Historic Achievement: 251 Hospitals in Kerala Receive National Quality Accreditation

Thiruvananthapuram: Eleven more healthcare institutions in the state have received national quality accreditation, Health Minister Veena George said. With this, a total of 251 healthcare institutions in the state have now been accredited under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). The accredited facilities include 8 district hospitals, 6 taluk hospitals, 13 community health centres, 46 urban family health centres, 162 family health centres, and 16 public health centres. This recognition is proof of the progress achieved in the state’s healthcare sector, the minister said. The institutions that received NQAS accreditation are: Kozhikode General Hospital (90.66%), Malappuram Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital (91.84%), Ernakulam Kumbalangi Community Health Centre (96.90%), Ernakulam Panangad Family Health Centre (95.83%), Kozhikode Arikkulam Family Health Centre (95.58%), Malappuram Pookkottumanna Public Health Centre (85.26%), Malappuram Melangadi Public Health Centre (82.77%), Kozhikode Kakkadampoyil Public Health Centre (81.99%), Kozhikode Koombara Public Health Centre (82.89%), Kozhikode Ponnankayam Public Health Centre (94.89%), and Kannur Morazha Public Health Centre (92.65%). Kozhikode General Hospital has received NQAS, LaQshya, and MusQan accreditations together. The hospital’s maternity operation theatre scored 90.38%, its labour room 88.85%, and in MusQan certification, it scored 92.07%. Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital’s labour room earned LaQshya certification with a score of 89%. The LaQshya Accreditation Programme aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and ensure high-quality care for pregnant women and newborns at government hospital delivery points. So far, 15 hospitals in the state have received LaQshya certification, including 3 medical colleges, 9 district hospitals, and 3 taluk hospitals. The MusQan initiative aims to reduce morbidity and mortality among newborns and children, and to ensure quality, child-friendly services at public health centres for children from birth up to 12 years of age. So far, 6 healthcare institutions in the state have received MusQan certification, including 2 medical colleges and 4 district hospitals.