The government announced that as of December 31, a total of 50,373 public health facilities nationwide have been certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This achievement is a significant milestone in enhancing the quality of public healthcare services, according to the Health Ministry.
India’s public health system has reached a noteworthy milestone with over 50,000 NQAS certifications, showcasing the government’s dedication to quality, safety, and patient-centered care. This progress is a crucial step towards ensuring equal access to high-quality healthcare for all citizens, especially those who are economically disadvantaged or marginalized.
The NQAS initiative commenced in 2015 with just 10 certified healthcare facilities, primarily focusing on District Hospitals to deliver safe, patient-centric, and quality-assured services. The framework has since expanded to include various healthcare facilities, such as Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, ensuring quality assurance at all levels of public healthcare.
The implementation of Virtual Assessments for NQAS certification has significantly broadened quality coverage throughout India’s public health system. The number of certified facilities has surged from 6,506 in December 2023 to 22,786 in December 2024, and further to 50,373 by December 2025, demonstrating substantial growth within a year.
India’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, as outlined in the National Health Policy 2017, underscores the importance of providing quality, affordable healthcare without causing financial burden. The rapid expansion of NQAS reflects the adoption of diverse acceleration strategies, including ongoing capacity building, digital innovations, increased assessors, and continuous quality enhancement efforts.
