The State health system achieved yet another milestone when seven primary health centres (PHCs) in Kerala secured the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification, with five of the institutions becoming national toppers at the PHC level.
The seven NQAS-certified PHCs are part of the 170 PHCs in the State that had been converted to family health centres last year under Mission Aardram.
Kayyur FHC in Kasaragod, with an NQAS score of 99%, became the top PHC in the country. The other health institutions to receive the NQAS certification are Valapattanam and Therthally FHCs in Kannur district; Valiyaparamba and Karinthalam FHCs in Kasaragod district; Peruvembu FHC in Palakkad district, and Chemmaruthy FHC in Thiruvananthapuram district.
A statement issued by Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said that 140 public-sector health institutions in the State were aiming at securing NQAS certification in 2019.
Till date, 23 health institutions in the State have secured NQAS certification. National Quality Assurance Standards, the new national-level certification programme for three levels of public health facilities — primary and community health centres and district hospitals — had been rolled out in 2014 by the Union Ministry of Health.
The certification for public hospitals covers vast areas such as hospital processes, facilities, patient rights, and most importantly, social and support services to patients coming to public health facilities.
