Ranchi, June 22: Recognition from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (Nabh) could pave the way for medical tourism in Jharkhand.

The concept of accreditation to hospitals for better treatment was discussed at an awareness campaign launched by the Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital here today.

Nabh principal consultant V.K. Singh said not all hospitals could match up to the high standard prescribed by the board. However, those institutions that have accreditation from Nabh are centres of excellence and patients from across the country come here for treatment. Insurance companies also prefer hospitals rated by Nabh. This will help medical health tourism flourish, Singh explained.

Ophthalmologist and director of Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital, Bharati Kashyap, said to get hospitals accredited, it should have 11 sub-committees. The committees are responsible for the overall working of the institution. There are committees for safety, infection control, quality management, human resources management, information system and ethics, Kashyap added.

The eye specialist further pointed out that Nabh stands for very high standards of service. This will automatically improve the health sector in the state.

Quality expected from hospitals can only be tested when they have accreditation. Nabh is not a concept only for private hospitals and government hospitals. Other units can also get the accredited if they fulfil the criteria, Kashyap said.

Singh, while addressing the participants at the workshop, said the government of Delhi and Gujarat is working to ensure state-run hospitals are up to the mark. The government has vast funds and can manage personnel properly to get such recognition. This will improve the quality of treatment and people will benefit at large, Singh added.

Nabh guidelines include a highly-developed work culture in the hospital, along with the basic infrastructure of the institution. The hospital should have a hi-tech infection control system with specialised personnel for doing various jobs.

Human resource management in the hospital is also an important criterion when it comes to meeting Nabh standards, Singh explained.

Patients need to be more aware these days. Everyone wants quality treatment and can choose from the best. An Nabh accredited hospital guarantees specialised and quality service to patients, Kashyap said.

“The hospital has to pass through quality check tools to qualify for an accreditation,” Kashyap said.