Union Health Minister stresses safe, dignified and patient-centric care, infection control and quality standards at ABVIMS and RML Hospital, New Delhi
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda highlighted the importance of patient safety, quality healthcare and infection prevention while addressing an event organised at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, on the occasion of World Patient Safety Day 2026.
The theme of World Patient Safety Day 2026 is “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases”, with the slogan “Safe care for life!” The theme focuses on safe, coordinated and continuous healthcare for people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Patient Safety Must Remain Central to Healthcare
Addressing the gathering, Nadda said patient safety is a critical component of healthcare and that healthcare delivery should extend beyond treatment to ensure safe, high-quality, dignified and patient-centred care.
He appreciated ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital for organising the programme and particularly highlighted the institution’s Quality & Safety Handbook, which provides practical guidance for strengthening quality and safety practices.
Nadda emphasised that patient safety requires collective efforts from doctors, nurses, paramedical professionals, technicians, administrative staff, patients and attendants.
He also stressed that necessary safety precautions and protocols should not be compromised in the interest of speed. Correct diagnosis, appropriate treatment, infection-prevention measures and continuous infection control, he said, are essential components of safe healthcare.
Cleanliness and Infection Control Linked to Patient Safety
Nadda highlighted the connection between cleanliness, hygiene and patient safety in healthcare facilities.
Referring to the Swachhata movement, he said cleanliness should become part of everyday habits and working practices. He noted that around 11 crore toilets have been created over the past decade, strengthening sanitation infrastructure and contributing to dignity and improved living conditions.
He also linked improvements in sanitation with public health outcomes, including a decline in diarrhoeal disease.
In hospitals, Nadda said cleanliness has a direct relationship with infection prevention and patient safety. He called for greater attention to hand hygiene, proper waste disposal, infection-control protocols and responsible maintenance of hospital premises.
60,000 Government Health Facilities NQAS-Certified
Highlighting institutional quality assurance, Nadda said the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification programme was introduced in 2015 to establish nationally recognised standards for assessing healthcare quality.
According to him, around 60,000 government health facilities are now NQAS-certified, while efforts are underway to expand coverage to approximately 2 lakh institutions.
He said expansion of quality standards and certification reflects the focus on institutionalising quality, safety and patient-centred care across the public healthcare system.
Ayushman Bharat Strengthening Financial Protection
Nadda also highlighted the role of Ayushman Bharat in improving access to healthcare and reducing financial burden on eligible families.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
The Union Minister stated that approximately 11.5 crore beneficiaries had received treatment under Ayushman Bharat, involving treatment worth around ₹1.6 lakh crore.
He said the programme has helped families, including elderly citizens, access medical procedures and treatment without facing substantial financial burden.
More Than 20,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Established
Nadda highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which aims to improve access to quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
He said more than 20,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established across the country, with efforts underway to expand the network to approximately 25,000 outlets.
He also highlighted plans to expand the range of medicines, ensure timely availability and maintain quality. According to Nadda, cumulative savings to citizens through the Jan Aushadhi initiative have been estimated at around ₹45,000 crore.
Government Focuses on Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure
The Union Minister also highlighted efforts to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.
He stated that the share of out-of-pocket expenditure in total health expenditure had declined from around 62% in 2014 to approximately 43%.
Nadda said continued efforts are being made to reduce the financial burden on families while improving access to healthcare services.
Focus on Prevention and Early Detection
Nadda also emphasised preventive healthcare, early detection and continuity of care.
He referred to vaccination, maternal and child health services and screening programmes for noncommunicable diseases.
Screening efforts include diabetes, hypertension and various cancers, including oral, cervical and breast cancer. He said tens of crores of people have been screened through ongoing public health initiatives.
He also highlighted digital tracking of vaccination from childhood and mechanisms for follow-up with beneficiaries and families to ensure completion of recommended vaccinations.
Patient-Centred Care Extends Beyond Treatment
Nadda said patients entering hospitals bring not only illness but also anxiety, hope and expectations.
He emphasised that the conduct of healthcare personnel, including providing timely information, appropriate guidance, reassurance and support, forms an important part of the patient experience.
He congratulated ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital for their initiatives on World Patient Safety Day and appreciated the institution’s efforts involving systematic audits, training, continuous monitoring and institutional learning.
NABH Accreditation and Clean Hospital Environment
Speaking at the event, Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean hospital environment for safe and quality healthcare.
She noted that ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital has achieved NABH accreditation, reflecting adherence to established standards relating to patient safety and quality of treatment.
She stressed that hospital cleanliness cannot be the responsibility of healthcare workers alone and requires participation from patients, visitors and attendants.
Srivastava also highlighted initiatives including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, vaccination services, PM-ABHIM, eSanjeevani, PM-JAY and Ayushman Vay Vandana.
She further highlighted the role of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras and AMRIT Pharmacies in improving access to affordable medicines and implants, including the AMRIT Pharmacy at RML Hospital.
Quality and Safety Handbook Released
Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Manoj Joshi emphasised the importance of making quality healthcare more accessible and improving patient satisfaction.
He highlighted the role of initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in strengthening financial protection and access to affordable medicines.
Joshi also called for sustained efforts to improve cleanliness, hygiene and infection-control practices in hospitals.
During the programme, the Quality & Safety Handbook of ABVIMS and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital was released.
The handbook provides healthcare staff with standardised operational guidance to support best practices, strengthen quality of care and improve adherence to patient-safety protocols across different areas of hospital operations.
Nadda also interacted with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana during the event.
Important Highlights
- JP Nadda addressed a World Patient Safety Day 2026 event at ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi.
- The 2026 theme is “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases”, with the slogan “Safe care for life!”
- Around 60,000 government health facilities are reported to be NQAS-certified, with a target of approximately 2 lakh institutions.
- Approximately 11.5 crore beneficiaries have received treatment under Ayushman Bharat, involving treatment worth around ₹1.6 lakh crore, according to Nadda.
- More than 20,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established, with expansion planned to around 25,000 outlets.
- The Quality & Safety Handbook of ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital was released during the programme to strengthen standardised patient-safety practices.
