In a significant boost to public healthcare, the state of Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a remarkable achievement with a large number of its government hospitals receiving national recognition for quality. State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced on Wednesday that a total of 1,454 government hospitals have secured the prestigious National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification.
Breakdown of the Achievement and District Leaders
The minister provided a detailed breakdown of the certified facilities. Out of the 1,454 hospitals, the majority, 1,236 are Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Furthermore, the list includes 72 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 139 Urban PHCs, and 7 Community Health Centres (CHCs). This achievement marks a dramatic improvement from the previous government's tenure, where only 665 hospitals received NQAS recognition over five years.
On a district-wise performance scale, East Godavari district emerged as the top performer with 138 certified hospitals. It was closely followed by YSR Kadapa with 122 and Eluru with 118 hospitals meeting the national quality benchmarks.
Rigorous Parameters and Inspection Process
Minister Yadav explained that the NQAS certification is not easily earned. It is awarded based on a comprehensive assessment of multiple critical parameters. These include the quality of outpatient and inpatient services, infrastructure, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of medicines, hygiene standards, proper documentation, diagnostic services, infection control measures, and importantly, feedback from patients.
He emphasized that this large-scale recognition, typically associated with corporate healthcare institutions, is a matter of great pride for the state's public health system. The certification process involves rigorous inspections conducted by expert teams from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare before the certificates are issued.
Financial Incentives and Future Prospects
The recognition also brings tangible financial benefits. Hospitals that achieve NQAS certification become eligible for central financial incentives. The structure is as follows: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs receive ₹1.26 lakh per year for three years; PHCs get ₹3 lakh each; UPHCs receive ₹2 lakh each; and secondary-level hospitals are granted ₹10,000 per bed per year for three years.
The momentum for quality improvement is set to continue. The state government has already forwarded proposals for an additional 272 hospitals to be considered for NQAS certification this year. Inspections for these facilities are expected to begin later this month, indicating a sustained push towards elevating healthcare standards across Andhra Pradesh.
