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An audit by the accountant general (AG) has uncovered financial irregularities here at GSVM Medical College, including alleged fraudulent patient admissions and inflated payments for biomedical waste disposal. The audit, covering 2020-21 to 2023-24, detected discrepancies exceeding ₹93.32 lakh, with empty hospital beds falsely recorded as occupied to justify expenses.

The audit revealed that the college awarded a biomedical waste disposal contract to a private firm at ₹30.42 per unit, higher than Jhansi Medical College’s ₹27.6 per unit for similar services. While Jhansi renewed its agreement at ₹35.80 per unit in 2023, Kanpur’s rate was increased to ₹41.17 per unit without clear justification.

The discrepancies came to light during a review of tenders issued since 2019.

GSVM Medical College principal Dr Sanjay Kala, who took charge in 2022, stated that the contract was signed before his tenure. He argued that updated state waste management guidelines—mandating capped rates—could not be applied retroactively.

Dr Kala added that the company’s payment has been put on hold after the audit’s objections. If the audit approves, the payment will be released; otherwise, it will be returned to the government.

However, auditors maintained that payments made post-2023 should comply with current norms.

Further concerns were raised over missing vehicle logbooks from the firm essential for verifying waste transportation. Despite repeated requests, the contractor failed to provide the records, leading authorities to withhold pending payments.

In its response, the firm asserted that its contract adhered to the terms of the 2019 tender and denied any wrongdoing. However, the AG’s office has sought detailed clarification on the rate increases and procedural lapses. Hindustan Times

The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services will delay the effective date of two final rules that were expected to go into effect on Friday, March 21.

By extending the Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients final rules – first promulgated Jan. 17 – to Dec. 31, the agencies can spend more time considering comments they have received.

Why it matters
The two rules were scheduled to become final on Feb. 18, but following a Jan. 20 regulatory freeze by the new administration, the agencies initially delayed their effective dates by a month.

The expansion rule would have permanently allowed virtual care providers to prescribe new patients a six-month supply of buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. After the six-month mark, the rule requires patients to see a provider in person.

The long-awaited clarity on prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine included establishing three special registries for practitioners and platforms to balance patient access with safeguards against misuse.

The DEA has had a responsibility to create a telehealth prescribing registry under the 2018 Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, known as the SUPPORT Act.

Healthcare organizations raised concerns about the registries proposed in the DEA’s final rule, arguing that they could limit telemedicine access and impose burdensome restrictions. One concern has been limiting virtual prescribing access to terminally ill patients in hospice care.

In response to a request, the DEA said it received 32 new comments since February.

The Alliance for Connected Care asked US Attorney General Pam Bondi last month to intervene on the DEA’s e-prescribing rules and urged broader telehealth access, stating that the draft special telehealth registries should be tossed out.

The larger trend
Congress and telehealth industry groups have urged the DEA and HHS to jointly extend prescribing flexibilities allowed under the original Covid-19 public health emergency since it was initially set to expire.

The agencies agreed to a third temporary extension of virtual prescribing for controlled substances allowed under the original Covid-19 public health emergencies in November.

With this new postponement of the rules’ effective dates, telehealth providers are back to an end-of-year deadline.

On the record
“The Department of Justice wishes to further postpone the effective dates for the purpose of further reviewing any questions of fact, law and policy that the rules may raise,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Heather Achbach, the DEA’s Federal Register liaison officer, Monday in their joint notice on the new postponement. Healthcare IT News

Acutus Medical, Inc. reported results for the full year of 2024.

Full year 2024 financial results
Revenue from Continuing Operations was $20.2 million for 2024, an increase of 181% compared to $7.2 million in 2023.

Gross margin on a GAAP basis for continuing operations was 5% for 2024 compared to negative 44% for 2023. The improvement was driven by higher production volumes related to left-heart access manufacturing and reduced manufacturing overhead expenses.

Operating expenses for continuing operations on a GAAP basis was $1.1 million for 2024 compared to Operating expenses of $8.6 million last year. The decrease in operating expenses from reduced discretionary spend under this new business model.

Net loss on continuing operations on a GAAP basis was $4.6 million for 2024 and net loss per share was $0.16 on a weighted average basic and diluted outstanding share count of 29.8 million, compared to a net loss of $11.9 million and a net loss per share of $0.4 on a weighted average basic and diluted outstanding share count of 29.1 million for last year.

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash were $14.0 million as of December 31, 2024.

Loss on discontinued operations
Loss on discontinued operations was $5.0 million for 2024, compared to $69.7 million last year.

Outlook
Due to the announced plan to realign resources to support the left-heart access distribution business and exit from the electrophysiology mapping and ablation businesses, the Company will no longer provide financial guidance.
TheNewsBit Bureau

Water resources minister Nimmala Rama Naidu announced that the state government has allocated Rs 19,264 crore in the Budget to improve medical facilities for people below the poverty line. Distributing Rs 12.60 lakh in cheques to middle-class beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund at Palakollu on Monday, he said the alliance government has cleared Rs 1,300 crore dues owed to private hospitals under NTR Vaidya Seva, which the previous YSRC government had left unpaid.

He further stated that the government will implement a Rs 25-lakh health insurance scheme to ensure corporate-level medical treatment for the poor. Additionally, injections worth Rs 50,000 each will be supplied free of cost to all government hospitals for heart attack patients. The government is also conducting large-scale, door-to-door cancer screening for 4.10 crore people. To support kidney patients, dialysis centres will be set up in every constituency, he added. Deccan Chronicle

The global medical tourism market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the rising demand for high-quality yet cost-effective medical treatments across international borders. The market is projected to grow from USD 46.27 billion in 2023 to an estimated USD 142.7 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 15.12% from 2024 to 2032. Factors such as the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure in emerging medical tourism destinations, shorter wait times for critical procedures, and affordable treatment options compared to developed nations are key contributors to this expansion. Additionally, increasing awareness about medical tourism through digital platforms, coupled with government initiatives to promote cross-border healthcare, is further propelling market growth. Popular procedures driving this trend include cosmetic surgeries, dental treatments, fertility treatments, orthopedic procedures, and specialized surgeries such as cardiovascular and oncology treatments.

The market is also shaped by technological advancements and international collaborations, which enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in medical tourism hotspots. Countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, and Turkey are among the leading destinations due to their state-of-the-art hospitals, skilled healthcare professionals, and competitive pricing. However, challenges such as regulatory barriers, visa restrictions, and concerns over post-operative care in foreign countries may impact market expansion. Nonetheless, the growing acceptance of telemedicine and medical concierge services is improving patient confidence in traveling abroad for medical treatments. As global healthcare costs continue to rise, medical tourism is expected to remain a viable alternative, driving sustained market growth over the forecast period.

Key growth determinants
Cost-effective medical treatments and high-quality healthcare
One of the primary drivers of the medical tourism market is the significant cost savings offered by emerging medical destinations compared to developed nations. Patients from countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. seek medical treatments abroad due to high healthcare costs and insurance limitations. Countries such as India, Thailand, and Mexico provide high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the price, making medical tourism an attractive alternative. Additionally, international accreditation of hospitals, technological advancements, and skilled medical professionals contribute to the growing preference for overseas medical treatments.

Rising demand for specialized medical procedures
Increasing incidences of chronic diseases, the aging population, and advancements in cosmetic, orthopedic, cardiovascular, and fertility treatments are fueling demand for medical tourism. Patients opt for international healthcare providers to access cutting-edge treatments, shorter wait times, and innovative surgical procedures. Additionally, medical tourists seek treatments not readily available or legal in their home countries, such as certain fertility treatments and stem cell therapies, further boosting market expansion.

Government support and infrastructure development
Several governments are actively promoting medical tourism by investing in world-class healthcare facilities, launching special visa programs, and establishing medical tourism hubs. Countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Turkey are developing policies to attract international patients by offering streamlined medical visas, tax incentives, and infrastructure development in healthcare. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) in medical tourism, including collaborations between hospitals, airlines, and hospitality services, further facilitate the growth of this sector.

Technological advancements and telemedicine integration
The integration of AI, telemedicine, and digital health platforms has enhanced accessibility and patient engagement in medical tourism. Patients can now consult specialists online, receive pre-treatment counseling, and access follow-up care remotely, making cross-border medical travel more convenient. AI-driven diagnostics, robotic-assisted surgeries, and minimally invasive treatments have also improved patient outcomes, increasing trust in international medical providers. As digitalization continues to evolve, medical tourism is expected to witness greater patient confidence, improved care coordination, and seamless cross-border healthcare experiences.

Key growth barriers
Regulatory and legal challenges
One of the significant barriers to the medical tourism market is the variation in healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and legal frameworks across countries. Differences in medical malpractice laws, patient rights, and treatment approvals create uncertainty for international patients. Additionally, some insurance companies do not cover treatments performed abroad, limiting the accessibility of medical tourism for a broader patient base. Stricter visa policies and bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining medical visas also act as obstacles, particularly for patients traveling from developing nations.

Quality and safety concerns
While many medical tourism destinations offer high-quality healthcare, concerns over inconsistent standards, counterfeit medications, and unregulated practices can deter patients. Lack of post-operative care, language barriers, and varying levels of medical expertise pose potential risks, affecting patient trust. The absence of a globally unified accreditation system means that some healthcare providers may not meet the safety standards expected by international patients, leading to apprehension in seeking treatment abroad.

Travel risks and logistical challenges
Long-distance travel for medical procedures presents physical, financial, and logistical challenges for patients. Risks associated with air travel after surgeries, medical complications due to long-haul flights, and post-treatment complications without adequate follow-up care can impact patient recovery. Additionally, factors such as unexpected treatment costs, lack of transparency in pricing, and hidden expenses make it difficult for patients to plan their medical trips effectively. Political instability, economic downturns, and travel restrictions in key medical tourism destinations further pose challenges to market growth.

Pandemic-related uncertainties and health risks
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of the medical tourism industry, with border closures, travel bans, and heightened infection risks affecting patient mobility. While the market is recovering, ongoing concerns about infectious diseases, emerging health crises, and stringent quarantine regulations continue to impact international medical travel. Patients may hesitate to seek treatment abroad due to fears of contracting infections, particularly in countries with less developed public health infrastructure. Additionally, fluctuating international healthcare policies and uncertainties surrounding future pandemics remain potential barriers to long-term market stability.

Regional analysis
Asia-Pacific: Leading the global market
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the medical tourism market, driven by countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, which offer high-quality healthcare at competitive prices. India, in particular, is a preferred destination for cardiac surgeries, orthopedic procedures, and fertility treatments, owing to its skilled medical workforce and cost-effective healthcare infrastructure. Thailand and Malaysia are recognized for cosmetic and dental procedures, attracting patients from North America and Europe. Additionally, government initiatives, medical visa programs, and internationally accredited hospitals further strengthen the region’s position. The region’s rapid advancements in robotic-assisted surgeries, regenerative medicine, and alternative therapies are expected to boost market expansion in the coming years.

North America: Outbound medical tourism growth
North America, particularly the United States and Canada, contributes significantly to outbound medical tourism, as high healthcare costs and long wait times drive patients to seek treatments abroad. Many U.S. patients travel to Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean for affordable dental procedures, cosmetic surgeries, and bariatric treatments. However, the region also has advanced healthcare facilities, attracting patients for specialized treatments in oncology, neurology, and organ transplants. The increasing acceptance of cross-border healthcare agreements and telemedicine consultations is expected to shape the region’s medical tourism dynamics.

Europe: Growing inbound and outbound tourism
Europe has a dual role in the medical tourism industry, with countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey emerging as top destinations for high-quality, specialized treatments in areas like orthopedics, cardiology, and cancer care. The U.K. and France, on the other hand, witness substantial outbound medical tourism, as patients seek quicker and more cost-effective treatments in Eastern Europe and Asia. Turkey is a key player in hair transplants, cosmetic surgeries, and dental procedures, offering cutting-edge healthcare at competitive rates. Additionally, advancements in regenerative medicine, medical research, and EU-funded healthcare initiatives continue to drive the region’s growth.

Middle East & Africa: Expanding medical infrastructure
The Middle East, particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, is witnessing rapid growth in medical tourism, fueled by government investments in state-of-the-art hospitals and luxury medical facilities. The UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is positioning itself as a premium medical tourism hub, offering world-class cosmetic, orthopedic, and fertility treatments. Meanwhile, Africa is still in the early stages of medical tourism development, with South Africa emerging as a key destination for cosmetic and dental procedures. The region faces challenges such as political instability, limited specialized treatments, and travel restrictions, but growing investments in healthcare infrastructure and accreditation programs are expected to drive future growth.

Latin America: Cost-effective and rapidly growing market
Latin America is gaining traction in medical tourism, particularly in Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia, which offer affordable and high-quality medical treatments. Mexico, due to its proximity to the U.S., attracts a large number of American patients for dental work, bariatric surgeries, and cosmetic procedures. Brazil is a leader in plastic surgery, while Costa Rica is known for dental and wellness tourism. The region’s affordability, improving hospital infrastructure, and government-backed medical tourism initiatives are driving its expansion. However, safety concerns and inconsistent healthcare regulations remain challenges for sustained growth. Credence Research

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has embarked on a new digital project consolidating patient health information access nationwide for clinicians.

What it’s about
The Shared Digital Health Records (SDHR) project initially aims to “connect data from existing shared digital health records and nationally available clinical data into a consistent view, leveraging existing access, consent, and privacy controls,” said Darren Douglass, acting Chief Information Technology Officer of Te Whatu Ora, in a statement shared with Healthcare IT News.

Funded with NZ$4 million ($2.29 million) through its launch in the middle of the year, the first stage of the project involves ensuring the health system’s readiness through testing options for privacy controls and understanding consumer priorities around the use of their data and consent. This stage will also extend clinicians’ access to patient records not currently available in existing records systems.

“We are re-engaging with our primary care partners to work with them on the data we need to make available for clinical use, how we plan to use and keep it safe, including which care settings will be prioritised for future access,” Douglass expounded.

Providers joining the project can “opt off at any time and reverse that decision if they would like to.”

One of the SDHR’s first uses is supporting the recently announced 24/7 GP telehealth service. Future applications include urgent care facilities and emergency departments.

Future development, meanwhile, includes enhancing data and extending access to other parts of the health system, such as first responders, hospitals, and specialist services, prioritised based on value for patients and clinicians. “This further development is part of a wider digital primary care business case, which is to be finalised over the coming months,” Douglass explained.

“I look forward to sharing more detail[s] as work in the initiative progresses,” he added.

Why it matters
The SDHR project aims to provide consolidated access to digital health records across Te Whatu Ora regions. “Clinicians currently do not have access to shared digital health records for patients in all [Te Whatu Ora] regions,” Douglass said. Access to existing systems, including Health One, Your Health Summary, and TestSafe, is fragmented and inconsistent, he noted.

“We understand and acknowledge it is very important to our stakeholders that clinicians and patients remain informed and retain control over the distribution, access, and use of health information,” the Te Whatu Ora official emphasised.

The larger context
Hira and other similar data-related programs have informed the creation of the SDHR project, Douglass shared. Hira now provides access to patient information, including National Health Index details and vaccination records, via My Health Record, and API testing capabilities via the Digital Services Hub for IT developers. The project, the first phase of which was completed in June, is now paused following budget cuts.

Meanwhile, Te Whatu Ora’s National Data Platform was also launched last year in July. It initially established a secure environment for managing personal medical data. Expected to drive evidence-based policy decisions, data currently available to analysts include the Medicines Data Repository and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment datasets. Healthcare IT News

The tech startup executive charged by the Trump administration with reviewing the Internal Revenue Service’s technology modernization program said on Thursday that he has canceled contracts worth about $1.5 billion from the tax agency’s budget.

Sam Corcos, founder and CEO of health technology firm Levels, and a member of President Donald Trump’s informal Department of Government Efficiency, told Fox News Channel that he has found legacy contracts with outside technology consultants worth tens of billions of dollars for a systems modernization effort that is decades behind schedule.

“I think we’ve so far stopped work and cut about $1.5 billion from the modernization budget, mostly projects that were putting us down this death spiral of complexity in our code base,” said Corcos, who serves as a special adviser to the Treasury.

That’s from an annual modernization budget of about $3.7 billion, which is in addition to a $3.5 billion information technology systems budget, he said.
The true size and legality of many DOGE-related cuts in government spending have been challenged in court.

The IRS last week said it was pausing technology modernization investments to reevaluate its operating approach in light of new artificial intelligence technologies.
The pause marks another shift away from the original $80 billion in IRS investment funding over a decade that was included in former president Joe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

The modernization effort was aimed making up for a decade of under-funding to revamp outdated 1960s-era computer architecture, improving taxpayer services and boosting the IRS’ capability to increase tax collections through more sophisticated audits of the ultra-wealthy and business owners.

Clawing back the supplemental funding has long been a target of Republicans in Congress, who argued that it was aimed at harassing taxpayers. Subsequent stopgap government funding measures have whittled the original $80 billion down by as much as half.

Corcos praised the dedication of the IRS’ 8,000 career information technology employees, saying that they have been “super cooperative” with the cost review. But he said that the agency’s IT costs are far above those of private-sector banks processing similar amounts of data. Reuters

The People’s Liberation Army is using DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence (AI) for non-combat support functions, according to Chinese media reports.
Analysts expect the AI models to find imminent application in battlefield intelligence surveillance and decision-making by the Chinese military.

DeepSeek’s open-source large language models (LLMs), which have drawn global attention and praise, are being used in PLA hospitals, People’s Armed Police (PAP), and national defence mobilisation organs, according to publicly available information.

Earlier this month, the general hospital of the PLA’s Central Theatre Command announced it had authorised “embedded deployment” of DeepSeek’s R1-70B LLM, saying it could provide treatment plan suggestions to support doctors.

The hospital also emphasised patient privacy and data security, noting that all data was stored and processed on local servers.

Similar deployments have been seen in other PLA hospitals nationwide, including the elite PLA General Hospital in Beijing, also known as “301 Hospital”, where senior Chinese officials and military officers receive treatment and highly sensitive personal data is believed to be stored.

Ren Hao, a senior software engineer at the hospital, in a report published on the website of CHIMA, a branch of the Chinese Hospital Association, gave details on 301’s collaboration with Huawei, a US-sanctioned Chinese tech giant. The project aims to deploy the DeepSeek-R1 model on Huawei’s Ascend hardware for building a local knowledge database.

Chinese start-up DeepSeek has garnered significant attention for its remarkable cost-effectiveness and performance, prompting US tech companies to reassess their competitiveness.

DeepSeek’s rise has been meteoric, with its AI app topping the Apple App Store charts in China in February. Beijing is promoting AI integration across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and urban development, and some Chinese government agencies are increasingly utilising DeepSeek models, including for anti-corruption efforts.

Some units of PAP – a paramilitary police force under the command of the Central Military Commission, which also directs the PLA – are using the app for daily physical training and psychological counselling.

The Hainan PAP’s political work department shared an example of soldiers using DeepSeek to address anxiety and create an exercise plan, according to a post on its social media account.

According to Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Centre for Security and Emerging Technology who focuses on military AI applications, the use of DeepSeek’s models in settings like hospitals and soldier training programmes offers the PLA a controlled environment for experimentation.

By initially deploying LLMs in non-combat scenarios, the PLA could try to address technical and operational challenges before expanding into more sensitive, high-risk areas, Bresnick said.
The PLA had long highlighted the potential utility of AI for military decision-making, he noted, adding that “the emergence of an advanced model like DeepSeek’s R1 might help in that area”.

The PLA has called for the incorporation of high-end technology, particularly AI, to strengthen its combat capabilities. This would include boosting the effectiveness of drone swarm tactics, improving the efficiency and realism of pilot training, and battlefield decision-making support.

A programme on state broadcaster CCTV as far back as 2023 said the PLA was testing ways to deploy hundreds of drones for swarm tactics with the help of AI and cloud computing.

However, specific details about what types of AI tools used by the Chinese military remain classified.

The state-held Guangming Daily said last month that DeepSeek “is playing an increasingly crucial role in the military intelligentisation process, ushering in a new chapter in the evolution of military intelligentisation”.

It said DeepSeek was capable of processing massive amounts of battlefield data in real time, enabling precise situational awareness during combat.

The article also used an amphibious-landing scenario to illustrate how DeepSeek could dynamically adjust operational plans based on real-time battlefield changes, thus helping commanders to make more accurate and fast decisions.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military analyst, said DeepSeek’s applications in routine physical training and logistical support “demonstrate the PLA’s commitment to ‘staying up-to-date and fully utilising AI technology to enhance comprehensive combat capabilities’.”

“It cannot be ruled out that DeepSeek has been used for other combat functions,” Fu said, adding that “the integration of AI into command systems has been under way for a considerable time”.

DeepSeek’s military applications underscore the advancements in China’s civil-military fusion strategy, which aims to integrate civilian and military technologies.

Bresnick said that DeepSeek’s adoption showed how the PLA was assimilating advanced technologies from the civilian sector.

The launch of DeepSeek’s AI and its wide application in China also come at a time of a heated tech race with the United States.

Bresnick noted that while most experts still believed that the US had an edge over China in AI development, “the ultimate advantage will belong to the nation that can more effectively integrate and deploy AI in military operations”.

“At present, no clear front runner has emerged there,” he said.

The Nanjing National Defence Mobilisation Office – part of a nationwide network of such offices responsible for civil mobilisation during wartime – last month released a DeepSeek user guide that indicated its AI models could provide efficient support in various areas such as emergency evacuation plans, national defence education and industry resource surveys.

Utilising technologies including LLMs would improve the quality and efficiency of national defence mobilisation, the armed forces’ official newspaper PLA Daily said in an article on Thursday. South China Morning Post

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 exactly the same. This is true both for SKIMS as a tertiary care hospital and SKIMS as a deemed university,” the minister said.

She said it continues to grant degrees as per SKIMS (Grant of Degrees) Act, 1983. Further the budget allocation for the SKIMS continues to be charged on the grants of the health budget as was previously.

As per the First Schedule of Government Business Rules of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the subject of SKIMS was assigned to the Health and Medical Education Department (H&ME) and post re-organization the same continued vide Transaction of Business Rules-2019 issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on August 27, 2020.

“So, there is no change vis-a-vis transaction of business rules of SKIMS,” she said.

With respect to appointments and promotions, the minister said it was observed that vacancies both in gazetted, including faculty and non-gazetted positions, had piled up over the years.

In order to support and strengthen the institution in the interest of patient care and to make the recruitment and promotion processes transparent, time bound and merit based, the services and expertise or two dedicated recruitment agencies, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), have been provided to fill up the vacancies, Itoo said.

The minister said a dedicated SKIMS Cell was established by the government on June 28 last year to ensure fast track disposal of all matters pertaining to the hospital.

The SKIMS under administrative control of the Health and Medical Education department had and will in future have several advantages like expeditious disposal of matters, coordination and collaboration, resource allocation, training and education and policy alignment. PTI

Max Healthcare Institute Limited announced the approval of a Scheme of Amalgamation between its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Crosslay Remedies Limited and Jaypee Healthcare Limited. This merger aims to enhance business management, control, and growth, creating a financially efficient entity with integrated operations, reduced overheads, and optimized asset utilization. The amalgamation is expected to streamline management structures and reduce legal and regulatory compliances, thereby strengthening the company’s industry positioning. TipRanks