JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat reviewed the status of implementation of Free Drug Policy and other diagnostic facilities in the government health institutions to be implemented in the State from Ist June, 2016 at a high-level meeting of officers held here today.
Several issues related to smooth implementation of the policy vis-a-viz availability of funds and procurement of drugs and other diagnostic material were discussed in detail and the Minister directed the concerned to clear all the bottlenecks at the earliest so that this prestigious policy was implemented in letter and spirit. He directed the officers to work out the details of requirements and put the same to the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) well in time enabling it to procure and supply accordingly.
The issues related to the procurement of medicines and diagnostic equipments by the JKMSCL were also discussed in detail and the Minister issued instructions to Principals of Government Medical Colleges, Srinagar, Jammu and both the Directors of Health Services to put up their timely annual requirements enabling the Corporation to procure the same in the prescribed time frame.
The Minister stressed the need for launching a vigorous awareness campaign to publicize the components of the Free Drug Policy through the mediums of electronic and print media to educate the general masses about the facilities under the policy.
Managing Director JKMSCL, Dr. Yashpal Sharma briefed about the functioning of the Corporation.
Later, the Minister inaugurated the newly fabricated cabins in the Government Medical College for the facilities of attendants.