SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed here today announced conversion of Kashmir Nursing Home to a full-fledged cancer hospital, where medical and surgical treatment is already being provided by trained oncologists.
The hospital would continue to be associated with Government Medical College, Srinagar, an official spokesperson said today.
The chief minister made the announcement after visiting Kashmir Nursing Home where he interacted with cancer patients, they added.
During his visit to healthcare institutions in the city, Sayeed inaugurated wards and attendant ‘sarais’ (lodges) at SKIMS Soura and launched construction of two additional floors at the 550-bedded upcoming Maternity and Paediatric Hospital at Bemina, being built at a cost of Rs 75 crore.
Construction of two additional floors will reduce pressure on Lal Ded and G B Panth Hospitals, he said.
The Chief Minister recalled his stint as Minister for Urban Development in Syed Mir Qasim’s Cabinet in 1973, when he announced transfer of land for setting up of SKIMS, which was otherwise earmarked for rehabilitation of dislocated persons of Nallahmar Project.
“I had crossed my limits as the Cabinet was yet to approve the transfer of land. However, the magnanimous Chief Minister ignored my ‘lapse’,” Sayeed said.
At SKIMS, he inaugurated the new state-of-the-art ICUs, established at a cost of Rs 6.47 crore. Also the bed capacity of the ICUs have been enhanced from 12 to 38.
He also inaugurated the new colorectal, haemodialysis and medical oncology and renal treatment wards and also the expanded casualty wards where 50 extra beds have been added.
The chief minister also instructed SKIMS Director Dr
Showkat Zargar to increase the frequency of renal transplant surgeries at the institute so that the critically-ill and poor patients are spared the agony of endless wait, which compels them to seek expensive treatment outside the state.
“I am happy the Union government has sanctioned a Cancer Centre for SKIMS at a cost of Rs 120 crore, which after its completion, will provide much-needed succour to thousands of patients suffering from cancer which has assumed epidemic proportions in the state,” he said.
Sayeed also tasked the Roads and Buildings Department to complete the first phase of the project by next year. (PTI)
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