Srinagar 10th April, 2025: A Continuing Medical Education (CME) & Resident Research Orientation Programme was organized jointly by NAMS-SKIMS and the SKIMS Research Cell today at SKIMS Auditorium.
The event marked another significant step in SKIMS’ ongoing commitment to academic excellence and fostering a culture of research and professional growth among young doctors.
The programme was primarily aimed at sensitizing newly inducted residents — the future specialists and researchers of SKIMS — towards patient workup, ethical medical practice, and the fundamentals of clinical research.
A landmark feature of the event was the virtual participation of Prof. Umesh Kapil, Secretary, National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), who despite being unable to attend in person due to weather-related travel disruption, addressed the gathering through a video talk. His address reflected the growing collaboration between NAMS and SKIMS and inspired participants to pursue research excellence with integrity.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries including Prof. Subrata Baidya, HOD Community Medicine, GMC Agartala, who was the Guest of Honour and delivered an insightful talk on communication skills and medical ethics. Another highlight was the Mentor Talk by Prof. Khalid Shah, Professor at Harvard Medical University, renowned globally for his pioneering research in cancer and brain tumors.
Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie & Chief Patron of the event while addressing the gathering said that such academic endeavours are reflective of SKIMS’ vision of nurturing young doctors into competent clinicians and researchers capable of contributing to the global medical community. He said the guides as mentors have significant role in shaping the future clinicians into eminent researchers.
Principal SKIMS MC Prof. Fazlul Qadir Parray & former Dean SKIMS Medical Faculty Prof. Shariq Masoodi deliveref an inspiring mentor talk emphasizing the importance of research and innovation in patient care.
The event was jointly coordinated by the SKIMS NAMS Committee and the SKIMS Research Cell. The organizing team included:Prof. Ajaz Malik, HOD General Surgery – Organizing Chairman, Prof. Showkat Gurcoo, HOD Anaesthesiology – Co-Organizing Chairman
Dr. Syed Mudasir Qadri, Additional Professor, General Medicine – Organizing SecretaryDr. Shahnawaz Hamid, Assistant Professor, Hospital Administration – Co-Organizing Secretary
Issued through PR Office SKIMS
[10/04, 6:45 pm] Kashmir Despatch Basharat Sir: Noted cardiologist launches mobile heart clinic to save lives in south Kashmir
Srinagar — In a first-of-its-kind initiative, India’s reputed cardiologist Upendra Kaul on Thursday launched a project — ‘Heart Clinic on Wheels’ — to provide healthcare facilities in the remote pockets of south Kashmir’s Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts.
The mobile hospital will also be used for school surveys to detect rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, besides obesity in children aged between 5 and15 years, Kaul said.
He said the innovative project, part of the ambitious ‘No Heart Attack’ mission, has been started by Gauri Kaul Foundation (GKF) in collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
The mobile hospital has all the facilities and advanced diagnostic equipment like ECG, portable echocardiography with doppler, ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring for complete non-invasive assessment of heart, he said at the launch of the ‘Heart Clinic on Wheels’ in Hawal village of Pulwama.
To begin with, the clinic will serve in three remote areas of Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam, the doctor said.
“We started Gauri Kaul Foundation in 2021. So far, we have made four telemedicine centres in Machil in Kupwara, Srinagar and Pulwama in Kashmir and Jagti Colony in Jammu. We wanted to do something for the people living in far flung areas who had no access to medical facilities,” he said.
Kaul, founder-director of GKF, said the initiative funded by IOC has got equipment worth Rs 78 lakh.
“We will go to Ayushman wellness centres and examine 100 patients in each district. We will provide them starter medical kits and then after every three months, we will examine them again to check how much the patients got benefitted and submit a report to concerned authorities,” he said.
Kaul said the mobile hospital also has the capabilities to perform important blood biochemistry and point of care tests on-the-spot to detect heart failure (NT-Pro BNP), heart muscle injury (Troponins), preexisting diabetes (HbA1c), blood coagulation profile including INR and D Dimer and inflammatory marker (hs-CRP).
These tests would scientifically diagnose the major risk factors of high blood pressure, the level of control of blood sugar and heart failure of all the types, Kaul said.
The patients, he said, would also be provided appropriate generic drugs from the Janaushidi besides follow-up visits will be done and all the tests repeated at three-month intervals.
“The effects of the treatment will be assessed and compliance of the patients ascertained. A final report will be made and circulated to the health authorities,” he said.
Kaul said the heart clinic will also be used for school surveys to detect rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, besides obesity in children aged 5-15 years.
“This would be the 2nd part of this project. Affected children, their teachers and parents would be advised appropriate prophylactic measures and counselled regarding diet and exercise,” he added.
The doctor said his mission is “no heart attacks”, requesting non-governmental organisations to come forward and help the foundation to take this initiative forward.
“It has to be a partnership between private and government organisations. This is a humble beginning and we hope it helps the people in the remote areas,” he said. — (PTI)
