PRESS RELEASE

Director SKIMS Visits Skill Development Centre, Stresses Life Saving Skills for All Employees, Unveils Plans for Simulation Lab at SDC



Srinagar, May 3, 2025:
Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government, visited the Skill Development Centre (SDC) SKIMS today to inspect the ongoing Basic Life Support (BLS) training being imparted to healthcare professionals. The training sessions envisages critical components such as high-quality chest compressions, the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and the immediate management of choking incidents.

The Director commended the efforts of the faculty members for delivering structured and impactful BLS and other comprehensive Cardiac Life Support courses. He noted that the simulation-based, hands-on approach adopted by the centre boosts the confidence and capability of participants to respond effectively in high-pressure emergency situations.

Recognizing the importance of widespread emergency preparedness, Prof. Ganie directed the Faculty In-Charge of the SDC to ensure that all employees of SKIMS undergo such life-saving training. “Equipping every employee with basic life support skills will not only enhance in-hospital response but also enable staff to act as first responders in emergency settings,” he emphasized.

He further stated that such training programmes are vital in equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to respond to cardiac arrests and other life-threatening situations, both within hospital premises and in public settings. “With this initiative, SKIMS aims to build a culture of readiness and responsiveness that extends beyond the walls of the hospital,” he added.

Since its inception, the Skill Development Centre has trained over 650 postgraduate students, residents, paramedics, and nursing students in life-saving protocols. The Director underscored that BLS training is essential for all healthcare workers and increasingly relevant for the general public as well, reaffirming SKIMS’ commitment to public health and safety.

Prof. Ganie also directed concerned departments to upgrade the infrastructure of the Skill Development Centre. Plans are underway to establish a state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory and introduce advanced training modules including Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) in the near future, he added.

This visit marks a pivotal step in SKIMS’ ongoing mission to strengthen emergency response capabilities and institutional resilience through structured training and skill development.

Issued Through PR Office SKIMS