Srinagar, July 21: National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir apprising him that the government’s recent decision of divesting the SKIMS of its autonomous status has had an adverse effect on its decision-making process.
The delegation comprising Dr Farooq Abdullah (NC), M Y Tarigami CPI(M) and Dr Mehboob Beg (JKPDP), according to a statement issued by J&K State Committee CPI(M), told the LG that since its inception, the institute continued to add new milestones to its distinguished journey; however, the institute is beset with practical difficulties, which takes a toll on both patient care and it’s overall functioning.
The 1250-bedded top-tier institute having the 129-bedded maternity hospital ranks among the best medical institutions in the country. “Besides patient care, SKIMS provides training and quality research. It offers courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. The institute has produced doctors and researchers of the highest calibre besides hosting a flurry of national and international conferences,” the statement said.
The leaders said the institution is facing a staff deficit with hundreds of slots at various levels – medical, paramedic and administrative lying vacant. There is a 50 percent shortage of all technical and nursing staff and the recruitment has not been conducted for the last seven years, they said, adding, “As of date, a total number of 1201 posts of different categories including 115 faculty positions, 149 gazetted posts, 870 non-gazetted and 67 positions of senior and junior residents are vacant.”
The SKIMS has also been facing a distinctive challenge due to inadequate infrastructure and funds, the delegation said. “Of 3 CT scan machines, only one is functional while an old MRI machine has been out of order. There is no Linear Accelerator available with the facility. The equipment is crucial to administer radiation to cancer patients. The gynae hospital of the institute is facing acute space constraints,” they added.
The institute has not made any significant advancement in robotic surgery owing to financial constraints, and of the Rs 400 crore annual budget, around 70 percent is spent on salaries while the institute is also running a paramedical and a nursing college, the leaders said.
According to the memorandum, “Besides the SKIMS, the other premier hospitals are facing well-nigh similar issues. Hundreds of posts are lying vacant in SMHS Srinagar and Children’s Hospital, Bemina… The district-level hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir paint the same dismal picture. In the absence of radiotherapy facilities in such hospitals, cancer patients have to endure immense hardships. They have to seek treatment in Srinagar and other private hospitals which enhances their treatment cost.”
The shortage of manpower has not only placed additional strain on the existing staff in the SKIMS and other hospitals but also raises concerns over the quality of care being provided to patients, they said, adding that the lack of crucial equipment stymies patient care.
“It is important that the vacant slots be filled on fast track basis to ensure the seamless functioning of these premier hospitals,” the leader said.
