Gandhinagar, June 26 (IANS) In a remarkable milestone for advancing the healthcare landscape in Gujarat, three Ayushman Bharat health centres in Gandhinagar alone have earned a ‘certificate of appreciation’ for providing quality primary healthcare services to thousands of residents at their doorstep.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has awarded the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certificate to three Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Shahpur, Kantha, and Veda for excellent healthcare services.

These health centres have met 12 key standards, including facilities for oral healthcare, primary eye, ear, nose, and throat care, antenatal and maternity services, neonatal and child health services, mental healthcare, non-communicable disease management, and the distribution of free medicines to patients.

Many residents who availed these facilities said they received a slew of services, including medical consultations, lab testing, and medicines, free of cost at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

A resident, Hitendra Rathod, said, “If there is any problem, one can get primary care. Treatment for conditions like malaria and tuberculosis is available. Doctors treat everyone here, and ambulance services are also provided when needed.”

Sangeetaben Prajapati said, “All facilities are available, we get medicines for blood pressure and diabetes. Treatment for common ailments is also provided.”

A team from the Union Health Ministry recently conducted a virtual assessment of these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and the centres were found to meet all 12 standards. These centres not only provide medical services under national health programs — such as tuberculosis elimination and vector-borne disease control — but also offer free screening for non-communicable diseases, such as blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

Dr Kirti Das Chaudhary of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir stated, “Twelve types of services are available here. We conduct 14 types of on-site lab tests. All national health program activities are carried out here, including programs aimed at preventing infectious diseases.”

Dr Zahid stated that this certification is awarded by the Government of India under the National Quality Assurance Standards. The assessment process involves a team representing six different departments.

The National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), under the Ministry of Health, periodically assesses Primary Health Centres across the country. In this process, these health centres in Gandhinagar achieved an overall score of over 90 per cent.

District Quality Assurance Medical Officer Dr Dharmesh V. Parikh told newsmen that they have successfully met the checklists and criteria established by the authorities.

This achievement by three Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Gandhinagar is set to inspire other districts in the state, as they work towards the commitment of a ‘Healthy Gujarat, Prosperous Gujarat.’

–IANS

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