The JIPMER Rural Health Centre (JRHC) at Ramanathapuram, functioning under the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (P&SM), JIPMER, Puducherry, has achieved a remarkable milestone by receiving National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification following a rigorous national-level external assessment with a score of 91.05%.
The National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) framework, developed by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is a national-level accreditation system that evaluates the quality of public health facilities across India. It assesses performance across eight critical domains — service provision, patient rights, inputs, support services, clinical care, infection control, quality management, and outcomes. Facilities meeting these standards are certified for their ability to deliver safe, effective, and patient-friendly healthcare. An NQAS-certified institution is authorized to display the NQAS logo, becomes a benchmark for quality primary care, and receives financial incentives to sustain and enhance quality improvement initiatives.
With this achievement, JRHC has become the first Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) in the Union Territory of Puducherry to receive NQAS certification — marking a significant step in strengthening quality primary health care delivery in the region. The JIPMER Urban Health Centre (JUHC), Kurusukuppam, which has also excelled in its state-level assessments will undergo the forthcoming national-level evaluation.
Speaking on this achievement, Dr. Vir Singh Negi, Director, JIPMER, said, “This recognition is a proud moment for JIPMER and a testament to our continuous pursuit of quality and innovation in primary health care delivery. The Rural and Urban Health Centres reflect JIPMER’s integrated approach to community-based health services and training. I commend the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine for its dedicated leadership, innovation, and teamwork that have made this milestone possible.”
Community-Centred Primary Health Model
The Rural Health Centre, Ramanathapuram, a 24X7 facility caters to over 11,200 residents across four villages — Ramanathapuram, Thondamanatham, Thuthipet, and Pillayarkuppam — while the Urban Health Centre, Kurusukuppam, serves a population of around 9,000. Both centres operate as Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, delivering a comprehensive package of primary health care services. In addition to routine outpatient and emergency care, antenatal, child, and immunization clinics, they offer specialized services such as high-risk pregnancy, NCD, adolescent, geriatric, mental health, dental, ophthalmology, and tobacco cessation clinics. The centres also conduct weekly yoga sessions, teleconsultation services, outreach clinics, and community awareness programmes aligned with national health initiatives.