The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a part of the Quality Council of India (QCI), hosted the NABH Patient Safety Conference (NPSC 2024) on World Patient Safety Day, September 17, 2024. The event, focused on advancing patient safety and healthcare quality, was attended by over 500 healthcare providers and representatives from the National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Social Justice, and major hospitals.
During the conference, NABH introduced several initiatives aimed at improving patient safety and healthcare standards. These included the launch of the E-Mitra Chatbot, a 24/7 AI-powered tool available on WhatsApp and the NABH website, designed to streamline the accreditation process. Additionally, Mitra Physical Centres were announced to support small hospitals in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas, promoting NABH standards and entry-level certifications. The introduction of e-skilling modules will provide interactive training for healthcare management, with digital certificates awarded upon completion. An architects empanelment program was also revealed to ensure infrastructure complies with NABH safety standards.
JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, addressed the conference through a video message. He stated, “I am honoured 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.”
Jaxay Shah, Chairperson of QCI, highlighted the importance of the new initiatives, stating, “The NABH Patient Safety Conference aligns with the vision of ‘One Earth, One Health,’ championed by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The initiatives like the E-Mitra Chatbot, Mitra physical centres, and e-skilling modules introduced at the conference today will make Indian healthcare more efficient, transparent, and patient-centric.”
Chakravarthy T. Kannan, Secretary General of QCI, emphasised the significance of World Patient Safety Day 2024. He said, “Patient safety is paramount in building trust between patients and healthcare providers, with the focus this year on enhancing diagnosis. Our aspiration is quality healthcare reaching all corners of India.”
Rizwan Koita, Chairperson of NABH, announced the launch of the National Patient Safety Conference and discussed the importance of the new digital standards for HIS/EMR systems. “This event brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including leaders from hospitals, technology companies, 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.”
Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO of NABH, concluded the event by introducing the latest NABH Accreditation Standards and Digital Health Standards. “These advancements represent our 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,” he said.