Three Kerala hospitals bag NQAS accreditation

Three more hospitals in the state have received National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) accreditation. Thrissur Paralam Family Health Center scored 92 percent, Palakkad Kulappully City Family Health Center scored 86 percent, and Kollam Karunagappally City Family Health Center scored 89 percent. A total of 143 institutions, including new and re-accredited, have been accredited by NQAS so far under this government.

Health Minister Veena George said that this recognition is part of the steps taken to raise more government hospitals to national quality by providing better facilities and services. With the cooperation of people’s representatives and local institutions, activities are being carried out to ensure quality in taluk and district hospitals.

A total of 175 hospitals have achieved NQAS accreditation and 76 hospitals have been re-accredited in the state. The minister said that five district hospitals, four taluk hospitals, nine community health centres, 41 urban primary health centres and 116 family health centres have been accredited by NQAS.

About 6,500 checkpoints in eight categories are evaluated to elevate a hospital to national quality. NQAS accreditation is valid for three years. After three years there will be a re-examination by the national level team. There will also be a state-level examination every year. NQAS-accredited family health centers will get an annual incentive of Rs 2 lakh each and other hospitals will get an annual incentive of Rs 10,000 per bed. The Minister also stated that this amount will help in the further development of hospitals.