JK’s Pride: SKIMS brighterkashmir.com

The importance of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for J&K’s healthcare sector needs no introduction. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people belonging to the disadvantaged, impoverished and disillusioned sections of the society get world class medical care by an outstanding faculty that has withstood the test of the times. Commissioned by the National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the institute started working in 1982. The work has never stopped since, despite the ugly turns taken by events in Kashmir that robbed peace and tranquility from our homes as well as our little piece of heaven! On December 5, the institute celebrated its 37th Annual Day at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of Dal Lake. During the day-long event, the speakers lauded the vision of Sheikh Abdullah in setting up a world class medical care facility in Kashmir at a time when more than seventy percent of the country was struggling with poverty and deaths due to hunger. According to historians, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had got treatment at PGI Chandigarh on two occasions and the facilities available there and the quality of patient care had left him impressed and he wanted to replicate the model in Kashmir. As per a story narrated by Dr Ajit Kumar, the founding director of the institute who was among the speakers on the institute’s annual day, Sheikh Abdullah was confident that Jammu and Kashmir needs a medical care institute on the lines of PGI Chandigarh. However, the Sheikh didn’t go into the bureaucratic chessboard. Instead, he brought the man at the helm of affairs in Chandigarh and requested him to replicate the model in Kashmir. Over the years, the institute has treated millions of patients while growing from strength to strength. With the induction of latest technology in medical care, referrals to other states from JK have come down drastically. Unfortunately, over the past three decades of political turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir, the management of the institute has been subjected to unsolicited political and other interventions which have not only somewhat compromised the autonomy of the institution but it has also led to demoralization of the institute’s faculty. With a new system in place, curtains must be brought down on the corrupt traditions of the past which promoted and incentivized mediocrity while punishing the intellect and those who dared to live up to the principles and vision of the institute’s founding fathers. With a new head at the helm of affairs, the SKIMS management is steering the institute away from turbulence. In this endeavor, he must get unconditional support of the government.