Srinagar, October 18, 2025 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday inaugurated the two-day National Conference on Patient Safety at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), emphasising the seamless integration of patient care with patient safety to fortify healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir. Organized by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, under the theme “Every Error a Lesson, Every Lesson a Safer Care,” the event drew faculty members, senior doctors, researchers, scholars, and delegates from across the country, fostering dialogues on elevating healthcare standards and accountability in medical institutions.In his keynote address, CM Omar Abdullah urged the healthcare fraternity to translate academic discussions into actionable steps that can be implemented in both premier facilities like SKIMS and smaller district hospitals.
“Quality healthcare is incomplete without ensuring patient safety. Through this conference, I hope actionable points emerge which the government can adopt, making patient safety as much a focus as patient care,” the Chief Minister stated, highlighting the need for transparent, accountable systems and the adoption of global best practices to build trust in J&K’s robust healthcare network, which spans tertiary centers, medical colleges, district hospitals, and primary health centers.Omar Abdullah commended SKIMS for championing a culture of safety and accountability, recognizing it as a visionary legacy of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. He released the Souvenir of NCPS-2025 and the Annual Appraisal Report 2024–25 of SKIMS during the ceremony, underscoring the institute’s pivotal role in advancing medical excellence. The conference, attended by several MLAs, former SKIMS directors, Director SKICC Haris Ahmad Handoo, administrative officers, and senior faculty, promises to yield recommendations for government adoption, aiming to minimise errors and enhance outcomes in patient management.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo praised SKIMS as a premier institution and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering health infrastructure with modern equipment and facilities. “We must remain eternally grateful to Sher-i-Kashmir for establishing SKIMS. Under CM Omar Abdullah, we are dedicated to ensuring residents receive world-class treatment within J&K, without needing to travel elsewhere,” she said, stressing behavioral changes among doctors and public awareness to strengthen doctor-patient relationships based on trust.
The event, set against a backdrop of wooden-paneled halls and formal conference tables adorned with nameplates and water glasses, featured delegates in suits, vests, and traditional caps engaged in focused deliberations. As J&K advances its healthcare agenda, NCPS-2025 stands as a milestone in promoting safer care and systemic reforms, ensuring every lesson from errors paves the way for healthier futures.
