Srinagar, September 8, 2025: Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, emphasized the revival of traditional practices such as preparing home-cooked meals in a well-set-up kitchen—describing it as not only a hub of social discourse but also a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. He was speaking at an awareness programme on “Endometriosis: A Healthcare Crisis” organized by the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at SKIMS Auditorium.
Prof. Ashraf said that as the Valley’s premier health institution, SKIMS carries a greater responsibility toward public health and must guide the community with scientifically-backed knowledge and practices through outreach programs and new initiatives. He announced that SKIMS will soon launch Evening Speciality Clinics dedicated to such diseases, aimed at providing focused treatment, advancing research, and developing updated treatment protocols.
Highlighting successful initiatives, he cited the PCOS Clinic at SKIMS, which addresses non-communicable diseases affecting millions of women nationwide. Congratulating the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology for organizing the awareness programme, Prof. Ganie called Endometriosis a “benign malignancy” with devastating impact on women’s health, and stressed the role of schools, colleges, and teachers in spreading awareness.
Dean Medical Faculty, Prof. G.M. Gulzar, underscored the importance of advocacy and research for effective management of this often invisible condition.
Principal SKIMS Medical College, Prof. Fazal Q. Parray, urged greater government funding for benign and non-communicable diseases, which he termed “more devastating than malignancies.” He further emphasized that women’s health, as the cornerstone of society, deserves heightened focus and investment.
Prof. Yasmeen Farooq, Principal, Government College for Women, attended the programme as a special guest and thanked the organising committee for the invitation. She advocated for holding more such awareness programmes in colleges, highlighting the critical role of educators in sensitizing young women. She further emphasized that women’s health, her pain, and her needs must not be brushed under the carpet, urging that greater priority be accorded to women’s healthcare.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Prof. Farooq A. Jan, reiterated that awareness initiatives are a continuous process at SKIMS, reaching communities and educating the masses through impactful programmes.
Organising Chairman & HOD Obstetrics & Gynaecology SKIMS, Prof. Cimona Lyn Saldanha, in her welcome address, highlighted that while Endometriosis cannot be fully prevented, it can be effectively managed through lifestyle modifications. She stressed the importance of vigorous awareness campaigns at the grassroots level, particularly focusing on diet, stress management, and lifestyle choices—key factors in preventing endocrine disruption and improving women’s health outcomes. She also lauded the SKIMS administration and Director for their unwavering support and vision in steering SKIMS toward new directions in healthcare.
During the programme, comprehensive lectures were delivered by experts, highlighting the multifaceted impact of Endometriosis on women’s health. Prof. Abdul Majid elaborated on the psychological aspects of the condition, stressing its emotional and mental health implications. Dr. Nadia Khurshid, Consultant, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SKIMS, presented an insightful talk titled “Endometriosis: The Silent Struggle.” She outlined the symptoms, challenges in diagnosis, and effective treatment protocols, while underscoring the role of active lifestyle, diet, and exercise in managing the disease whileas Dr. Mudassir Hamid highlighted the Radiological aspects of the Endometriosis.
The programme was attended by senior faculty, heads of departments, resident doctors, and students from various colleges across the region.
