Government's cost slash discriminatory, must include SKIMS in their policy: JKCSF

Srinagar, Nov 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Saturday expressed concern over what it called the discriminatory implementation of the J-K government's decision to slash medical tests costs while excluding SKIMS from the policy.

Although the initiative is welcoming, exclusion of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) which is the only institution providing PET scan facilities is disturbing, JKCSF said.

"This exclusion undermines the very purpose of the policy, reducing it to a mere mockery," an official handout from JKCSF said.

Ensuring affordable and quality healthcare is imperative, and all institutions—public and private—must be brought under the ambit of patient-friendly policies. This will not only ensure equitable access to essential diagnostic services but also alleviate the financial burden on the common populace, the handout read.

It said, the reports highlighting the failure of local representatives to contribute to the PET scan facilities has dismayed the forum.

"This is a stark reminder of the lack of collective responsibility from those who should be at the forefront of improving public health infrastructure," read the handout.

The forum said it has hopes on the Omar-led government to address these pressing issues and revive the healthcare system comprehensively.

It urged the government to include SKIMS in the rebate policy without delay while also expanding the scope of rebates to private diagnostic labs to ensure wider accessibility.

It also urged to encourage local contributions from all sectors, including political representatives, to strengthen public health services.