In a high-level review meeting held at the Civil Secretariat, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura. The session was attended by key officials from the Health & Medical Education Department, Public Works Department, and senior faculty from SKIMS.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo laid out a strategic vision for the future development of SKIMS. He emphasized the urgent need to expand academic programs and medical infrastructure in line with the institute's stated goals. Notably, he directed the rapid addition of seats in postgraduate super-specialty programs — 44 new DM/MCh seats and a proposed increase of 130 MD/MS/PGD seats across 16 critical specialties — with implementation targeted for the upcoming academic session.
Calling for a comprehensive overhaul of emergency and outpatient services, Dulloo instructed hospital authorities to submit high-impact proposals to upgrade these key patient care areas. He further directed that the Liver Transplant Unit be made fully functional by the end of 2025, and encouraged SKIMS to propose additional specialized units to enhance advanced medical care in the region.
On the staffing front, the Chief Secretary reviewed faculty and paramedical staff vacancies, stressing swift recruitment through coordination with the Public Service Commission and other agencies. He also highlighted the institute’s research mandate, urging increased focus on investigating the region's disproportionately high cancer rates.
Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary H&ME, updated the meeting on the recruitment of 105 faculty posts and the long-awaited finalization of recruitment rules for non-gazetted posts across all medical colleges in J&K.
Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS, showcased the institute’s evolution since 1982 and outlined ongoing improvements, including procurement of Rs 94 crore worth of medical equipment in the past year. He detailed upcoming plans such as Centres of Excellence in Cancer Care and organ transplant, as well as new departments focused on AI in Medicine and Clinical Research.
Principal of SKIMS Medical College, Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray, presented a status update on infrastructure projects under the 'Flood Recovery Project' and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to expanding medical education and care.
The meeting concluded with a call for collaborative efforts and accelerated timelines to transform SKIMS into a world-class hub for medical research, education, and patient care.