Jammu, Mar 23: Health Minister Sakina Itoo has said the services of Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) have been extended to Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) to overcome the problem of lapse of funds meant for procurement.The minister, however, said the hospital, established in Soura area of Srinagar in 1976, continues to be an autonomous institution.In a written reply to a starred question by National Conference legislator Farooq Ahmad Shah in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the minister said it was observed that the internal procurement mechanisms were insufficient and extremely sluggish to meet the requirements of the SKIMS.
Over 34.16 per cent of funds were lapsed in 2021-22, 21.72 per cent in 2022-23 and 34.
22 per cent in 2023-24, she said, adding, therefore, the services of dedicated procurement agency for all health institutions of Jammu and Kashmir has been extended to the SKIMS as well in order to strengthen and support the institute and in the interest of patient care.“This decision will facilitate timely, efficient and effective procurement of machinery and equipment for SKIMS and in turn strengthen the patient care and service delivery system of the hospital,” the minister said.She said that necessary changes had to be made to bring in transparency and efficiency in the functioning of SKIMS, Soura.
“SKIMS continues to be an autonomous institution. The existing institutional structures and frameworks remain exact.