Kashmir Skill & Simulation Centre

Acting on the recommendations of the Gap Analysis Committee, it was felt that establishment of a modern simulation based training centre would be a prerequisite for the planned interventions. After deliberations the space available at RIHFW was identified for establishment of this facility. To achieve these ends procurements of high end simulators was effected to enhance the skills and competencies of health personnel (doctors, paramedics and other supportive staff) by formulating and conducting training programs including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Emergency Room Trauma Course (ERTC), Skilled birth attendant (SBA) Emergency Room Skill Course (ERSC) and other trainings based on modern simulation methodology. It is worthwhile to mention here that Kashmir skill and simulation centre (KSSC) is the first of its kind training institute in the country in public sector.

The Department has evolved the organizational structure of Academic Committee that was set up which has ever since been involved in conducting Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes, skill development & capacity building workshops at Divisional & District levels.

Aiming at reaching out to the community, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has recently launched a Basic Life Support (BLS) pilot project wherein 500 Block level master trainers will be trained who will impart BLS training to various stakeholders of other government departments, Non -Governmental Organizations and general public. By doing so, the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir is pioneering the effort of imparting BLS training to whole community which will be a huge advantage in managing pre-hospital emergencies, road traffic accidents and trauma. Besides, master trainers for Basic Life Support of the Kashmir Skills and Simulation Center have been imparting BLS in various schools, colleges, media organizations and have also imparted training to Srinagar International Airport staff of all airlines.

The Directorate collaborated with various International Organizations like International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), American Heart Association (AHA), Royal College of Psychiatry, London and various others organization so to impart training programmes for up gradation of skills of health personnel working under DHSK.

All the trainings conducted on various mannequins and simulators are being continuously monitored and regular feedback from the trainees is being analyzed. In addition, impact assessment studies are being regularly conducted in the institutions where the trained staff is deployed. Considering the feedback, this institution and the skill based interventions are providing huge dividends to the department which can seen in terms of pre-hospital care, management of trauma during the golden hour and shifting of critical patients to higher institutions as per EMS protocols.

During the unrest of 2016, 83% on the total injured patients that were received at peripheral health institutions were managed by the peripheral/rural health institutions of the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir while as only 13% were referred to tertiary care hospitals for which the Department of Health was awarded on the occasion of Republic Day 2017. Pertinently, the referral rate during similar situation in 2010 was around 40%. This initiative of having a high end simulation center is now being emulated by other states which will improve the healthcare delivery system in those states

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