JAMMU, FEBRUARY 26: Sakeena Itoo, the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, chaired a crucial meeting today at the Civil Secretariat to assess the performance and functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited .
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed; Managing Director of JKMSCL; Principals of all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs); Principals of Dental Colleges; Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of all districts, and other relevant officers, either in person or virtually.
Addressing the participants, Minister Itoo highlighted the importance of strengthening the monitoring system for medical supplies to improve healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. She emphasised the need for enhanced transparency and efficiency in the distribution of medicines to patients in all district and sub-district hospitals as well as health centers.
Minister Itoo urged the Principals of all GMCs to ensure proper documentation of medicines distributed to patients and keep a detailed record of medicines prescribed but unavailable in their stocks.
She also stressed the significance of maintaining high-quality standards in medical supplies, as well as the machinery and equipment procured by JKMSCL. Acknowledging the pivotal role of JKMSCL in upgrading the healthcare infrastructure across the region, the Minister encouraged the management to develop a more responsive and efficient system to meet the growing medical needs of the local population.
During the meeting, Itoo reviewed the status of machinery procurement and the delivery of high-end equipment for various healthcare facilities in J&K. She called for reducing delays in procurement and adopting an enhanced framework for the timely delivery of machinery and equipment, particularly in rural and remote areas. She further directed the JKMSCL management to expedite pending procurement processes and ensure that medical supplies reach all areas promptly.
In her review of the Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal, Minister Itoo emphasized the need for physical monitoring of drugs being distributed to health facilities. She instructed the management to form teams for conducting surprise inspections of drug deliveries. Additionally, she asked the JKMSCL management to take strict action against officers who have not yet onboarded onto the DVDMS portal.
The meeting concluded with a detailed presentation by the Managing Director of JKMSCL, who provided an overview of the corporation’s procurement mechanisms, supply chain management, availability of medicines, and its financial status.