SKIMS to get separate Nuclear Medicine Block

Mansoor Peer
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10 May 2026

Requisition for cyclotron facility processed: Director Prof Ashraf Ganie

Srinagar, May 09: A separate Nuclear Medicine block is coming up at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, and the requisition for a cyclotron facility along with required infrastructure has already been processed, Director SKIMS/EOSG, Dr (Prof) Mohammad Ashraf Ganie said.

Addressing a two-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on "Theranostics" organised by the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Prof Ganie said, "As part of the future expansion plans, a separate Nuclear Medicine Block is coming up at SKIMS, and the requisition for a cyclotron facility along with the required infrastructure has already been processed."

The Director congratulated the Department of Nuclear Medicine for its dedicated service to the people of the region despite various challenges. He said that Nuclear Medicine holds immense scope in modern healthcare.

Stressing the urgent need for trained manpower in the speciality, he said policymakers have a responsibility to facilitate adequate human resource development through appropriate policy support and relaxation of norms wherever necessary.

Prof Ashraf further underscored the importance of indigenous and affordable healthcare solutions for low-income countries and called for greater collaboration between institutions to promote research and accessible care.

The CME focused on "Theranostics", an emerging precision medicine approach that integrates advanced diagnostic imaging with targeted therapy for the treatment of various cancers. Theranostics, often described as a "See and Treat" approach, enables highly targeted and individualised treatment strategies by combining molecular imaging and therapy under a single platform.

Healthcare experts deliberated upon the transformative role of Theranostics in enhancing precision, efficacy, and patient outcomes in cancer management.

Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, Prof A. Ravinder Nath, said such academic programmes play a vital role in spreading awareness about emerging medical technologies and innovations, adding that genomics has revolutionised drug therapy while stem cell technology has opened new avenues in the treatment of several diseases.

HoD Nuclear Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi, Dr Rakesh Kumar, said Theranostics has introduced a highly individualised treatment approach with promising outcomes in cancer care.

Dean Medical Faculty, SKIMS, Prof Bashir Ahmad Fomda, informed that SKIMS has applied for a postgraduate course in Nuclear Medicine, which would help address the shortage of trained manpower in the specialty.