EMERGING from its long association with left-wing extremism, Sukma district has marked a significant public health milestone with three healthcare facilities receiving National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The recognition has been conferred on Primary Health Centre Buddi, Ayushman Arogya Mandir Gagpalli and Ayushman Arogya Mandir Kristaram, all located in some of the most remote and sensitive pockets of the district.

 

The achievement represents a rare national-level acknowledgement for health institutions operating amid difficult terrain, security challenges and limited connectivity. Officials said the certification underlines the State Government’s commitment, under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, to ensure that quality healthcare reaches the last person, even in the most inaccessible regions.

 

Despite logistical and geographical constraints, the three centres successfully met stringent national benchmarks, securing more than 70 per cent scores across eight parameters, including service delivery, patient rights, infection prevention and control, clinical care and facility management. The performance places the Sukma centres among the select public health facilities in the country to attain NQAS recognition from conflict affected areas.

 

District officials said a focused administrative strategy was adopted to achieve the standards Under a special action plan aligned with Niyad Nellanar, continuous monitoring ensured uninterrupted availability of medicines and essential equipment in remote locations. Strong emphasis was laid on hospital hygiene, infection control practices and biomedical waste management.

 

A patient-centric approach was also prioritised, ensuring respectful treatment, awareness of patient rights and dignified care. Sukma Collector Amit Kumar, talking to The Hitavada, termed the NQAS recognition a historic moment for the district, stating that national certification for health centres located in Naxal-affected areas reflects the administration’s resolve to drive development through education and healthcare despite formidable challenges.

 

He said the achievement clearly demonstrates that sustained governance, planning and monitoring can deliver measurable outcomes even in the most difficult environments. Explaining the broader impact, the Collector said the National Quality Assurance Standards framework is designed to systematically improve the quality of public healthcare facilities across the country.

 

With the certification now in place, the recognised centres will become eligible for financial incentives from the Central government, which will be utilised for further expansion of services, infrastructure upkeep and strengthening of patient care systems.

 

He added that for local communities, particularly those living in remote forested regions, the certification would translate into improved access to reliable, safe and quality healthcare closer to home. “As Sukma continues its transition from conflict to development, the national recognition of its healthcare institutions signals a deeper and more durable transformation underway,” the District Collector said.