KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, April 7 (KD NEWS SERVICE): Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, is undergoing a transformative infrastructure overhaul aimed at elevating healthcare delivery and aligning it with the best national standards.
Announcing this significant development on World Health Day, Director SKIMS, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Ganaie, revealed that medical equipment worth over Rs 50 crore has already been procured, with another Rs 40 crore worth of machinery set to be added soon. A fresh proposal of Rs 55 crore has also been submitted to the government for approval, pushing the total planned investment to Rs 145 crore.
At a press conference held on Sunday, Dr. Ganaie emphasized that the upgradation is part of a long-term vision to make SKIMS a flagship institution of excellence in tertiary healthcare. The recent acquisitions aim to bolster critical care services and enhance diagnostic capabilities across departments.
The newly acquired equipment includes:
150 state-of-the-art ICU beds
Radiofrequency ablation machines
3D 4K visualizer towers for kidney transplant surgeries
High-speed neurosurgical drills
Advanced biochemistry and urine analyzers
Wide bore CT simulators for radiotherapy
Endoscopy systems
Portable X-ray and colour Doppler ultrasound machines
Pediatric bronchoscopy systems
High-flow nasal cannula therapy units
Bubble CPAP machines for neonatal care
Modern anesthesia workstations
Phototherapy units for newborns
Compound microscopes for research
A new water filtration plant for hospital-wide use
These additions are expected to significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce dependence on facilities outside the Union Territory for complex treatments.
Dr. Ganaie also used the occasion to announce a major administrative decision: the promotion of 1,000 employees through various Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs). The move, he said, acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the SKIMS staff and is intended to boost morale across the workforce.
In response to queries about past financial lapses and underutilized funds, Dr. Ganaie assured that a committee will soon be constituted to probe the issue. “We believe in accountability, not blame games. The goal is to learn from the past and ensure such lapses don’t recur,” he noted.
Addressing recent criticisms directed at the institute, Dr. Ganaie urged for a balanced approach. “SKIMS is a collective asset of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While constructive feedback is welcome, unwarranted negativity undermines the institution’s credibility,” he remarked.
The sweeping upgrade at SKIMS comes at a time when healthcare demand is intensifying across the region. With the ongoing infrastructure and equipment modernization, SKIMS is poised to play a more dynamic role in meeting the advanced medical needs of the people and strengthening the Union Territory’s healthcare ecosystem.
