NMC directs medical colleges to constitute patient safety committees in 11 domains, appoint nodal officers

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC), acting on a communication dated May 8, 2026, from the Additional Director General of Health Services (Addl. DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has directed all medical colleges and medical institutions across the country to constitute a Patient Safety Committee/Cell and designate a Patient Safety Nodal Officer.

Issuing a public notice in this regard on October 8, 2026, the NMC asked the Deans, Principals, Directors and Heads of all medical colleges and institutions to establish the committee with representation from relevant specialties and all 11 domains of patient safety identified by the National Patient Safety Secretariat (NPSS).

"The National Patient Safety Secretariat (NPSS), Dte.GHS (MoHFW), is undertaking various initiatives to institutionalize a culture of patient safety, appropriate protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in healthcare institutions. The objective is to improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable treatment-related costs, enhance patient satisfaction and strengthen public trust in healthcare services. In this regard, all Deans / Principals / Directors / Heads of Medical Colleges / Medical Institutions are advised to designate 'a Patient Safety Nodal Officer' for their Medical College and Hospital. Further, all Medical Colleges / Medical Institutions are required to constitute 'a Patient Safety Committee/Cell' with representation from relevant specialties and domains of patient safety. The Committee/Cell shall facilitate the implementation, monitoring and periodic review of patient safety practices, protocols and SOPs in the institution," the notice by NMC mentioned. 

Further, the Apex Medical Commission has asked all medical colleges and medical institutions to share the details and composition of their Patient Safety Committee/Cell, along with the details of the designated Patient Safety Nodal Officer, with the National Patient Safety Secretariat

The May 8 communication from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) stated that the National Patient Safety Secretariat (NPSS), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is taking steps to establish a culture of patient safety in healthcare institutions through appropriate protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

As part of the measures, each medical college and its associated hospital must designate a Patient Safety Nodal Officer with sufficient seniority and authority to implement patient safety practices. The DGHS suggested that officials such as the Medical Superintendent (MS), Additional Medical Superintendent, or Director could be considered for the role.

The DGHS communication also stated that the Patient Safety Committee must be chaired by the Director, Head of Institution, or Medical Superintendent. It must include members representing all 11 domains of patient safety identified by the NPSS.

These domains of patient safety include medication safety, surgical safety, blood transfusion safety, medical device safety, laboratory and diagnostic safety, infection prevention and control, healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, operational research in patient safety, patient and family engagement, vaccine and injection safety, facility safety (including biomedical waste management, fire safety, structural safety and environmental safety) and AYUSH.

The communication identified several relevant specialties and departments that may contribute to the committee's work, including Pharmacology, General Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Hospital Administration, Radiology, Forensic Medicine and AYUSH. Nursing and engineering professionals may also contribute to relevant patient safety activities.

To view the notice, click on the link below:

Also read- NMC calls on medical colleges' faculty for participation in National Patient Safety Conference