SKIMS partners with Medtronic to Open Up New Surgical Skills Lab in Srinagar

India Medtronic Pvt. Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic Plc., which has operations in 150 countries, manufacturing various medical products, including but limited to cardiac devices, cranial and spine robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems. Its partnership with SKIMS is a welcome move as it will improve the infrastructure at the institute, which happens to be the largest medical institute under State Legislature Act in Indian Administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The lab was e-inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Secretary UT, J&K, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS) in the presence of Director SKIMS/EOSG, Dr. A.G Ahangar, Prashant Krishnan, Sr. Director, Surgical and ENT Therapies, Medtronic India and other key dignitaries. Expanding on its commitment to address capacity and awareness barriers, the Surgical Skill Lab will help in the training and development of young surgeons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar is one of the leading Institutions in the Country in providing healthcare to the people of J&K and Ladakh. Being the largest Deemed Medical University it is continuously striving to set and maintain high standards in imparting Medical Education with highest number of Scholars/Students from across the County for undergoing their training at Postdoctoral, Postgraduate, Doctoral and Undergraduate levels. In order to enhance the surgical skills of Surgeons, this State-of-the-Art Skill Development Training Centre has been established with an aim of imparting Life Support Training and Teaching to Undergraduates, Postgraduates, Post Doctoral Students, Fellows and Faculty Members. The Centre will focus on courses like Basic & Advanced Surgical Skill Courses, Basic and Advanced Laparoscopic Skill Courses, Microscopic Suturing Endoscopic Training etc. I am highly thankful to Medtronic India for partnering in setting up the Skill Lab and their constant support and services they have been providing through this collaboration," Director SKIMS/EOSG, Dr. A.G Ahangar, proudly announced, quotes India Education Diary

Meanwhile, Prashant Krishnan, senior director, Surgical & ENT Therapies, Medtronic India had the following to say about the partnership, "The surgical skills lab will enhance patient safety by providing a simulated environment where students can learn and advance their technical skills before performing procedures on a patient. Together with a premier institute like SKIMS, we aim to drive Skill India and take healthcare in J&K further, together."

The comprehensive surgical skills lab will feature endotrainers, laparoscopic suturing stations, airway management systems to help budding surgeons deepen their expertise in the surgical field. The skills lab aims to improve the skills of budding surgeons and provide an overall appreciation and understanding of minimally invasive surgery which in turn helps reduce burden on healthcare infrastructure with improved patient outcomes, reduced hospital stay, overall reduction in cost of hospitalization and faster recovery.