Srinagar, Apr 30: In a bid to step up strengthening in-hospital critical care, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura has decided to establish small Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and High Dependency Units (HDUs) in every ward, with around 40 wards set to be equipped under the initiative, SKIMS authorities said on Thursday.
Director SKIMS, Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, while speaking to the media said the move aims to ensure that critically ill patients receive immediate care without the need for shifting them out of their respective wards.
“We have taken a decision that every ward will have a small ICU or HDU so that if a patient becomes critical, they can be managed within the ward itself,” he said.
To operationalise the plan, the institute has procured essential life-saving equipment including infusion pumps, monitors, defibrillators and ventilators, which will be installed in a phased manner across the identified wards.
Dr Ganie said that in addition to strengthening critical care, SKIMS has also initiated steps to decentralise diagnostic services. The Director said that ultrasound, X-ray, EEG, and ECG machines will be made available on every floor to minimise patient movement and improve efficiency in care delivery.
“These facilities will ensure that patients do not have to be shifted frequently for basic investigations,” he added, noting that the process has already begun with the arrival of new equipment.
The announcements were made during an informal interaction with faculty members and media persons at the institute, which also marked a farewell to senior professor and former dean Prof Shoukat Gurku.
According to officials, the institute has undertaken over Rs 24 crore department-wise upgradation, covering several critical areas. In General Medicine and Critical Care, a portable isolation unit for kidney transplant patients has been added. Paediatrics and Neonatology departments have been equipped with a high-end open care warmer and an amplitude EEG machine.
The Nephrology department has received a hemodiafiltration machine, while Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery and Emergency services have been strengthened with advanced operative chairs and stools.
A major addition includes a 3D 4K visualization tower installed for kidney transplant, laparoscopic, microsurgical and open surgical procedures at the Maternity Hospital and Surgical Oncology unit. The CCU and Anaesthesiology departments have been equipped with a fibre optic bronchoscope with monitoring and recording facilities.
In Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), a 4K ultra high-definition laparoscopy imaging system has been introduced, while operation theatres have been upgraded with high-precision headlights and binocular loupes.
The Maternity Hospital has also received a portable X-ray machine.
Apart from this, Rs 9.3 crore worth of additional equipment has been procured for hospital-wide services, including centrifuge machines, ECG machines, and IT infrastructure like computer workstations, printers, scanners and modular monitors.
Dr Ganie said the continuous upgradation of infrastructure remains central to SKIMS’ vision of delivering advanced, patient-centric care. He noted that the integration of cutting-edge technology will enhance diagnostic accuracy, surgical precision and overall patient outcomes.
Officials said the combined initiatives are expected to significantly improve emergency response, streamline diagnostics and elevate the overall standard of healthcare delivery at the institute.
