Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Prominent Gujjar leader and former Health and Medical Education Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmed, has expressed concern over the Government’s decision to curtail the autonomy of SKIMS Soura.
He emphasized that this move could have a detrimental impact of the functioning of the institution and the quality of patient care provided.
Mian Altaf pointed out that over the years, SKIMS has consistently delivered superior patient care compared to other facilities in the region.
“The institute serves not only the entire Kashmir Valley but also the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir. Stripping SKIMS of its already limited autonomy is likely to negatively affect patient care and medical research within the institution,” said Mian Altaf.
The former Minister highlighted the success of SKIMS over the past 36 years, attributing it to the autonomy of the governing body. He believed that when a health institution is managed by its own doctors and operates autonomously, it leads to better decision-making and coordination between different departments.
SKIMS Soura was established in 1983 as an autonomous medical institute under the J&K State Legislature Act, following the model of AIIMS in New Delhi. Having its governing body was crucial for overseeing administrative and academic affairs independently.
While SKIMS has evolved into one of India’s most prestigious medical centers, it faces challenges such as the lack of staff to cope with an expanding bed capacity.
Mian Altaf expressed concerns that curbing the autonomy of SKIMS would hinder its decision-making processes and create difficulties in inter-departmental coordination.
He called upon the Government to reconsider its decision and restore the institute’s autonomy.
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