VMS approves Rs 390-lakh budget to expand services across J&K, Ladakh

Srinagar, June 10: The Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS) has approved an ambitious budget of approximately Rs 390 lakh for 2025-26.

A statement issued by VMS said that at the Annual General Body Meeting, the 53-year-old organisation outlined plans for enhanced funding across special education, rehabilitation, and livelihood programs. The budget allocates Rs 182.4 lakh for Shafaqat Special School (84 students), Rs 44 lakh for Shafaqat Inclusive School (37 students), Rs 135.4 lakh for the Rehab Centre, and Rs 28.5 lakh for Neuro Rehab Centre.

"The governing body is open to criticism and will follow suggestions in letter and spirit," said founder president Dr Mir Mohammad Maqbool, the noted ENT specialist who established VMS in 1971.

Treasurer Dr Mir Suhail Maqbool presented the budget to members, who unanimously adopted the spending plan after extensive deliberation. Director Dr Bashir Ahmad Lone highlighted VMS's diversified portfolio, including vocational training (26 students), prosthetics services, mental health programmes through SAWAB Centre, kidney care, and sports facilities.

The organisation's expanding partnerships include APPI, J&K Bank, SBI, Enable India, and Mumbai-based NGO Kamrann for digital literacy projects. Secretary Er Malik Mushtaq emphasised commitment to reaching underserved populations across both union territories.