Srinagar, Aug 21 (KNO): The long-anticipated Brachytherapy services were officially inaugurated at the State Cancer Institute (SCI), Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu on Wednesday. The development marks a major advancement in cancer treatment capabilities for the region.
Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah played a pivotal role in making this high-end facility operational, an official informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said the first Brachytherapy procedure was conducted by the Radiation Oncology team, led by Prof. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu and a renowned cancer specialist.
The team from the Radiation Oncology department included Dr Rahul Sharma (Professor and Head of Radiation Oncology), Dr Sandeep Kaur (Associate Professor), Dr S.S Katoch (Assistant Professor), Mr Sahil Gupta (Senior Physicist), Miss Tinish Sehgal (Radiation Safety Officer), Mr P.A Rather (Junior Medical Physicist), Mr Sheldon Dominic (Application Specialist from Germany) and Mrs Survinder Kour Sudan, along with other supportive staff, the official said, adding that four patients were treated with Brachytherapy on the inaugural day.
Dr Deepak Kumar, Medical Superintendent of the State Cancer Institute, supervised the entire procedure.
Dr Abid on the occasion said the launch of this facility is a landmark achievement, not just for GMC Jammu, but for the entire Jammu region. "This facility will provide essential treatment and monitor cancer patients who previously had limited access to such advanced care," he said.
The new Brachytherapy machine, procured at a cost of approximately INR 6-8 crores by the J&K Medical Supply Corporation, is the latest generation model from Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG GmbH (SagiNova). It boasts the highest NEMA sensitivity and quantitation accuracy, which enhances patient care, comfort and satisfaction.
The State Cancer Institute is a prestigious project funded by the Government of India, with an investment of INR 104 crores.
Dr Ashutosh Gupta said that Brachytherapy treatment at SCI Jammu is provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, further benefiting the patients in need of this critical care—(KNO)