Patient/Attendant Sarai at SKIMS: A Boon for Residents of Far-Flung Areas

Credit By: KULSOOM BHAT

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24 Apr 2026

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

At SKIMS, patient care extends far beyond clinical treatment. It is inclusive, compassionate, and deeply humane. The Patient/Attendant Sarai stands as a living embodiment of this philosophy, offering not just shelter but dignity, comfort, and hope to those who need it the most.

My recent visit to the Sarai was deeply moving. As I walked through its corridors, I saw critically ill patients resting quietly in clean, well-maintained rooms. Their battles with life-threatening illnesses were evident, yet the environment around them felt calm and reassuring—as if gently reminding them that life, despite its fragility, continues with hope.

The facility is remarkably well-managed. Cleanliness, order, and a sense of care are visible in every corner. The staff, stationed round-the-clock, deserve immense appreciation for their dedication. Their silent service ensures that patients and attendants, already burdened by illness, find a space of relief and stability.

What stayed with me most was a moment I will carry forever.

I met a young girl from Bandipora who had undergone a transplant in the Department of Haematology. Advised to stay nearby for observation, she lay on a clean bed, studying. A second-year student, fragile in body but fierce in spirit. Her voice was full of determination, her eyes alive with dreams. Despite everything she had endured, she chose to continue her journey of learning. To me, she was nothing short of a little lioness—quietly shaping her future within the walls of the Sarai.

In the adjacent room lay an elderly man from Poonch, breathing with the support of an oxygen concentrator. His frailty was a stark reminder of life’s vulnerability. Yet, his family spoke with gratitude. Away from home, they had found comfort, care, and reassurance within these walls.

This is what the SKIMS Sarai truly represents.

It is not merely a residential facility; it is a space where countless stories of struggle, resilience, and hope unfold every day.

A serene Prayer Room within the facility adds a deeply spiritual dimension to healing. It offers patients and attendants a quiet space to connect with God, to find inner strength, and to nurture the belief that every wound—no matter how deep—can be healed through faith, patience, and determination. In moments of uncertainty, this space becomes a source of profound comfort.

Being the only hospital in the region with such a facility, SKIMS has set a benchmark in patient-centred care. For patients coming from distant areas, who would otherwise struggle with expensive accommodations, the Sarai offers a dignified alternative at nominal charges.

Equipped with essential amenities, clean dormitories, designated washrooms, filtered drinking water, lift access, a functional canteen, and even a serene garden shaded by a majestic chinar tree, it provides both physical comfort and emotional solace.

The added support of free to-and-fro auto services, facilitated by the Athrout Foundation, further eases the burden on patients and their families. This initiative reflects a visionary approach—one that understands that healing is not limited to hospital wards but extends to the spaces where patients rest, recover, and gather strength.

Under the inspiring leadership of Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, SKIMS continues to stand as a beacon of hope for millions.

SKIMS Sarai is not just a facility; it is humanity in action.

Long live SKIMS.

(The Author is Assistant Director, PR)