MAHA HEALTH DEPT EYES UNION GOVT’S QUALITY CERTIFICATE

MUMBAI: The state public health department is eyeing to acquire the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certificate for its 22 district and sub-district hospitals. The NQAS is certified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as recognition for high standards of quality and performance, to institutes that meet the enlisted requirements.

Dr Nitin Ambadekar, the joint director of state health services, said public health officials carried out a survey between April and September across 22 district hospitals to find out the gaps, before applying for the certification.

“Lack of specialists and infrastructure are the main issues that stood out in the survey across hospitals. We are in the process of fixing these problems. Our main focus is on upgrading the quality of health services now,” Ambadekar said.

A state official said the health department will submit its application to the Central government, following which NAQS officials will come to the state to examine amenities for patients, hospital hygiene and infrastructure.

Dr Abhay Bang, a public health activist, said the certification may help in changing the popular perception that the quality of services are better in private hospitals as compared to the public facilities.

“Under the government’s National Health Protection Scheme, patients prefer private hospitals over public ones to access better quality,” he said.

“Quality health care will definitely help patients. However, the state must upgrade public health services so that more patients opt for them, as they are cashstarved,” Bang added.