The appointment of Dr. Ashraf Ganie as the new director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has brought both promise and a host of challenges. Having rendered exemplary services at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi and the SKIMS, Dr Ganie in his new role is tasked with navigating a complex healthcare landscape, addressing systemic issues, and steering the institution towards excellence.
The SKIMS, a premier medical institution, has been grappling with a myriad of challenges that threaten its core mission of providing top-notch healthcare over the years. From infighting among faculty to the contentious issue of private practice by doctors despite taking non-practicing allowance, and from an overwhelming overflow of referrals to critical staff shortages, these issues collectively hinder the institute’s proper functioning.
One of the most pressing challenges is the modernization of the SKIMS’ infrastructure. While the institute has been a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, many of its facilities are outdated and require significant upgrades. Dr. Ganie will need to prioritize investments in state-of-the-art medical equipment, advanced technology, and facility renovations to ensure that SKIMS remains at the forefront of medical care.
In the last one year, some members of the SKIMS faculty, who felt suffocated at the premier institution, have left their jobs. Dr Sheikh Zahoor and Dr Azhar Jan Battoo are two of the top surgical oncologists, who resigned to join a private hospital in Srinagar as adverse work culture in which there was mudslinging and discouragement gradually forced them to leave.
The Surgical Oncology department at the SKIMS which was created by Dr Altaf Haji, a Kashmiri specialist, who had left his job in Britain and returned back to Kashmir in 2010-2011, to serve poor Kashmiri patients, is now on the verge of closure. While Dr Altaf was forced to go back to the UK in 2017, the departure of Dr Zahoor and Dr Azhar has been another blow to the department.
Ensuring the retention and recruitment of skilled healthcare professionals is crucial. The medical staff at SKIMS is the backbone of the institution, and addressing their concerns about workload, job satisfaction, and career development will be key. The new director will need to implement strategies to attract top talent, provide ongoing training, and create a supportive work environment to maintain a high standard of patient care.
As a premier medical institution, the SKIMS must also focus on research and development. Dr. Ganie, with his academic background, is well-positioned to foster a culture of research. However, this will require securing funding, establishing collaborations with other research institutions, and promoting a research-oriented mindset among the staff.
Managing the financial health of SKIMS is another significant challenge. Balancing the budget while ensuring that patient care is not compromised will require astute financial planning and management. Dr. Ganie will need to explore diverse funding sources, including government grants, private partnerships, and philanthropic contributions, to maintain financial stability.
Improving patient care standards and expanding community outreach programs are critical areas of focus. Dr. Ganie must ensure that SKIMS provides accessible, high-quality healthcare services to all segments of the population. This involves enhancing patient care protocols, reducing wait times, and implementing community health initiatives to address local health challenges.
Unfortunately, SKIMS has been marred by infighting, which creates a toxic work environment. Faculty disputes often stem from disagreements over administrative decisions, resource allocation, or differences in professional ideologies. Such conflicts not only disrupt the workflow but also demoralize the staff, making it difficult to maintain a cohesive team dedicated to patient care and medical research. Resolving these disputes through effective leadership and conflict resolution mechanisms is crucial for restoring harmony and productivity.
The practice of private consultations by doctors at SKIMS raises ethical and operational concerns. While private practice can supplement doctors’ incomes, it often leads to divided attention and potential conflicts of interest. Doctors might prioritize their private patients over those at SKIMS, resulting in compromised care for the latter.
This dual commitment can also strain the institute’s resources, as doctors may use institutional facilities for private consultations. Implementing strict guidelines and monitoring systems can help mitigate these issues, ensuring that the primary focus remains on serving the patients at SKIMS.
The SKIMS is renowned for its specialized medical services, making it a hub for referrals from across the region. However, the overwhelming influx of patients referred to SKIMS has reached unmanageable levels. This overflow not only burdens the existing infrastructure but also leads to extended waiting times for patients, delayed treatments, and increased pressure on healthcare providers. To address this, there needs to be a more robust referral system, perhaps by enhancing the capabilities of peripheral healthcare centers to handle cases that do not require tertiary care, thereby alleviating the strain on SKIMS.
One of the most pressing issues at SKIMS is the shortage of medical and support staff with 1021 out of 1756 posts vacant, including 115 crucial faculty doctor positions. Staff shortages lead to overworked employees, increased risk of burnout, and a decline in the quality of patient care.
The administration of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Shri Manoj Sinha is committed to transforming the region’s healthcare infrastructure, striving to provide accessible and high-quality medical services to its residents. This relentless pursuit of better healthcare is evident in multiple initiatives aimed at addressing both immediate needs and long-term goals.
One of the cornerstones of the LG administration’s efforts is the upgrading of existing medical facilities and the establishment of new ones. Significant investments have been made in modernizing hospitals and health centers, equipping them with state-of-the-art technology and ensuring the availability of essential medicines and supplies. Additionally, the administration has prioritized the recruitment and training of medical professionals to address the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the region.
The SKIMS administration must take advantage of this and pursue what is required with the LG administration. The challenges facing SKIMS are complex and multifaceted, requiring concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including the administration, faculty, and the government. Addressing infighting among faculty, regulating private practice, managing referral overflow, and tackling staff shortages are essential steps toward restoring SKIMS’ reputation as a leading medical institute.
Dr. Ashraf Ganie’s tenure leadership will be instrumental in driving the institution forward, overcoming these challenges, and ensuring that SKIMS continues to provide exceptional healthcare services to the people of Kashmir. The path ahead is demanding, but with a clear vision and dedicated efforts, Dr. Ganie has the potential to make a lasting impact on the region’s healthcare landscape.
(Author is a senior journalist covering J&K for the last 21 years. He can be mailed at [email protected])
