Jammu, April 11:
In a move set to transform healthcare accessibility in the Union Territory, AIIMS Jammu has officially set the stage to launch advanced Ocular Oncology services. This initiative promises to provide a “major relief” to patients who, until now, were forced to travel to New Delhi for life-saving eye cancer treatments.
The announcement follows a high-profile symposium titled “Establishing Plaque Brachytherapy Program for Ocular Oncology,” which brought together the nation’s top medical minds to blueprint the future of eye cancer care in the region.
Local Treatment, Global Standards
For years, the absence of specialized ocular oncology in Jammu & Kashmir meant a long, expensive journey to AIIMS New Delhi for diagnosis and surgery.
Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, emphasized during the inaugural session that establishing these services locally is not just about convenience—it’s about timely intervention. Early diagnosis in ocular oncology can often mean the difference between saving a patient’s sight and total vision loss.
Key Highlights from the Symposium:
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Integrated Care: Discussion on the growing need for specialized, multidisciplinary oncology services.
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Research & Infrastructure: Insights into the current capabilities of the Department of Radiation Oncology, which is already scaling up to meet regional demands.
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Expert Collaboration: Specialists from AIIMS New Delhi shared technical blueprints for plaque brachytherapy and radiation therapy.
The Science of Saving Sight: Plaque Brachytherapy
The cornerstone of this new service is Plaque Brachytherapy. This advanced procedure involves placing a small radioactive “plaque” near the tumor to deliver targeted radiation, destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy eye tissue.
“The department is actively catering to the region’s growing clinical demands, and we are preparing to bridge the gap in integrated ocular oncology care.” — Prof. (Dr.) Shabab Lalit Angurana, Dean (Research)
Navigating the Regulatory Path
While the medical expertise is ready, the symposium highlighted the rigorous path to operationalizing these services. Establishing a radiation-based program requires:
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AERB Compliance: Strict adherence to licensing and radiation safety norms from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
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Specialized Infrastructure: Custom-built facilities to handle radioactive materials safely.
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Trained Teams: Close coordination between ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists.
The event concluded with a clear roadmap for procurement, patient selection protocols, and long-term follow-up care. Faculty members underscored the importance of structured training programs to ensure the staff is ready for the technical complexities of radioactive plaque handling.
The Bottom Line: Once operational, AIIMS Jammu will become a primary hub for ocular oncology, strengthening the healthcare fabric of Jammu & Kashmir and ensuring that no patient has to look far for a cure.
