LaQshya program launched to improve quality of maternity care

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched LaQshya program aimed at improving quality of maternity care in labour room and maternity Operation Theatre (OT). It is being implemented to ‘fast-track’ interventions for achieving tangible results.

Key Facts

The program aims to improve quality of care for pregnant women in labour room, maternity Operation Theatre and Obstetrics Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and High Dependency Units (HDUs). It is implemented at all Medical College Hospitals, District Hospitals and First Referral Unit (FRU) and Community Health Center (CHCs).
Under it, multi-pronged strategy has been adopted such as improving infrastructure up-gradation, ensuring availability of essential equipment, providing adequate human resources, capacity building of health care workers and improving quality processes in labour room.

Significance

• It will benefit every pregnant woman and new-born delivering in public health institutions.
• It will reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
• It will improve quality of care during delivery and immediate post-partum period and enhance satisfaction of beneficiaries.
• It will provide Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) to all pregnant women attending public health facilities.

LaQshya certification

The NQAS (National Quality Assurance Standards) will monitor quality improvement in labour room and maternity OT. Every facility achieving 70% score on NQAS will be certified as LaQshya certified facility.
Facilities scoring more than 90%, 80% and 70% will be given Platinum, Gold and Silver badge accordingly. Facilities achieving NQAS certification, defined quality indicators and 80% satisfied beneficiaries will be provided financial incentives.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2018