SKIMS SFC Meeting: Chief Secretary Sets Vision to Transform SKIMS into Quaternary Care Hub with Upgraded Healthcare, Research, and Education Facilities

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 08, 2026 — In a major administrative milestone aimed at accelerating long-pending developmental initiatives, the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, convened under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo after a gap of more than five years. The last SFC meeting was conducted in August 2021, and the revival of this high-level financial and decision-making body is set to expedite critical infrastructure projects, expand operational capacities, and chart a sustainable roadmap for the growth of the region’s apex healthcare institution. Attended by key senior officials—including Financial Commissioner Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education M. Raju, Director SKIMS Mohd. Ashraf Ganie, Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina Fazal Q. Parray, and representatives from the Planning Department—the meeting established a unified goal to elevate SKIMS into a state-of-the-art quaternary healthcare facility and regional Centre of Excellence.

During the session, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo called upon the management to adopt global medical practices, cutting-edge technologies, and modernized treatment protocols so that patients across Jammu and Kashmir no longer need to travel outside the region for advanced medical interventions. Assuring full government backing for super-specialty upgrades, human resource expansion, and advanced research—particularly targeting localized healthcare challenges like cancer—the Chief Secretary emphasized expanding quaternary access across all socio-economic strata. Echoing these goals, Financial Commissioner Shailendra Kumar highlighted the importance of financial sustainability and self-reliance, while Commissioner Secretary M. Raju lauded the institute’s academic and clinical contributions. Director SKIMS Mohd. Ashraf Ganie presented a detailed operational outline featuring key performance metrics, such as handling lakhs of outpatient visits, thousands of inpatient admissions, and high-volume diagnostic and surgical procedures.

To turn this strategic vision into reality, the Committee cleared several vital infrastructure expansion proposals, including a dedicated Emergency Block, a state-of-the-art Trauma Care Centre, an Organ Transplant Unit, and a high-capacity OPD Block. Furthermore, the SFC approved the creation of essential administrative and clinical posts for the State Cancer Institute while strengthening key departments such as Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), Nursing, and Medical Technology. In a boost to healthcare education, the panel also sanctioned structured clinical internship programs for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Nursing students to provide critical practical exposure, ensuring SKIMS continues to reinforce its stature as a premier hub for high-end patient care, advanced medical education, and biomedical research.