AIIMS Jammu inauguration any time after February 18: Director

Jammu, Feb 2: AIIMS Jammu Director Prof (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta Friday stated that the premier institution was likely to be inaugurated any time after February 18 and they (authorities) were also keen to make it functional before the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The upcoming prestigious health-care institution along with other important mega infrastructure, development projects will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, as per official sources, is likely to visit J&K either during the second fortnight of February or the first fortnight of March.

“We are making preparations for that and AIIMS Jammu will very soon be commissioned. We too are keen to make it functional before the imposition of MCC. If it does not get commissioned before MCC imposition then we will have to wait for another six months. We ardently want to provide the people of not only J&K, but the parts of Punjab, Himachal and Ladakh as well quality and modern health-care facilities at the earliest possible,” Dr Gupta said, while addressing a press conference.

“We are anticipating around 3000-4000 patients daily once it gets commissioned. So, we’re gearing up for that and I must say this would provide great relief to the overcrowded Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu as well,” he said.

Director AIIMS Jammu informed that initially, Out Patient Department (OPD) and diagnostic facilities would be provided. “We have imported certain equipment out of which some advanced equipment have already been procured and installed while few high-tech machines are on the way. Like in January, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (scanner) has already been installed. We are going to get two CT scans very soon. By February 15, one of them will be installed. Within six months, our AIIMs will be smoothly functioning,” he said.

“Immediately (following commissioning) we will not admit emergency patients as for that there should be fully functional Operation Theatres (OTs), Blood Transfusion Centres and nursing (faculty). As on today we have 500 nurses (recruited from across the country), who have undergone 6-month training from AIIMS Delhi. They have expertise to handle all kinds of cases. As far as faculty is concerned, we have 85 faculty members from different specialties from 17 states and Union Territories (UTs) against 187 sanctioned posts of doctors. Our recruitment process is also underway; soon interviews will be conducted to fulfill vacancies,” he stated.

In response to a query related to special arrangements to provide succour to far-off districts, deficit in health-care facilities, Dr Gupta said that there was a provision of helipad near the Emergency to provide immediate treatment to the patients evacuated (airlifted) from difficult districts or anywhere.

“Secondly, we are going to start 24X7 tele-medicine consultancy services also to provide opinions, as and when needed, to the doctors in the district hospitals, which will not have senior or specialist doctors. Besides, providing initial guidance in the treatment of critical patients or otherwise, we will also accept referrals in such cases on priority. In another initiative, our focus is on strengthening community health centre services in adjoining areas where doctors, specialists do visit. We have written a letter to the government that we want to adopt a community health centre. We will fully develop that centre and doctors, resident doctors, students and nurses will be posted there for three months,” he said.

Director AIIMS said that this would be one of the significant ways (by AIIMS Jammu) to reach out to the doorsteps of common people. That would be in-sync with the tele-medicine facility. He informed that all district hospitals could be in touch with AIIMS Jammu through tele-medicine facility for consultations.

“Another important 24X7 facility i.e., Poison Information and Management System will be established at AIIMS Jammu for people across J&K and even outside. Proposal has been approved and the facility will be functional immediately after commissioning. Besides, we have 40 trauma-beds dedicated for emergency cases of any kind, including accidents, bullet, blast or mine injury cases,” he said.

“Keeping in view these exigencies in J&K, we want to develop a Centre for Excellence in Trauma Sciences. For this purpose, we have sent an MoU for approval to the concerned ministry and for it, we have selected one of the best Centres in Israel – Sheba Medical Centre. It is one of the top hospitals in the world. There will be a faculty-exchange programme between the two institutes. Our doctors and nurses will go there for training and their faculty will also come here for imparting training to our doctors and nurses,” AIIMS Director informed.

AIIMS Jammu was founded as part of the development package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, to address regional healthcare imbalances and uplift medical education standards. The foundation stone for AIIMS Jammu at Vijaypur (in Samba district) was laid by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019.

Director Gupta stated that AIIMS Jammu, sprawling across 226.84 acres, featured one of India's largest and most picturesque campuses along National Highway 44.

The North Campus includes the “Ayush Block,” a convention centre, an academic building, and a Nursing College. The South Campus comprises multi-storeyed staff housing, sports facilities, and connectivity through underpasses.

The comprehensive offerings include services for cancer, cardiac, neurological conditions, and various specialties like Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, and more. Patient-centric features like Patient Assistant services, Indoor Navigation System, Patient Care Managers, and Smart Payment Cards.