Non-compliance to impact AB-ARK scheme benefits, salary hikes and performance reports
Bengaluru – In a decisive step toward improving public healthcare standards, the Karnataka Health Department has mandated that all government hospitals across the state must comply with the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) within three months.
As per the official directive issued on July 8, any hospital failing to meet this deadline will be disqualified from receiving funds under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ARK) scheme—a key state-backed health initiative aimed at supporting low- and middle-income families.
The order outlines a strict timeline and accountability measures:
- Within 6 months: Non-compliance will result in negative remarks on the annual performance reports of concerned healthcare officials, potentially leading to transfers.
- Within 9 months: If no improvement is noted, annual salary increments for heads of institutions and medical/paramedical staff will be withheld. Continued neglect will hold staff accountable for poor-quality care.
The directive aligns with the declaration of 2021–2030 as the International Decade of Quality Service, citing that over 50% of global health issues arise due to poor or delayed treatment.
About NQAS
The National Quality Assurance Standards were developed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to elevate the quality of services in public healthcare. They apply to District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Urban PHCs. The standards assess key areas including:
- Service provision
- Patient rights
- Infrastructure and inputs
- Infection control
- Clinical care and outcomes
- Quality management systems
The objective is to create a uniform benchmark of quality in healthcare delivery across India through structured evaluations and continual improvement.
Kerala’s Milestone
In contrast, Kerala has already made significant strides in this direction, with 200 government hospitals earning NQAS certification, according to previous reports by Medical Dialogues.
With Karnataka’s latest move, the state aims to replicate such success by making hospital accreditation a non-negotiable benchmark for quality healthcare delivery.
