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| Ailing SKIMS Medical College faces de-recognition | | Lacks required bed strength, ICU | |
Early Times Report
srinagar, Jan 17: Notwithstanding its takeover by the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical sciences (SKIMS) in 1998, the erstwhile Jhelum Valley College of Medical Sciences (JVCMS) which was rechristened as SKIMS Medical College continues to narrate a story of official neglect and apathy. The college faces possible de-recognition by Medical Council of India (MCI) as the authorities take a nap.
Reliable sources told ET that the college had bed strength of 280 at its inception, which has now dwindled to just 220 on account of official neglect. Forget about enhancement of intake capacity, the college which was established with an intake capacity of 50 may not even be able to sustain that, as it does not fulfill the criteria set by the MCI.
"The SKIMS must increase the bed strength of the Medical College hospital to 400 beds which is a pre-requisite for a Medical College of 50 students intake capacity. An increase in student intake to 100, which the Health Ministry has proposed, is a distant dream under such circumstances", the sources added.
A senior doctor, wishing anonymity, said the bed strength of 400 for the hospital is mandatory for MCI Recognition as the teaching facility of SKIMS at Soura will not be accepted as part of the college by the MCI. "The MCI would not accept the SKIMS infrastructure for the college as it is more than 12 kms away from the campus. As per the guidelines the teaching units cannot be more than 5 KMs away from the main campus", he said adding the undergraduate students studying at the college at present waste more than 2 hours of work daily on account of travel to and from SKIMS Soura.
The college does not even have a full time Principal posted at the campus. SKIMS Soura has been deputing a faculty member as the Principal to the SKIMS Medical College, which adversely affects work at both SKIMS Soura and the SKIMS College at Bemina, they added.
Surprisingly, the Medical College hospital even lacks equipment like MRI, CT scanner, Digital XRay machine, Laproscopic Equipment, Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Unit besides a large number of life saving gadgets and advanced diagnostic equipment.
"Many other colleges established around the same time have been upgraded to undertake post-graduate courses. For example Batra Medical College Jammu was able to start PG courses within only 8 years of its establishment, but SKIMS Medical College despite completing 15 years has deteriorated and struggles to sustain the initial infrastructure", said a student.
The college even lacks sufficient space and building infrastructure for upgradation of facilities and housing of modern equipment. "The departments are not able to get new equipment, advanced diagnostic tools for want of space as the same has not been enhanced since last 14 years despite a tenfold increase in out patient load. The costly equipment are procured as it fetches good commission whereas basic small items are neglected", said a doctor on the conditions of anonymity.
Strategic location of the hospital is a great plus as it is easily accessible for people from districts like Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipore, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag throught the Jammu-Srinagar-Uri National Highway. However, the SKIMS authorities have so far been unable to bring the resources, manpower and location of the hospital to use for benefit of common masses.
Despite official claims that a plan for revival and upgradation of the Medical College apart from procurement of equipment has been devised, the change refuses to show on ground and patients continue to suffer for want of quality medical services. |
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