’s wider performance indicators also reflect these systemic issues. According to the latest ranking released by the National Health Mission (NHM) J&K for April 2024, GMC Anantnag was placed among the lowest-performing institutions in the category of new government medical colleges.

The assessment, based on the JK e-Sahaj Hospital Management Information System also highlighted shortcomings in areas such as electronic record keeping, patient registration, and service delivery.

While a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been finalized and land identified for a dedicated oncology block, no funds have been released under the CAPEX budget to initiate construction. Further complications have arisen with the government’s plan to build a maternity hospital near the proposed site, which could interfere with regulatory approvals for radiation-based treatment.

GMC Anantnag’s principal, Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, said improving oncology services remains a top priority. “We are committed to expanding our infrastructure and making treatment accessible to patients across South Kashmir,” she said.