E. Tukaram, Minister for Medical Education, has set February 28 as the deadline to improve basic infrastructure facilities at the government-run autonomous Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) hospital here.
Mr. Tukaram went round the hospital to inspect the basic facilities and also the progress of the construction of new buildings on the VIMS campus on Saturday.
Speaking to presspersons later, Mr. Tukaram said that he had found lacunae in the functioning of the institution and had directed the Director to initiate steps to improve it.
“I have noticed that due to lack of coordination among the departments, available funds are not being used. As a result, some of the facilities were not functioning properly. I have instructed the Director to make use of the funds available and get the equipment repaired. In addition, directions had been given to take up all the works expeditiously,” he said.
Mr. Tukaram has also instructed officials to print ‘for use in VIMS only and not for sale’ labels on all medicines and drugs provided by the institution.
“I want to focus on improving the basic infrastructure facilities at the earliest. Other major works, including acquiring major diagnostic equipments, construction of new buildings and the like in the second phase, may be after June this year,” he said.
To a question, he said that he will meet the Chief Minister shortly and request him to allocate additional funds for VIMS in the coming budget.
Regarding appointing a regular Director for VIMS, he said that the process of calling interview was on and would be completed very soon.
Mr. Tukaram also went round the Government Dental College and Research Institute.