SKIMS playing vital role in J&K’s healthcare sector: Advisor Kumar

*Farooq announces Rs 1 cr from MPLAD for auditorium

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 5:  Advisor to Governor K Vijay Kumar today said the annual day of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura was a day of commemoration, celebration, thanks giving and patting each other for the creation of such an institute which has played a tremendous role in filling critical healthcare gaps in the State.
K Vijay Kumar said this while speaking at the 36th Foundation Day of SKIMS Soura at SKICC here today. He was the chief guest on the occasion, while as other Advisors B.B Vyas and Kewal Kumar Sharma were guests of honor. Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah was also present on the occasion.
The Advisors were flanked by Director, SKIMS, Dr Omar Javed Shah, Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar, Prof Riyaz A Untoo, senior doctors including Dr Shariq Masoodi, Dr Raffit Hassan, Dr Fazzal Qadir Parray on the podium.
Kumar lauded the SKIMS authorities for their immense contribution in the field of medicine and healthcare in the State. “I have been associated with SKIMS since 1997. I used to come to SKIMS to look after the patients—who were the victims of the situation,” he said.
On technology and medicine, Kumar said that the new inventions and techno-inputs were creating wonders in the field of medicine across the world.
Sharing his vast experience of working in various capacities across the country, Advisor Kewal Kumar Sharma said that there were different models of hospital administrations and the model (Governing Body, Autonomy) through which the SKIMS runs was the best model.
Sharma said that by giving autonomy to institute which is governed and managed by its doctors, the best decisions come out from such health institution. “This governing body and autonomous modal also help in inter-departmental coordination in any health institution,” Sharma said.
He emphasized that the overall progress of SKIMS from last 36 years shows that the model with autonomy to the governing body functions very well and leads to the success stories.
Sharma said that the State Government is committed to provide its support to the SKIMS in terms of allocation of funds for procurement of better healthcare equipment and the up-gradation of infrastructure.
He also spoke about getting funds for languishing projects and various projects approved for SKIMS. He said SKIMS has been given authorization for the Cath Lab costing around Rs 8 crore under the languishing projects scheme.
The authorization has also been given for the construction of drug de-addiction center and procurement of MRI machine at SKIMS Medical College hospital, Bemina which costs around Rs 8 crore each.
Sharma said there are various proposals under consideration including Advanced Pediatric Centre with the estimated cost of Rs 123 crore and 100 bedded maternity hospital to be established in SKIMS. He said various initiatives are being looked into for further strengthening the healthcare facilities in SKIMS.
Speaking on the occasion, Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah applauded SKIMS for its contribution as a center of excellence in healthcare.  He while speaking about various researches going around the world in health said that Jammu and Kashmir lack in the field of medical research. He stressed upon the doctors to focus more on research—which would bring them many accolades.
He asked them to come up with tangible research which can help in curing certain incurable body ailments. Observing that there is a dire need for the construction of an auditorium at SKIMS, Dr Farooq announced Rs 1 crore from MPLAD for the construction of the same.
Earlier, Dr Raffit Hassan Chief, Thoracic and GI Malignancies NCI, NIH USA delivered the Sher-I-Kashmir Oration.
Later, Kumar along with other Advisors e-inaugurated various key projects of SKIMS which included Burn Ward, OPD Block, Library, Staff road and Gastroenterology lab etc. He also released SKIMS Annual Report, 2018 and SKIMS Insight Magazine and Disaster manual.

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