As stomach and colorectal cancer cases surge in South Kashmir, the Department of Radiation Oncology at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has achieved a critical milestone—it has been designated as a Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The HBCR, part of ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Program since 1982, collects structured data from hospitals nationwide to improve patient care, monitor cancer trends, and support clinical research. Until recently, all data from South Kashmir was routed to SKIMS in Srinagar.

With over 2,000 cancer cases registered in just four years—and 550 last year alone—GMC Anantnag’s recognition comes at a pivotal time. Dr. Shahid Bashir Wani, Head of Radiation Oncology, highlighted the dire need: “Stomach cancer is especially prevalent here. Yet, we don’t have radiation therapy facilities.”

Currently, GMC offers chemotherapy services. Patients requiring radiation must travel to SKIMS or SMHS. Plans are in motion, however, to build a dedicated Radiation Oncology block, which could evolve into a full-fledged Regional Cancer Centre for South Kashmir.

Radiation therapist Peerzada Faizan Gul, the official liaison for the project, handled formalities with ICMR. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by GMC Principal Prof. Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb, ICMR Director Dr. Prashant Mathur, and Dr. Wani. Dr. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Dar will serve as Co-Investigator.

With this move, South Kashmir takes a vital step toward localized, data-driven cancer care.