healthcare quality
IGUHC is continuing its support in one the key areas of healthcare quality and health benefit packages.
Ensuring Quality Healthcare Access for PM-JAY Beneficiaries
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme is increasing the physical and financial access to hospital care for the target beneficiary. However, to achieve the goal of universal health coverage (UHC), it is crucial to ensure that the care provided at the designated hospitals meets a satisfactory level of quality. In recognition of this importance, in June 2019, the National Health Authority (NHA) partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to launch an effort to enhance the quality of care at the empanelled hospitals.
This collaborative effort has introduced a Quality Certification (QC) system, designed to elevate quality standards in hospitals nationwide, particularly those affiliated with PMJAY. The objective is to establish a network of hospitals that guarantee high-quality care for patients. Through the QC system, NHA and QCI aim to assist hospitals in elevating their quality and obtaining a certification as a mark of acknowledgment.
This collaborative effort has introduced a Quality Certification (QC) system, designed to elevate quality standards in hospitals nationwide, particularly those affiliated with PMJAY. The objective is to establish a network of hospitals that guarantee high-quality care for patients. Through the QC system, NHA and QCI aim to assist hospitals in elevating their quality and obtaining a certification as a mark of acknowledgment.
While a certification system for evaluating hospital quality has been established, there remains a need to assess its effectiveness and adequacy in mainstreaming the quality of care among PMJAY-affiliated hospitals. IGUHC, in its support of NHA’s PM-JAY implementation, has ensured that quality assessment occurs not only during hospital affiliation but also during service delivery. To meet the growing demands of PM-JAY and uphold the quality of care for beneficiaries, it is essential to establish and expand a network of hospitals that adhere to specified quality standards and criteria. This underscores the importance of proactively affiliating hospitals to assure beneficiaries that their rights will be respected in a convenient and dignified manner. IGUHC has also collaborated with ICMR in formulating standard treatment guidelines, which are presently employed by NHA for the implementation of PM-JAY.