After facing criticism, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Kashmir’s premier tertiary care hospital, said that the order regarding designating nodal officers to “facilitate patients” from top government offices has been misinterpreted, and clarified that the institute does not differentiate between patients on the basis of recommendations.
The spokesperson of SKIMS said that it reiterates that all patients are equally important to them and any streamlining or triaging is done only on the basis of urgency of care needed.
“In no case it is the basis of any recommendation,” the spokesperson said.
The officer said in an endeavour of streamlining patient flow, SKIMS recently inaugurated Medical Social Welfare Cell with designated staff and nodal officers, among other initiatives.
“This cell takes care of deserving and needy patients through ABPMJAY, RAN, Chief Ministers Cancer Treatment etc. The order in question was issued to facilitate the hassle free benefit of such schemes to poor and needy patients who approach Rajbhawan, Honble CM office and other higher offices for the scheme benefits. Where does the question of VIP treatment come,” the spokesperson asked.
The officer said much of the current public debate appears to stem from misinterpretation or sensationalised reporting.
“SKIMS remains committed to equitable care, ethical practice, and transparency, and urges the public to rely on factual information. Responsible discourse is essential to maintaining trust in healthcare institutions, and SKIMS will continue strengthening systems that benefit all patients—without fear or favour,” the spokesperson said.
On November 21, SKIMS Director issued an order assigning Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Professor, General Medicine, to facilitate patients from top government offices, with Dr. Qazi Mudasir Javeid, a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon at the Skill Development Centre/Vet Lab SKIMS, designated to assist him.
The order drew criticism from the social media and politicians.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone alleged that the order mandates special treatment for guests of VIPs.
“This is an order issued by the premier medical institution in J and K, SKIMS, detailing special treatment for guests of VIPs. If this order has actually been issued, this represents a new low,” Lone said yesterday on X.
“In a profession as noble as medicine, patients guests of VIPs will invariably be given preference over patients who deserve preference on medical grounds. And something else makes me curious. The veterinary Assistant named in this order. Who is he supposed to treat amongst the patients referred by the VIPs. All in all,” Lone said.
“A humble request to the director. Please withdraw this order. This is an affront to medical science. Stop humiliating the science of medicine and the noble profession,” he said.
“Having suffered the calamity of the nepotism, corruption & mayhem of its ruling class, Medical Institute Srinagar now has a formal team to cater to VIP patients from @OfficeOfLGJandK , CM & Chief Secy J&K for “hustle free treatment at SKIMS”. Instead of augmenting capacity for all ordinary Kashmiri patients this directive ensures those connected are served over the dispensable cattle class. Shame of a shame!,” wrote political analyst Javed Iqbal Shah, on X.
