Director dedicates cutting-edge facilities, announces sweeping reforms to ease patient burden
SYED BASHARAT
SRINAGAR, Mar 18: In a major push aimed at redefining tertiary healthcare delivery in Jammu and Kashmir, Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ganaie, on Wednesday announced a series of far-reaching reforms and infrastructure expansions designed to bring what he described as a “sea change” in patient care, accessibility and hospital management.
Addressing members of the media fraternity during an Iftaar interaction at SKIMS Soura, Dr Ganaie laid out a comprehensive vision to modernize both the clinical and administrative architecture of the premier tertiary care institute. At the heart of this transformation is a proposed collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Bank, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in its final stages. Once formalized, the agreement will enable SKIMS to deliver a range of its online healthcare services through the bank’s widespread network of Khidmat Centres, effectively decentralizing access and bringing hospital services closer to people in far-flung areas of Kashmir.
The Director underscored that accessibility and efficiency remain key pillars of the reform process. In line with this, SKIMS is preparing to roll out a single-window system through the installation of kiosks near all Out Patient Departments (OPDs), a move expected to streamline patient registration, reduce waiting times and eliminate procedural bottlenecks that often burden patients and attendants alike.
In a significant boost to the institute’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities, Dr Ganaie revealed that SKIMS is set to procure an additional cyclotron facility at an estimated cost exceeding Rs 85 crore. This high-end equipment is crucial for advanced imaging and cancer care, and its addition is expected to strengthen the institute’s position as a leading centre for oncology services in the region.
The expansion blueprint also includes a major infrastructural overhaul of emergency services. Dr Ganaie announced that a seven-storey, high-capacity emergency services building will soon come up adjacent to the existing emergency department. The project envisages converting the current parking space into a dedicated ward utility area, significantly enhancing the hospital’s ability to manage critical cases and patient inflow.
While detailing these ambitious plans, the Director also raised concerns over operational challenges that continue to strain the institution. He appealed to the public to avoid bringing large numbers of attendants with patients, noting that overcrowding compromises the quality of care and hampers the functioning of hospital services. Equally important, he emphasized the urgent need to rationalize patient referrals from peripheral healthcare institutions across Kashmir. According to him, SKIMS, being a tertiary care centre, is increasingly burdened with cases that could be effectively managed at district and sub-district hospitals, thereby diverting critical resources away from patients requiring specialized care.
Dr Ganaie stressed that strengthening peripheral healthcare systems and ensuring judicious referral practices are essential for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of tertiary institutions like SKIMS.
The announcements coincided with the formal commissioning of a wide array of advanced diagnostic facilities and infrastructure upgrades at SKIMS, marking a significant milestone in the institute’s ongoing efforts to deliver precision-driven and patient-centric healthcare.
On this occasion, the Director SKIMS, commissioned a series of high-end medical equipment and advanced diagnostic facilities aimed at enhancing precision diagnostics, improving clinical decision-making and enabling timely and optimal treatment of patients.
A key highlight of the initiative is the installation of high-resolution ultrasound (USG) machines within individual wards, a step that effectively brings diagnostic services to the patient’s bedside. This advancement allows clinicians to carry out immediate evaluations and make quicker clinical decisions, thereby significantly improving patient management and treatment outcomes.
In a major leap for cancer care, the Department of Pathology has operationalized an advanced Immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel comprising 174 markers. This sophisticated diagnostic tool will enable more accurate tumour classification and facilitate personalized treatment strategies, marking a substantial enhancement in the institute’s precision oncology capabilities.
Further strengthening diagnostic services, the Department of Microbiology has been equipped with state-of-the-art automated systems for mycobacterial detection. These systems are designed to ensure rapid and precise identification of infectious diseases as well as antimicrobial resistance patterns, thereby improving both diagnosis and patient care outcomes.
The institute has also upgraded its radiology services with the installation of digital X-ray systems that promise faster imaging and improved diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the emergency operation theatre has undergone modernization with the incorporation of advanced surgical equipment, aimed at strengthening emergency surgical care.
Patient handling and comfort have also been prioritized through the introduction of new bed-cum-trolleys in the emergency department, enhancing mobility and efficiency during critical care situations. Complementing these clinical upgrades, SKIMS has installed state-of-the-art hospital furniture to improve overall patient comfort and infrastructure quality.
To streamline communication and administrative processes, the institute has put in place an advanced public address system for better coordination across departments, along with modern photocopiers and document management systems to enhance record-keeping and administrative efficiency.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ganaie stated that the commissioning of these advanced facilities reflects SKIMS’ continued commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure and delivering cutting-edge medical services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.
The latest initiatives, both in terms of infrastructure expansion and technological upgradation, underscore SKIMS’ evolving role as a premier healthcare institution, striving to balance growing patient demands with the need for quality, efficiency and innovation in medical care.
