KL Report
SRINAGAR
While reviewing the functioning of health institutions in Kashmir, the minister of state for health, Shabir Ahmad Khan has directed concerned authorities to ensure quality supply of medicines to the Health institutions and every effort should be made to ensure that quality medicines after proper verification of quality.
“Government will ensure supply of drugs to the hospitals after their complete testing at the designated laboratories and the drug testing laboratories at Srinagar and Jammu are being upgraded and steps are afoot to make them fully equipped”, the minister has said.
In order to ensure transparency in the procurement of quality drugs, the Minister has said that Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation (JKMSC) is being setup in the state. By doing so all the medicines and other necessary items would be purchased by this authority for supply to the Health Institutions.
Meanwhile the minister has today ordered for the attachment of Chief Medical officer, Leh with the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir with immediate effect.
“While taking serious note of frequent absences of the concerned CMO even after repeated communications from the government for not attending various review meetings, therefore, the Minister directed for action against the officer”, reads a statement.
It further reads that in absence of head of the district caused great concern in discussing the overall health scenario of this hilly and sensitive district. Meanwhile, the Minister directed for seeking explanations from Chief Medical Officer, Kargil and Medical superintendent SNN hospital, Leh for the lapses.
Minister of State for Science & Technology, Feroz Ahmed Khan was also present in the meeting.
The Health Minister underscored the need for bringing more reforms in the health services to infuse efficiency, transparency and above all a qualitative change in the patient care at the primary and secondary health institutions in the state. He has called upon the functionaries to take all necessary steps to improve basic services at the grass root level to provide quality healthcare to the people. He has stressed the need for ensuring accountability at different hierarchy for achieving the desired results.
While maintaining that the health care is the top most priority of the government and any kind of negligence in this regard is not desirable, the minster has said that whosoever was found lacking in his performance will be dealt sternly. He has called upon the medicos and para-medicos to remain punctual to their duties and provide best services to the patients.
The Minister has said upgradation of health infrastructure has already been initiated by the Government, especially in rural areas for improving the overall health scenario for this purpose there was no paucity of funds. He directed the Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents to keep close vigil on the ongoing projects for their time bound completion, besides ensuring regular inspections of the hospitals for maintaining the work culture and efficiency of the institutions.
