Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): Marking a significant administrative milestone and providing a fresh impetus to long-pending developmental initiatives, the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, met after a gap of over five years under Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, setting a clear vision for transforming the premier medical institution into a quaternary healthcare facility and Centre of Excellence in the region.
The last meeting of the Standing Finance Committee had been held in August 2021. The revival of the high-level financial and administrative mechanism is expected to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, strengthen institutional capacities and provide a renewed roadmap for the future growth of SKIMS.
The meeting was attended by Shailendra Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance; M. Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS & EOSG; Prof. (Dr.) Fazal Q. Parray, Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina; and a representative of the Planning Department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary called upon the SKIMS administration to set a higher institutional benchmark by transforming the institute into a quaternary healthcare facility and a Centre of Excellence for medical institutions across the region.
He assured that the Government would extend all possible support to SKIMS for upgrading its capacities in super-speciality healthcare, advanced medical technologies, medical education and cutting-edge research, in line with the original mandate and vision behind establishment of the premier institution.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for an all-round transformation of patient-care services, with SKIMS adopting the latest technologies, treatment protocols and medical practices evolving globally.
He maintained that the institute has to be several notches higher in its approach, infrastructure and facilities to meet the emerging healthcare requirements of the region, emphasizing that the institution must continuously benchmark itself against the best national healthcare facilities.
He directed the SKIMS administration to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening patient care, infrastructure, equipment, human resources and specialized services, with the objective of ensuring that patients from Jammu and Kashmir do not have to travel outside the region for advanced and highly specialized treatment.
The Chief Secretary further emphasized strengthening SKIMS as a Centre of Excellence in medical education and research, particularly in areas such as cancer and other diseases of growing prevalence in the region. He called for greater focus on research-driven healthcare solutions and creation of a pool of highly skilled medical professionals capable of addressing emerging health challenges.
He maintained that access to quaternary-level healthcare should be expanded so that people can avail advanced treatment facilities closer to their homes, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Financial Commissioner (ACS), Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar, expressed strong commitment towards supporting an institution of the stature and strategic importance of SKIMS.
He emphasized the need for SKIMS to pursue administrative excellence, financial sustainability and greater institutional self-reliance, while continuously setting higher benchmarks in specialized and high-end patient care.
Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, M. Raju, appreciated the efforts of the SKIMS leadership towards strengthening the institute's performance in patient care, academics and research. He reiterated the importance of sustained institutional growth to meet the evolving healthcare requirements of the people.
Earlier, Director SKIMS, Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Ashraf Ganie, presented a comprehensive vision for institutional expansion, outlining measures for strengthening tertiary and quaternary healthcare, augmenting specialized human resources, upgrading infrastructure and integrating modern medical technologies.
Highlighting SKIMS's pivotal role as the apex healthcare institution of the region, he presented key performance indicators reflecting the institute's extensive service delivery, including lakhs of outpatient visits, thousands of inpatient admissions, complex surgical procedures and a large volume of laboratory and radiological investigations undertaken during the year.
The Committee held detailed deliberations on a range of strategic priorities aimed at accelerating the overall development of the institution. It gave a detailed consideration to accord necessary clearances to several critical infrastructure and service-expansion initiatives, including augmentation of Emergency Services through a dedicated Emergency Block, establishment of a Trauma Care Centre and Organ Transplant Unit, and creation of a dedicated OPD Block to cater to the large number of patients seeking outpatient care at SKIMS every day.
The Committee further approved the creation of requisite posts for the effective functioning of the State Cancer Institute, besides strengthening the Departments of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), Nursing and Medical Technology.
In a move aimed at strengthening professional training and practical exposure, the Committee also gave the go-ahead for introducing internship programmes for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Nursing students, providing them with structured clinical experience and opportunities to further hone their skills and expertise.
The Committee reiterated the Government's firm commitment to providing requisite administrative and financial support for timely implementation of priority projects and institutional expansion plans.
The meeting is expected to provide renewed momentum to the development of SKIMS and strengthen its position as a leading regional hub for advanced healthcare, medical education and biomedical research, with the long-term objective of placing the institution among the leading centres of excellence in the country—(KNO)