Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) the status of Community and Primary Health Centres in the country;
(b) whether the Government intends to get all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) ISOCertified;
(c) if so, the details thereof including the number of CHCs and PHCs that have received ISO-Certification, State-wise; and
(d) the steps being taken to improve the quality of services in CHCs and PHCs?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 337* FOR 24TH MARCH, 2017
(a) As per Rural Health Statistics 2016, the State/UT wise details of number of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) functioning in the country and the number of CHCs and PHCs functioning as per IPHS norms is given at Annexure.
(b & c) No, there is no plan to get PHCs and CHCs ISO certified since ISO do not have any Hospital Specific standards. Ministry has enacted its own quality standards (National Quality Assurance Standards) for Quality Certification of PHCs & CHCs. Government has also issued Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms for Public Health facilities. Financial support is provided to states under NHM for strengthening Public Health facilities to IPHS norms.
(d) Public Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility to improve the quality of services in CHCs and PHCs, lies with the State Governments. However, under NHM, assistance is provided to the States/UTs to strengthen the health services that include improving quality of services in CHCs and PHCs. Various steps taken, inter alia, to improve the quality of services in CHCs and PHCs are as under: -
1. Quality Assurance Committees have been constituted at National, State and District level. Under National Health Mission, dedicated Human Resource has been provided to operationalize these committees and carry out related tasks such as quality assessment, preparing action plan and assisting healthcare facilities for quality certification.
2. Quality Standards for Public Health facilities have been defined and public health facilities are encouraged to meet these standards and achieve quality certification.
3. Poor Hygiene and sanitation condition of Public hospitals has been a major barrier for community to utilize the services. The central government has launched ‘Kayakalp’ award scheme for transforming public hospital in by improving Sanitation, Hygiene, Upkeep, Infection Control Practices and waste management practices. All facilities from PHC s, CHCs, District Hospitals to Tertiary care institutions are given annual award after assessment on defined criteria.
4. Support is provided to States to implement NHM Free Diagnostics Services Initiative and NHM free drugs initiative in Public Health facilities.
5. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has been recently launched in the year 2016 to provide fixed-day assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month free of cost in CHCs, Sub-District Hospitals etc.
6. In order to improve functionality of Medical Equipments, Operational Guidelines for Biomedical Equipment Management and Maintenance Program (BMMP) has been shared with States.