Bali reviews supply position of medicines in tertiary healthcare institutions

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 8 - Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today reviewed the availability of medicines and other important diagnostic articles and equipment in the Government Medical College Hospital, Srinagar and all its associated hospitals at a high-level meeting held in his office chamber here.

Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal GMC, Dr. Samia Rashid, Managing Director, J&K State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd , Inderjeet Bhagat, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman and Medical Superintendents of all the Associated Hospitals were present in the meeting.

While taking a detailed review of supply position of medicines and other essential life saving material in these tertiary care health institutions, the Minister called upon all concerned to ensure close synergy with the Administrative Department and J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd (JKMSCL) to meet any kind of emergency. He said patient care is the paramount importance of the Government and any laxity on the part of any institution or individual shall not be tolerated. He said the Government has already devised a well-knit mechanism to procure the medicines, diagnostic gadgets and other day-to-day material for patient care for all the institutions through JKMSCL, whose sole objective is to meet all the requirements of health institutions across the State. Moreover, the Government has also authorized to each health institution to purchase emergency drugs and other necessary material out of the allocated 25% funds in the annual budget.

Referring to various decisions taken in previous meetings regarding timely procurement of medicines, the Minister said that Government has already notified that 75% of the annual budget meant for purchase of medicines shall be transferred by each institution to the JKMSCL, who will ensure adequate and timely supply to them as per their requirement. He directed the concerned to put in their timely requisitions so that the Corporation takes timely steps in procuring and supplying the requisite material. He called upon the heads of institutions and MD, JKMSCL to meet periodically to hammer out their internal issues whatsoever to avoid any untoward situation with regard to supply of medicines and other related material.

The Principal, GMC and Medical Superintendents highlighted some technicalities relating to shortages of some materials like fluid and cotton, which were sorted out in the meeting.