SKIMS get Rs 300 Crore; focus is on next 30 years

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EXCLUSIVE

*In 2005, five to six lakh investigations were conducted which have now increased high and during 2007 to 2009, 25 to 28 lakh investigations like urine test, blood test and cholesterol test are being conducted in the basic labs.

By Ajmer Alam Wani

JAMMU, NOV 18: Indian Government has approved Rs 300 crore under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP) for expanding infrastructure of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at Soura in Kashmir. It was a dream of Sher-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the grandfather of state Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah to make SKIMS one of the distinguished institutes of the country, so the CM made active persuasion and the Central Govt approval. With this amount a new block would be constructed, 150 bedded unit will be established and also emergency and accidental units will be set up in the institute. Once the expansion is completed in this Institute, it will become one of the biggest institutes of the country. In the proposed OPD, an Accident Emergency unit will be constructed outside the main premises of institute so the unnecessary and unwanted interference in to the institute premises can be avoided. The OPD will have an underground parking for about 10,000-vehicles and a consolidated lab system package for quick collection of samples of basic patients. The Accident Emergency will have investigation facilities, ICU-unit, theatre block for emergencies and a small laboratory. It is also being planned to have a hospital block for trauma/ head injuries/ cancer treatment etc. The Ward Block will have orthopedics, bones & joints/ cancer treatment, cardiac-care, neuro-care (trauma) units and also an ICU and theatres. The building setup of the institute is about 35 years old but with the passage of time, pressure from distt level have increased which has direct impact on SKIMS. As per the assessment done last year, it was felt that OPD of the institute was for 1 to 2 lakh patients (annually) but afterwards 2003 over 5 lakh patients have been recorded which compelled the need for expansion. Till 1989, 14,000 to 15,000 patients were brought to the Accident Emergency unit which reached 35,000 in 2000 while in the last year over 75,000 people were brought to the Accident Emergency unit. At the initial stage, there were only 600 beds which were added by 50 more beds only, in 1990’s which was not enough as per the requirements. During 1988-89, 12 000 patients were admitted in the hospital, while during the last three years it reached 50,000. In Operation Theaters 2000-4000 operations were being conducted during 1982-82 but now for the last couple of year 12, 000 operations are conducted whereas in some departments patients have to wait. The CT scan requirements have increased while the basic test labs remain the same. In the year 2005, 5 to 6 lakh investigations were conducted which have increased high and during the period 2007 to 2009 25 to 28 lakh investigations like urine test, blood test, cholesterol test are being conducted in the basic labs. The vision of the Director SKIMS, Prof Abdul Hamid Zargar, is to do the expansion of the institute in such a way so the requirements for next 30 years can be met without facing difficulties which are being faced by the institute at present while dealing with the pressure and number of patients with the majority of same infrastructure which was installed or constructed at the time when the institute came existence. However, tendering have been done by SKIMS to invite the top class consultancy services from the parties with experience in Hospital planning including architectural engineering, design knowhow and experience in Detailed Project Report formulation (DPR) of healthcare Institutions health and the proposed expansion blue print can be made more effective after the deliberations.