Health Ministry collaborates with QCI to Improve Healthcare Quality in CGHS Hospitals

New Delhi: Aiming to transform the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) ecosystem and improve the healthcare experience for all beneficiaries, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced a collaboration with the Quality Council of India.

A press release issued in this regard stated that this partnership aims to deliver a more robust, efficient, and transparent CGHS system by outlining a comprehensive approach that will address several key areas.

The collaboration will be focussed on enhancing the quality of services offered through systematic interventions. The MoU aims to support CGHS facilities in achieving accreditation by NABH/NABL and to build the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver high-quality services, reports ANI.

The agreement emphasizes the importance of technology in achieving the desired transformation and lays the groundwork for collaboration on additional initiatives to further improve the CGHS ecosystem.

Measures to ensure the quality of drugs and storage facilities, alongside modernization of procurement and inventory management systems will also be a crucial aspect along with a focus on the modernization of infrastructure, products, and processes.

Furthermore, to ensure regular review and evaluation, quality monitoring mechanisms will be established. With an aim to provide a complete overhaul of the CGHS system through third-party assessments and the implementation of transformation initiatives, this collaboration will also focus on expanding the network of qualified healthcare providers and laboratories empanelled under CGHS.

Also Read: Either Govt fixes standard rates for private hospitals or we will implement CGHS rates: Supreme Court issues Ultimatum

Manashvi Kumar, the Joint Secretary of the Union Health Ministry, said, "This is a historic moment. The collaboration marks the beginning of a quality overhaul of the CGHS ecosystem which has commitment from the highest level of the Government of India. CGHS must become the role model for healthcare in India."

Jaxay Shah, the Chairperson of the Quality Council of India, highlighted this collaboration as a pivotal moment that will usher in a new era of quality, transparency, and efficiency for the CGHS ecosystem.

"By leveraging QCI's expertise in quality improvement methodologies and the Ministry's deep understanding of the healthcare landscape, we can implement a comprehensive transformation plan. This will not only enhance service delivery but also empower beneficiaries with greater trust and confidence in the CGHS system," he stated.

Rajesh Maheshwari, the Secretary General of QCI and CEO of National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies said that this five-year partnership represents a significant step forward in our collective vision of ensuring high-quality, accessible healthcare for all Indians.

"By focusing on quality accreditation, capacity building, and technology integration, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable system that can adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of beneficiaries. This collaboration will empower us to leverage innovation and best practices to create a CGHS that is not only efficient but also empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey," Maheshwari said.

This move comes at a time when recently the Supreme Court cognisance of the disparity of the cost of services at government and private hospitals while considering a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO 'Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public life'. Filing the plea under Article 32 of the Constitution, the NGO prayed for a direction on the Union Government to determine the rate of fee chargeable from the patients in terms of Rule 9 of the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, 2012.

Even though Rule 9 of the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, 2012 mandates that the Government shall determine the rate of fee chargeable from the patients at private hospitals and clinical establishments, it has not been enforced till now.

Rule 9 states, "every clinical Establishment shall display the rates charged for each type of service provided and facilities available, for the benefit of the patients at a conspicuous place in the local as well as english language." It further mentions that the clinical establishments shall charge the rates for each type of procedures and services within the range of rates determined and issued by the Central government from time to time, in consultation with the State governments.

Slamming the Union Government for its failure to fix a range of rates of services at private healthcare facilities. Issuing directions to the Union Health Secretary to hold a meeting with the State Counterparts and come up with a concrete proposal before the next date of hearing, the Supreme Court bench had warned that if the Government fails to comply with the directions, the Court shall consider issuing CGHS rates instead.

Also Read: Standardising rates for healthcare: Health Ministry Calls Emergency Meeting with Private Hospitals