Lieutenant Governor Sinha Highlights Healthcare Advancements in J&K

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha commended the medical community in Jammu and Kashmir for their unwavering dedication and compassion during a ceremony on December 13. This event marked the conclusion of the SKIMS Annual Festival Week and the initiation of the 29th Post-Graduate Research Presentation Programme (PGRP-2025) in Srinagar. Sinha praised the contributions of doctors, nursing staff, and SKIMS employees, highlighting their role in advancing healthcare in the region.

Established over four decades ago, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) serves as the only tertiary care hospital in the state sector of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite its critical role, the region has historically seen unequal development, particularly between Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha noted that since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, efforts have intensified to rectify this imbalance and improve healthcare infrastructure.

In his address, Sinha pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir has experienced significant healthcare advancements since 2019. “Accessible and affordable quality healthcare has turned into a reality under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji,” he stated. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the remarkable progress in medical education, mentioning that while it took nearly seventy years to create 500 MBBS seats, an additional 800 MBBS seats have been established in just four years.

Sinha highlighted that major challenges, including the lack of government medical colleges and the high costs of private institutions, are being addressed. He reaffirmed his commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all citizens, particularly the underprivileged and those in remote areas. “Guided by the vision of ‘Health for All’, we must ensure inclusive and resilient healthcare,” he added.

The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the transformation of SKIMS in recent years, noting the execution of over 1,100 long-pending promotions and the revival of approximately 1,300 para-medical and ministerial posts. Additionally, he mentioned that more than 1,800 DPC promotions have been cleared, alongside referrals for 367 Non-Gazetted and 159 Gazetted posts to recruiting agencies.

Sinha announced several new initiatives for SKIMS, including the establishment of Future-Centres of Excellence in various medical fields such as transplant services, emergency and trauma care, and neurosciences. During the event, he inaugurated several projects, including the Emergency S.M.A.R.T Lab and a new firefighting system, while also laying the foundation for future developments like a 3 MLD sewage treatment plant and a multi-level car parking facility.

He called for a multifaceted approach to healthcare, leveraging advanced technology to improve accessibility and efficiency. Sinha set five primary goals for healthcare transformation in the region. These include prioritizing data-driven care for personalized treatment, implementing a robust patient treatment auditing system, ensuring complete digital records, developing a decentralized healthcare system, and promoting preventive health measures within communities.

The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie, Director of SKIMS, and Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER Chandigarh, along with senior officials, medical professionals, and SKIMS staff. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort required to enhance healthcare services in Jammu and Kashmir.