A first ever foray into journey of Largest, Semi-autonomous, lone medical institute of J&K which is headed by Director who is also Ex-officio Secretary to the government, Dr Omar Javed Shah.
Well known institute is serving as an industry for production of highly qualified doctors, nurses and paramedical personnels.
The construction of this institute spawned in year 1976, got functional in 1982 and hence in 1983, was granted deemed University status.
A quarterly news letter has been started and was ist issued on 5th Dec by His Excellency Hon’ble Governor of J&K. The institute was also partially commissioned on 5th Dec 1982.
Over the years, it played pivotal role to provide facilities of specialised medical care, developed super specialities that would provide tertiary health care and Education in medical sciences and clinical research.
It has extended referral linkages between primary, secondary and tertiary health care institutions of the state to subserve an optimum health care delivery system.
Provision of 806 beds have been made to cater population of 14 million in J&K.
Medical institutes and health care system have always been headlines for newspapers and online media for their lousy grades. Insight into the attainments of this institute is legendary in its terms whether we start from improvisation in patient care, equipment and infrastructure development, human resource planning and development or introduction of new diagnostic modalities.
In view of patient care, Skims has nevertheless been static in improvisation of patient care. Expansion of the billing and registration counters, general wards, maternity wards, beds, septic OT, Emergency medicine wards and various labs have occurred. In terms of security issues, improvisations have been made by instating CCTV cameras in whole institute.
Recent infrastructure renovations like installation of burn ward, state cancer institute and 100 bedded maternity hospital have been made promising.
As stated by Dr Omar, “A new separate car parking for emergency as well as for staff have been created. Plans have been formulated for efficient land utilization like construction of additional hostel building and extension of wards. Inspite of the ongoing challenges in the valley, 2 blocks of sarai of 54&32 suites were made open in service of public. Telemedicine network has extended to Siachen Glacier & Panchtarini Base Camp Hospital, DH Kathua, DH Kargil, & DH Kupwara.
In view of tourists pilgrimage in the valley, Yatri cell has also been established along with communicable disease cell for tracking epidemics”.
Newer diagnostic modalities have been introduced for potent health care delivery.
On 9th Jan 2018, PET-CT scan was installed in Skims for the very first time in the state. This diagnostic imaging is game changer in the modern medical practice particularly in fields of oncology, cardiology and neurology.
Overcoming all the challenges, efficient patient care has been made likely by creating an accessible and affordable PET CT Facilities in the state.
With the staff strength of 13, a total of approximately 1000 PET CT scans have been performed at skims (565 males 430 females).
Future looks promising in fields of Nuclear Medicine & PET CT with the upcoming new Nuclear medicine block near Genetic Centre, its own on-site cyclotron & PET MR.
Renal Transplantation, most tremendous program was started in 1999. Till date more than 200 successful kidney transplants have been done. Neuro interventional procedures procured tremendous response over last one year by performing coiling of aneurysms, stenting etc like procedures and decreased morbidity and mortality among patients of brain hemorrhage by avoiding cumbersome open skull surgical procedures.
So reiterating the main point, the dream hospital of Kashmir has made promising and adept results in fruitful health care delivery system. Further improvisation will happen in near future in terms of Patient care, infrastructure development, educational and human resource development etc.
BY DR.ROZIA BUKHARI