SRINAGAR: A high-level consultation on cancer burden, research and care in Jammu and Kashmir was convened at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, bringing together senior officers from NITI Aayog, Department of Health Research (DHR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the leading clinicians, researchers and public health experts from premier national institutions.
The meeting was attended by Member (Health) NITI Aayog, Dr. V K Paul, Chief Secretary J&K, Atal Dulloo, Secretary DHR & Director General ICMR Dr. Rajiv Behl and Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Government of J&K, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah and other senior officers and experts.
The consultation focused on evolving a comprehensive, evidence-based and implementable cancer control strategy for Jammu and Kashmir, taking into account regional disease patterns, existing health system capacity and long-term sustainability. Deliberations emphasised the urgent need to strengthen cancer screening and early detection mechanisms, particularly through the identification of priority cancer types suitable for population-based screening.
Addressing the consultation, the Chief Secretary said that the J&K government will adopt a phased, evidence-based and implementable cancer control framework, anchored in research and aligned with national priorities to effectively address the growing cancer burden in J&K.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for a context-specific cancer control strategy for Jammu and Kashmir, taking into account regional disease patterns, health system capacity and long-term sustainability. He underlined that early detection, timely referral and equitable access to quality cancer care must form the backbone of future interventions.
Secretary Health J&K, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, presented recent initiatives, including expanding tertiary healthcare services and increasing medical seats. He emphasised the need for context-specific, evidence-based cancer prevention guidelines and strengthened information, education, and communication mechanisms
On the occasion, deliberations also highlighted the importance of district-level implementation models supported by structured implementation research to assess coverage, feasibility, cost-effectiveness and health outcomes.
A strong consensus emerged on positioning implementation research as a core pillar of cancer prevention, screening and care. It was proposed that a Centre for Implementation Research in Oncology be established to generate scalable, real-world solutions, with particular emphasis on improving quality of life, integrating palliative care and strengthening health systems. The role of community medicine departments in advancing preventive oncology initiatives was also underscored.
The meeting highlighted the need for context-specific, evidence-based cancer prevention guidelines aligned with national frameworks of the Department of Health Research, along with strengthened information, education and communication (IEC) mechanisms. Preventive strategies were advised to focus on tobacco control, HPV-related cancer prevention, dietary and lifestyle risk factors, and infection-associated cancers, including Helicobacter pylori-linked gastrointestinal malignancies.
The participants stressed the need for prioritising large, high-impact research initiatives over fragmented small-scale studies, with a strong focus on translational relevance. The creation of longitudinal cohorts, biobanks and randomised controlled trials was recommended to generate robust evidence on causative factors, screening effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Establishment of a comprehensive, state-wide cancer registry was identified as a critical requirement for evidence-based planning, monitoring and policy formulation in Jammu & Kashmir.
Strengthening cancer care infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir was identified as a key priority. Recommendations included the development of advanced diagnostic facilities in all medical colleges, encompassing molecular diagnostics and immunohistochemistry, along with clearly defined referral pathways and patient navigation mechanisms through designated Centres of Excellence.
The consultation concluded with agreement on adopting a phased, research-linked and implementable cancer control framework for Jammu & Kashmir, supported through institutional partnerships and technical collaboration with ICMR and leading national cancer institutions.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to guide the future policy actions, research collaborations and health system strengthening initiatives aimed at reducing the cancer burden and improving patient outcomes in J&K.
