Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to enhance the financial powers of the Armed Forces Medical Services(AFMS)to enable faster decision making resulting in better planning and operational preparedness.
Giving details of the enhanced powers, officials said here on Wednesday the primary objective of the enhanced delegation of financial powers is to empower Competent Financial Authorities (CFA) at hospitals and below for procurement in medical stores in an efficient manner for urgent operational necessities and meeting essential medical requirements.
It aims to empower hospitals and field formations and focus on operational preparedness. It will also promote ease of doing business, enhancing the delivery of healthcare. It may be recalled that enhancement of delegation of financial power at all levels for the Medical Services was done in 2016. The latest decision will help to overcome procedural delays and also bring about greater decentralisation and operational efficiency.
Listing some of the highlights, they said they include devolution of financial powers to Field Units, Hospitals and focus on enhancing pace and quality of healthcare delivery thereby enhancing operational preparedness.
The other features include two times general enhancement of delegated powers for Competent Financial Authorities and up to 3 - 10 times enhancement at field formations in certain Schedules on account of operational requirements. It also gives impetus for clinical studies, research and development.