The government is contemplating a new mechanism to check pilferage of medicines from the government health institutions.This was announced at the introductory meeting of the officers of Health and Medical Education Department chaired by the Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat here today. The Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Ms Asiea Naqash was also present in the meeting.The meeting was informed that a specific color strip would be embossed on all the medicines supplied to the government health institutions to differentiate the same from the similar medicines available in the market.The Minister called upon the medical fraternity to set new benchmarks to improve the quality of healthcare in the health institutions across the state so that a visible impact is created on the ground.
He stressed the need for ensuring complete transparency, accountability at all levels. He directed the concerned to focus on the welfare of the patients by creating neat and clean environment in the hospitals.The Minister issued special instructions to start a cleanliness drive, under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, in all the health institutions across the state from 10 April to 17 April 2016 to ensure complete sanitation in and around the hospital premises.Bali also called for upgrading the medical facilities at GMCs and associated hospitals. He also instructed the Executive Engineer Mechanical Wing GMC Jammu to undertake all the essential works and stop leakage of bathrooms particularly in Ward No 9 and 11.The Minister also enquired about the supply position and shortfall of the medicines in the hospital and instructed the Principal GMC Jammu to ensure all the medicines are available in the hospital. He said that people of the state have pinned their hopes on the present government and it is imperative for the government to provide better facilities particularly in the health sector.Bali also reviewed the physical and financial achievements of ongoing works in the health sector.
Underscoring the importance of various programmes aimed to bring a healthy change in living condition of people and provide better healthcare facilities to the poor and needy, Bali highlighted the role of medicos in the implementation and monitoring of the schemes. He asked them to make every effort to ensure that benefits reach to the target population. He also directed the GMC Jammu administration to upgrade facilities for attendants and identify a particular place for their sitting in the hospital premises. He further instructed the administration to introduce a separate uniform for trolley attendants.Secretary Health & Medical Education, Mr M K Bandari, Principal GMC Jammu Dr Zahid Gillani, Director Health Services, Jammu Dr B S Pathania, MD J&K Medical Supplies and Medical Superintendents of the associated hospitals were also present.