Patient Safety Takes Centre Stage: Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO, NABH

Tell us about the role of NABH in developing patient safety in India. 

Patient safety holds a significant lesson for us in India. Prior to 2005, the concept of patient safety or policy existed mainly in textbooks, confined to paper. However, with the formation of NABH (National Accreditation Board for Healthcare Providers and Private Companies) under the TC umbrella in 2006, a transformative change occurred. NABH, an autonomous national accreditation board, has been progressively raising standards since the release of its initial standards. These standards have gained global acceptance, validation, and further aggregation by its umbrella body.  

What are NABH’s achievements in fostering a culture of patient safety in India? 

NABH's standards revolve around a comprehensive framework of patient safety and healthcare quality. Today, we proudly run approximately 25 programmes, starting with that initial programme. Over the past 18 years, we have reached out to 70,000 hospitals, both large and small, not only in India but also in eight other countries. Our influence extends to various corners of the globe, including the Philippines, Oman, the Middle East, and several South American countries, where our standards have garnered significant favour.  

What is the future outlook for patient safety in Indian healthcare?  

While acknowledging that we have not yet reached the pinnacle of success, it is undeniably a monumental achievement. India has now fostered a culture of patient safety that is poised for further growth. The demand from consumers for patient safety and quality healthcare is evident, and going forward, I am confident that this trend will continue to gain momentum. Patients will increasingly assert their right to safe and high-quality healthcare, solidifying our commitment to patient safety as an essential aspect of healthcare provision.  

The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programmes for healthcare organisations. The board is structured to set benchmarks for the progress of the health industry.  

Its vision is to be the apex national healthcare accreditation and quality improvement body, functioning at par with global benchmarks. Its mission includes operating accreditation and allied programmes in collaboration with stakeholders, focusing on patient safety and quality of healthcare based upon national/international standards, through a process of internal and external evaluation.