| Research, patient-care on decline at SKIMS | | Spotted with corruption, favouritism, nepotism | | early times report
Srinagar, Nov 24: While Kashmir's lone super-speciality hospital Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura is losing its status in research, training and patient-care, the hospital is achieving new records in corruption, favouritism and nepotism.
Sources told Early Times that incumbent Director Dr Showkat Zarger is always busy with purchase of high-cost equipments and other items where scope for kickbacks is higher.
"SKIMS has lost its glory, prestige, name, fame and reputation because of single individual who is heading it for the last 18 months. Dr. Zargar's priority is always purchase of high cost equipments and other items that involve huge finances without following codal procedures," they alleged.
"Machines like Linear Accelerator (Rs 21 crores), Laparoscope system (Rs. 84,22,955), Laparoscopic hand instruments (Rs. 34,59,476), Laparoscope for SKIMS College, JVC (Rs. 34,59,476), Laparoscope for accessories (Rs. 31,94781), Syringe infusion pump (€ 24,320), Earring microscope (€ 2,44,880), Gamma Camera (Rs. 3,50,54,080), Lithotripsy (Rs. 2,85,53,351) and Kitchen equipment (Rs 3 crore) have been purchased without consulting the concerned purchasing committees and fulfilling other codal procedures," sources revealed.
A senior medico said the Director has sublet the basic activities to handful blue-eyed officials who have made mess of the patient care at the institute. "Despite sad state of affairs reported by media several times, it seems the Government has no intentions to clear the mess. To divert the attention from the SKIMS mess Dr Zargar managed his entry into the affairs of G B Panth hospital mess," he said.
"How can a person do justice in another house when his own is in disorder?" the medico asked.
The patient care in the SKIMS is the last priority. One can assess the apathy when one enters Accident Emergency Care of the hospital where the patients face threat to their lives every second given the deficiency of life saving drugs, equipment and manpower management.
"If this is the state of affairs at the most critical area of the patient care, what could be the fate of patients in operation theatres, general wards and Intensive Care Units. Apathy of administration towards a proper antibiotic and anti cancer treatment policy is costing many a dear lives without any explanation for which the Director and his blue eyed few do not have time to ponder about," said a senior official in the administration wishing anonymity.
"It is astonishing to see a tertiary healthcare institute like SKIMS having no adequate quantity of cancer drugs available in its stores leaving poor patients high and dry. SKIMS has some Rs 30-40 crore (Plan fund) in its Civil Deposit which the present Director is alleged to have diverted for other purposes rather than for what the funds were meant for," he claimed.
The officials alleged the money was used for the purchase of expensive equipments as he (Director) was able to make good amount out of commission from the companies. "Non availability of IV fluids, normal saline, dextrose saline, dialysis fluids, paracetemol injections, anaesthesia drugs and other life saving emergency drugs for revival of a dying patient in emergency and high end areas and lack of BP machines in various wards and OPDs must serve a eye opener for the Government and the citizens concerned," he added.
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