QCI NABH marks World Patient Safety Day 2024 with major healthcare reforms

New Delhi: The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent Board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), successfully hosted the NABH Patient Safety Conference (NPSC 2024) on World Patient Safety Day, September 17, 2024.

The event, aimed at advancing patient safety and healthcare quality, was graced virtually by JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, alongside distinguished leaders and over 500 healthcare providers. Speakers and attendees included representatives from the National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Social Justice, and top Government and private hospitals

The conference showcased groundbreaking initiatives by NABH, underscoring its leadership in patient safety and healthcare transformation.

Key Announcements at NPSC 2024:

1. E-Mitra Chatbot: A 24/7 AI-powered tool on WhatsApp and the NABH website to streamline accreditation processes.

2. Mitra Physical Centres: Tailored support for small hospitals in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas to promote NABH standards and entry-level certifications.

3. E-Skilling Modules: Interactive training for healthcare management, with digital certificates upon completion.

4. Architects Empanelment: Ensures compliance with NABH safety standards through expert infrastructure planning and design.

Addressing the gathering through a video message, JP Nadda said, “I am honored to be here to celebrate this significant day. Patient Safety transcends the responsibilities of healthcare providers; it should be a global objective. Our systems must be designed with the utmost priority for patient safety. I extend my gratitude to NABH for organizing this Patient Safety Conference, which brings together experts from the healthcare sector to collaborate and advance our shared goals.”

Speaking at the event, Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, QCI, highlighted, ‘The initiatives like the E-Mitra Chatbot, Mitra physical centres, and e-skilling modules, etc. introduced at the conference today will make Indian healthcare more efficient, transparent, and patient-centric. These efforts will play a pivotal role in further strengthening patient safety and elevating the quality of care, especially at the grassroots level in tier 2 and tier 3 cities and villages. Together, we are ensuring that quality healthcare becomes a reality for all, one hospital at a time.’

Chakravarthy T. Kannan, Secretary General, QCI, reinforced the significance of World Patient Safety Day 2024 and said, “We unite in a global call to ‘Get it right, make it safe!’ Patient safety is paramount in building trust between patients and healthcare providers, with the focus this year on enhancing diagnosis. As India gets ready for Viksit Bharat journey, NABH and its healthcare community joins this journey. The focus areas are customer centricity, reaching the last mile and future ready. Our aspiration is Quality healthcare reaching all corners of India.”

Rizwan Koita, Chairperson, NABH, said, “I am honoured to announce the National Patient Safety Conference that is taking place today. This event brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including leaders from hospitals, technology companies, insurance firms, and senior healthcare experts. We are excited to unveil several new initiatives, including the new digital standards for HIS/EMR systems—a key component of our digital transformation strategy to enhance healthcare delivery. We look forward to engaging with all participants as we advance our collective mission to improve patient care and safety.”

Dr. Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO, NABH, said, “We are thrilled to unveil our latest standards and initiatives at the NABH Patient Safety Conference 2024. These advancements, including the new NABH Accreditation Standards and Digital Health Standards, represent our unwavering commitment to improving patient safety, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable healthcare practices. Our goal is to continue setting benchmarks in quality and safety, driving progress across the healthcare landscape.”