World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Director SKIMS inaugurates Medical Social Welfare Cell

Srinagar, Oct 12: Director SKIMS and EOSG Prof M Ashraf Ganie on Sunday inaugurated and dedicated the Medical Social Welfare Cell, SKIMS, aimed at streamlining and coordinating financial assistance for poor and underprivileged patients under various government health schemes.

A statement of the SKMIS issued here said that the inauguration was held on the occasion of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, celebrated by the Department of Radiation Oncology, SKIMS, which also organised a day-long CME on palliative care to highlight the importance of compassionate and comprehensive care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofar Khan, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Prof Ashraf Ganie was accompanied by Dr G K Rath, a renowned oncologist who has held several key positions in India’s oncology landscape and has served as the Head of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar, and is widely recognised for his pioneering contributions to cancer care, research, and radiotherapy development in India.

Prof G M Gulzar, Dean, Medical SKIMS,  Prof Fazal Q Parray, Principal SKIMS Medical College, Convenor Social Medical Welfare Cell SKIMS, Prof Sunaullah Shah, Prof Maqbool, former HOD Radiation Oncology SKIMS; Prof Haroon Rashid, Nodal Officer Ayushman Bharat; and other dignitaries and guests were present on the occasion.

Constituted under the directions of the Director SKIMS, the Medical Social Welfare Cell will serve as an umbrella centre to guide and assist economically weaker patients in availing financial support for the treatment of various diseases.

The cell will ensure hassle-free and transparent facilitation for patients seeking help through different government-sponsored schemes and collaborations with NGOs.

SKIMS is empanelled under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, which provides financial assistance to poor patients for life-threatening illnesses.

In addition, SKIMS also extends support through other government and NGO-based financial schemes, ensuring that no patient is denied treatment for want of resources.

Prof Ashraf, in his remarks, emphasised that the initiative aligns with SKIMS’s commitment to inclusive and compassionate healthcare, reinforcing its mission to provide equitable medical support to all sections of society.