SANJY-2024: Enhanced medical facilities at SKIMS prove vital for pilgrims

Srinagar, July 17: The improved critical care facilities, helipad, and telemedicine services at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura have been crucial in managing ill pilgrims during the ongoingShriAmarnathJiYatra, significantly improving survival rates.
SKIMS Soura, the major tertiary care hospital for the yatra, has been handling referral cases and providing state-of-the-art treatment facilities to the yatris. Since the start of the annual yatra on June 29, the institute has received 90 critically ill yatris requiring super-specialty care, of which 72 were successfully discharged.
Medical Superintendent, SKIMS, Dr.Farooq Jan, told *Rising Kashmir* that some patients suffered from haemorrhage, myocardial infarction (MI), and acute mountain sickness, with their families having little hope for their survival. Each patient is initially assessed in the Emergency Department and then transferred to specialized wards as needed. The institute has established a dedicated 18-bed disaster ward equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by specialized doctors and nursing staff.
“Additional facilities include ventilator-equipped units in Neuro ICU, Pulmonary ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Critical Care ICU specifically designated for Yatra pilgrims,” he said. Dr. Jan noted that the survival rate has markedly improved this year, with even severely critical patients surviving.
The helipad services have ensured comprehensive medical support, saving the golden hours for patients. The helipad operations adhere to stringent security protocols, ensuring safe and efficient patient transfers. The helipad, a unique feature of SKIMS, has been pivotal in transporting patients to the hospital, with helicopter services provided by the ShriAmarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).
SKIMS’s robust telemedicine facility, functioning 24×7, has experts from various specialties on call for assistance to Yatra patients. “The telemedicine facility has boosted the treatment of patients, providing timely and effective care to critically ill patients referred to SKIMS,” Dr. Jan added.
Director SKIMS, Dr. Ashraf Ganie, recently chaired an online tele-session with the SKIMS team and the Baltal base axis team, attended by the Dean Medical Faculty, Medical Superintendent, Heads of Cardiology and Critical Care, and specialist doctors. Dr.Ganie emphasized that SKIMS, through technological interventions, not only bridges gaps in healthcare delivery but also prioritizes the well-being and safety of yatris.
“SKIMS is steadfast in its mission to prioritize patient safety and recovery, with dedicated teams equipped with state-of-the-art technology and supported by a comprehensive network of services to deliver the highest standards of care,” he said. A daily online meeting at 12:15 p.m. between SKIMS and the camp director at Baltal Base ensures coordination and prompt medical assistance throughout the pilgrimage.