SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 24: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the government has accorded top priority to ensure availability and functionality of critical-care equipment in Government Medical Institutions. The administration is taking all necessary steps for timely restoration and maintenance of ventilators at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, she added.
The Minister stated this while replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Legislator Javid Hassan Baig.
The Minister informed the House that 14 ventilators have been installed at GMC Baramulla comprising five Hamilton, five Evolution and four Oxivent units, all of foreign make requiring specialised consumables and servicing through certified agencies. She said the functionality status of all ventilators has been examined in detail and remedial measures have already been initiated.
She said that the government is according top priority to the early restoration of all non-functional ventilators and strengthening the maintenance mechanism for critical-care equipment. “Our foremost priority is to ensure that critical-care facilities remain fully functional and readily available for patients. We are taking all necessary measures to strengthen the system, address maintenance-related issues and ensure preparedness to meet any eventuality,” she said.
The Minister said that as an interim measure, the department has also taken up the matter directly with the concerned company’s headquarters to secure the required consumables and servicing support, thereby ensuring continuity of critical-care services.
The Minister further informed the House that the earlier Biomedical Equipment Maintenance & Management Programme (BEMMP) arrangement through Mediciti Healthcare Services Private Limited under JKMSCL has expired and the matter is presently under consideration with JKMSCL for finalisation of a sustainable and effective maintenance mechanism.
