SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura on Monday warned against misleading appeals, saying that the institute has a well-established Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Department.
Public Relations Officer SKIMS has issued a public notice and stated that some organizations collect donations in the name of patients to be treated outside Jammu and Kashmir for various heart diseases like VSD and other cardiac procedures, having referrals from SKIMS.
“The general public is made aware that these procedures are regularly done in the Department of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) SKIMS. In case any patient needs referral letter, it is given after thorough consultation by the concerned department,” the PRO said. The premier institute has said that it has a well-established Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Department which conducts these cardiac procedures regularly. “Any organization helping poor patients can coordinate with the Department of CVTS SKIMS for these procedures rather than sending them outside,” SKIMS said.
The PRO said sending these patients outside J&K for treatment after collecting donations sets the wrong precedence and undermines public health institutions.
The SKIMS officials also stated that the Department of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery has witnessed tremendous change over the years. The mortality rate has also declined thus improving the patient care services.
Last year, officials of the Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura Srinagar had warned the public against scammers, who use the institute’s patient records to raise money.
In a statement, officials had clarified ,that a small number of scammers reportedly use patient reports of CT scans, PET scans, and the like produced by several SKIMS departments as a means of raising money for patients. “These reports in no way imply SKIMS’ support for a fund-raising effort. Every certificate that SKIMS issues attesting to a patient’s financial obligations for his or her investigations or treatment is always countersigned by the Director of SKIMS and signed by the head of the corresponding department, it was stated.
The Institute recommended that the general public be aware that SKIMS is not accountable for any fund-raising efforts, whether they are sincere or not.