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JULY 18: In a major step toward strengthening healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, directed the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) to ensure zero stock-outs of life-saving drugs in all government hospitals.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on drug procurement and inventory management, the Minister emphasized the importance of a robust and technology-enabled supply chain system to maintain uninterrupted availability of critical medicines and essential medical supplies. She stressed that timely availability of life-saving drugs is non-negotiable for effective patient care and public health assurance.
The Minister called for stringent quality control mechanisms to ensure that all procured medicines meet national and international standards. She instructed JKMSCL to adopt end-to-end digital tracking of stock movements, leveraging IT-enabled inventory systems for better transparency and efficiency.
Highlighting the need for real-time monitoring, she suggested setting up a centralized dashboard for stock status across hospitals in all districts, enabling timely redistribution of supplies where shortages arise. The Minister also advised officials to adopt predictive demand planning based on patient load and seasonal requirements, reducing dependency on emergency procurement.
Underscoring the government’s vision for Universal Health Coverage, Minister Itoo reiterated the importance of achieving 100% saturation under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, ensuring that every citizen has access to free and cashless treatment across empaneled hospitals. She directed health officials to conduct awareness drives for maximum enrollment under the scheme.
“Healthcare delivery is as strong as its supply chain. We cannot afford delays or shortages when it comes to life-saving drugs. Our goal is to make J&K’s drug procurement system fully transparent, efficient, and future-ready,” the Minister stated during the review.
Senior officials from JKMSCL briefed the Minister on current stock levels, procurement timelines, vendor performance, and upcoming tenders. The Minister instructed strict adherence to timelines and compliance protocols while warning against lapses that could affect patient care.
The meeting concluded with a strong directive for quality assurance, operational accountability, and better inter-departmental coordination to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.