Over recent months there have been opinions expressed, through the media, attempting to tarnish the image of various senior physicians who have served at the Institute. It is so easy to move away from the turbulence and have the wisdom of hindsight to say what could have been done or should have been done.
My tenure at the Institute was a brief period of five years (1984-9) and I have nothing but praise for the commitment and dedication of the staff with whom I have had the honour to work with. Among the faculty these selfless people include Dr Makroo (Haematology and Blood bank), Dr Mattoo (Haematology), Dr Pandita (Biochemistry), Dr Masood ( Neonatology), Dr Ali Nadroo, and  Dr Bashir Wani Among the senior faculty I have had the pleasure to work with Dr Shafi, late Dr Guru and Dr GM Khan. While Drs Khuroo, Mehrajudin and Jalaludin have had the opportunity to work in administrative capacity also, no one can deny their level of clinical commitment and dedication.
During the brief period of 1989 when the civil disturbances started, I know how hard it was to keep the departments running and I have nothing but deep respect for the faculty who have continued to work under extreme adverse conditions.
What does anyone living outside Kashmir know what is it like to ventilate a sick patient when the oxygen supplies run low, when there is electricity failure and when there is no water and worse of all when you run out of essential medications. I nearly got shot twice in my car trying to make it to the Institute. Regarding the nursing, technical and administrative staff at the Institute, I am humbled by their dedication and commitment. I remember how the technicians in the Neonatology Unit looked after the babies while no parent was allowed to stay in the Unit. I thank all my colleagues at that time who worked day and night to save my wife after we lost the baby. It was an extremely difficult time for me and my family and it taught me compassion, empathy and re-enforced my belief that as a nation we are good people and let no one tell us otherwise.

Professor Nisar A Mir
Formerly Professor  & Head Neonatology SKIMS

Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST