Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today reviewed the functioning of the J&K State Para-medical Council (SPMC) at a meeting held here today.Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal GMC, Jammu, Dr. Sunanda Raina (President, SPMC), Principal GMC, Srinagar, Dr. Samia Rashid (Vice President SPMC), Principals Government Dental Colleges, Jammu/Srinagar, Dr. Romesh Singh, Dr. Ryaz Farooq (both Members), Registrar SPMC, Dr. Sandeep Singh, Controller of Examination, SPMC, Jammu, Dr. A.S. Bhatia, Controller Examination, SPMC, Kashmir, Dr. A.R. Badoo, Principals AMT Schools, Jammu/Srinagar (Members), Additional Secretary Medical Education, Naseer Ahmed Wani and representatives of Directors Health Services, Kashmir/Jammu and NHM attended the meeting.
A detailed discussion was held on the overall functioning of the State Para-medical Council and several important issues figured in the meeting. The issues which were prominently discussed included, incorporation of uniform syllabus for the courses of FMPHW/MMPHW/GNM, decision of Supreme Court of India regarding stripping powers of Indian Nursing Council for granting recognition to Nursing Colleges, online registration of Diploma/Degrees of various paramedical streams, dual Council Registration by different paramedical institutions, revision of application fee for establishment of new paramedical institutions, hospital training of students in Govt hospitals, viability of starting new courses, admission criteria etc. The progress on the implementation of decisions taken in the previous meetings was also reviewed.
Expressing satisfaction on the overall performance of the SPMC, the Minister called upon all the office bearers to put in their best efforts to further improve the functioning of this important form which is responsible for producing the quality manpower for government and private health institutions. He said there should not be any compromise with the quality of education as today’s students will be asset of future and there should be proper monitoring by the concerned authorities to ensure quality of education in all the para-medical institutions across the State whether these are government or private ones. He said health is the paramount concern of the Government and all out efforts shall be made to improve the infrastructural facilities to ensure quality of medical education in the State.
Stressing the need for strict implementation of Paramedical Council Act in all the institutions, the Minister said that the Council authority must ensure proper infrastructure like laboratory, library, faculty, accommodation, equipment and other necessary facilities for the smooth functioning of the institutions. He called for undertaking frequent surprise inspections in the institutions to ensure strict adherence of norms of the Council. He also directed for ensuring a universal pattern of fee being charged by the private institutions for different courses to safeguard the interests of the students, adding that strict action should be initiated, including de-recognition of such institutions who violate the norms.The Minister also called for timely conduct of examinations and reforming the admission process. He directed for fixing an academic calendar for admission in both the divisions. He also directed the Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education to arrange adequate funding for improving the infrastructural facilities in government run para-medical institutions across the State. He also directed for arranging permanent accommodation for establishing the Council offices in Kashmir and Jammu in view of increased work load. The meeting also approved various proposals of the Council which were put before it with regard to the overall improvement in its functioning.
Dr. Sandeep Singh, Registrar, J&K SPMC gave detailed briefing on the functioning of the Council and various initiatives taken to further improving and bringing transparency in the overall functioning and quality of education in the institutions.The Members also shared their valuable inputs with regard to the functioning, improving quality of education and viability of some new courses in the field of para-medical which could be useful in future.Meanwhile, the Minister also convened a separate meeting of officers to review the functioning of J&K State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKSMSCL) in his office chamber.Besides Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, the meeting was attended by both Principals of GMCs, Kashmir and Jammu, Managing Director, JKSMSCL, Inderjeet Bhagat, Medical Superintendents of GMC, SMGS and representatives of Director Health Jammu and Mission Director, NHM.
The Minister reviewed the process of procurement, availability of drugs and equipment by the Corporation and their further supply to various health institutions across the State. He called upon all heads of institutions and MD, JKSMSCL to adopt a pro-active and coordinated approach to fill the gaps, if any to ensure adequate and timely supply of medicines. He urged upon the heads of institutions to put in their timely requirement with the Corporation enabling it to ensure the procurement and completing all requisite formalities and supplying in time bound manner so that the institutions do not suffer.With regard to the paucity of staff in the Corporation which is hampering its efficiency, the Minister directed both the Principals to depute adequate trained staff with the Corporation at the earliest to speed up the process of procurement and supply of medicines and equipment. He said Medical Corporation has the sole mandate to ensure all kinds of medicines and equipments to the Government run hospitals in the State and all heads of institutions must ensure proper coordination to adapt with the new system.