Srinagar, Aug 8 (NVI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set a vision to transform the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, into a quaternary healthcare facility and a Centre of Excellence for advanced medical care, research and education.
The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of SKIMS met here on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, after a gap of more than five years. The last meeting of the committee was held in August 2021.
Dulloo called upon the SKIMS administration to set higher institutional benchmarks and upgrade its capacities in super-speciality healthcare, advanced medical technologies, medical education and cutting-edge research.
He assured the institute of all possible government support for strengthening infrastructure, equipment, human resources and specialised services.
The Chief Secretary directed the SKIMS administration to prepare a comprehensive roadmap aimed at ensuring that patients from Jammu and Kashmir do not have to travel outside the Union Territory for advanced and highly specialised treatment.
He also stressed the need to strengthen SKIMS as a Centre of Excellence in medical education and research, particularly in areas such as cancer and other diseases of growing prevalence in the region.
“Access to quaternary-level healthcare should be expanded so that people can avail advanced treatment facilities closer to their homes, irrespective of their socio-economic status,” the administration said.
The meeting deliberated on several infrastructure and service-expansion initiatives, including augmentation of emergency services through a dedicated Emergency Block, establishment of a Trauma Care Centre and Organ Transplant Unit, and creation of a dedicated OPD Block.
The committee also approved the creation of requisite posts for the State Cancer Institute and measures to strengthen the Departments of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Nursing and Medical Technology.
It also gave the go-ahead for introducing internship programmes for BSc and MSc Nursing students to provide them with structured clinical training and practical exposure.
Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance, Shailendra Kumar stressed the need for administrative excellence, financial sustainability and greater institutional self-reliance at SKIMS.
Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M Raju, appreciated the institute’s efforts in patient care, academics and research and stressed the need for sustained institutional growth.
Earlier, SKIMS Director Prof (Dr) Mohd Ashraf Ganie presented a roadmap for institutional expansion, including strengthening tertiary and quaternary healthcare, augmenting specialised manpower, upgrading infrastructure and integrating modern medical technologies.
The meeting is expected to give fresh impetus to the development of SKIMS as a regional hub for advanced healthcare, medical education and biomedical research, the administration said.(NVI)
