SKIMS Autonomy Key to J&K’s Healthcare Revival: CM
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need to restore the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) to its autonomous status for healthcare progress in the region. Speaking at a public event, the CM underscored that bureaucratic interference has hindered the institution’s ability to deliver high-quality care and innovate in medical research.
The CM argued that a decentralized model would empower SKIMS to operate with greater efficiency and accountability. “Autonomy is not just about independence but about making the institute capable of responding to challenges swiftly and effectively,” she remarked.
Medical experts in the region have supported this view, pointing to how autonomy had previously allowed SKIMS to pioneer healthcare advancements. However, over the past decade, increasing administrative controls have slowed its progress, creating barriers to patient care.
Critics have also raised concerns about political influences affecting decision-making within SKIMS. They argue that restoring autonomy will not only improve healthcare services but also attract more talented professionals to the institute.
Patients, too, have expressed frustration over delays in critical treatments and diagnostic services. A local resident stated, “SKIMS used to be a symbol of excellence; now, it struggles to meet basic needs.”
Restoring SKIMS’ autonomy has become a rallying cry for many in the region, with experts and citizens urging the government to prioritize it in upcoming reforms. Whether the CM’s assurances translate into action remains to be seen, but the call for change has never been louder.
