Srinagar, Sept 24: Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, visited Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Tuesday, where he engaged with the faculty and toured key medical facilities. The visit focused on enhancing healthcare services and strengthening academic and research programs at the institution.
During a meeting with SKIMS faculty, Dulloo acknowledged the institution’s significant contributions to healthcare in the region. The interaction, held in the SKIMS Board Room, began with a welcome address by Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray, Head of the Colorectal Surgery Unit, followed by a comprehensive review of SKIMS’ recent performance. Medical Superintendent Prof. Farooq A Jan highlighted improvements in patient care, including a revamped Emergency Department, and emphasized ongoing collaborations with national institutions.
Dean of Medical Faculty, Prof. Shariq Masoodi, briefed Dulloo on the academic progress at SKIMS, which now offers over 50 medical and allied courses. Prof. Masoodi also shared the institute’s aspirations to become a full-fledged medical university.
SKIMS Director, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, expressed gratitude for Dulloo’s support and stressed the importance of government backing in overcoming challenges and continuing SKIMS’ role as a premier healthcare institution.
Dulloo assured the government’s commitment to providing full financial and institutional support to SKIMS. He called for the institute’s active involvement in addressing the drug menace and emphasized aligning academic initiatives with National Medical Commission (NMC) standards.
The Chief Secretary also toured various departments, including the Cath Lab, Surgical and Pulmonary ICUs, and the State Cancer Institute, interacting with staff and patients during the visit.
