Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 05 : During its Annual Day celebrations, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) was lauded as the ultimate healthcare destination for patients across Kashmir, reaffirming its pivotal role in the region’s healthcare landscape.
Speaking at the event, Director SKIMS, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, highlighted the institution’s relentless efforts to deliver quality medical care despite significant challenges.
Dr. Ganie acknowledged the constraints faced by SKIMS, including operating with just 40% of the required staff, relying on outdated and worn-out machinery, and managing limited resources. “Despite these hurdles, our team works tirelessly day and night to ensure that every patient receives the best possible treatment,” he said.
He further said, “SKIMS is not just a healthcare institution; it is a beacon of hope for every sick patient in Kashmir. Our dedicated staff continues to uphold the trust placed in us by the people, even in the face of adversity.”
Dr. Ganie noted that SKIMS ranks among the top three or four institutions in the country, meeting all the parameters set by premier institutes like PGI Chandigarh and AIIMS Delhi.
Sharing operational statistics, he revealed that SKIMS, with its 1,100 beds, caters to approximately 5,000 patients daily in its outpatient department (OPD), handles 250 daily admissions, manages 100 daily emergencies, performs 60 emergency surgeries, and maintains an 86% bed occupancy rate.
Dr. Ganie advocated for SKIMS to be declared a Medical University for Jammu and Kashmir, under which all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the region could function. He also proposed the construction of a 1,000-seat auditorium, a dedicated library block, a nuclear medicine block, and mechanized parking facilities for the hospital.
Highlighting the need for improved infrastructure, he called for a one-time package for repairing and maintaining all medical equipment, upgrading machinery, and addressing the 60% vacancy in staff recruitment. Additionally, he stressed the need for facilities like liver transplants and other advanced healthcare services.
Dr. Ganie also underscored the importance of implementing a structured referral system to ensure that patients who can be treated at other hospitals are not unnecessarily directed to SKIMS.
“SKIMS remains committed to serving the region and providing accessible, quality healthcare to all,” he added—
