SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday outlined a roadmap to transform the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, into a quaternary healthcare facility and centre of excellence, while assuring full government support for strengthening patient care, medical education and research.
Chairing a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of SKIMS after a gap of more than five years, Dulloo said the premier institute must benchmark itself against the country’s leading healthcare institutions and adopt the latest technologies and treatment protocols.
He directed the SKIMS administration to prepare a comprehensive plan for upgrading patient care services, infrastructure, equipment, specialised manpower and advanced medical facilities so that patients from Jammu and Kashmir need not travel outside the region for highly specialised treatment.
The Chief Secretary also stressed strengthening SKIMS as a centre for medical education and research, particularly in areas such as cancer and other diseases of growing prevalence in the region. He called for greater focus on research-driven healthcare solutions and the development of highly skilled medical professionals.
During the meeting, SKIMS Director Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie presented the institute’s expansion plans, including strengthening tertiary and quaternary care services, augmenting specialised human resources and upgrading infrastructure.
The committee deliberated on several major projects, including a dedicated Emergency Block, a Trauma Care Centre, an Organ Transplant Unit and a separate OPD block to cater to the growing patient load.
It also approved the creation of posts for the State Cancer Institute and strengthening of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), Nursing and Medical Technology departments.
The committee further cleared the introduction of internship programmes for B.Sc and M.Sc Nursing students to provide structured clinical training and practical exposure.
Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance, Shailendra Kumar, and Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju, also reiterated their support for the institute’s expansion and development plans.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including SKIMS Director Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie, Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina Prof. Fazal Q. Parray and representatives of the Finance, Health and Planning departments.
