Karakulam Sets Benchmark; All Health Institutions in the Panchayat Secure NQAS Accreditation

Thiruvananthapuram: All health institutions under Karakulam Grama Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district have secured National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) accreditation, making it the first grama panchayat in Kerala where every public health facility has earned national-level quality recognition.

The milestone was completed after the Karakulam Family Health Centre received NQAS re-accreditation. Along with it, the six public health centres under the panchayat - Kachani, Karakulam, Karakulam Main Centre, Chittazha, Kallayam and Enikkara - were also granted NQAS certification, bringing all institutions under one umbrella of quality standards.

The achievement comes as part of the state’s drive to upgrade public healthcare institutions, following directions from Health Minister Veena George. Infrastructure was improved in line with NQAS norms, and focused training was provided to staff, ASHA workers and elected representatives. Regular monthly reviews were conducted to assess performance, and gaps identified during evaluations were corrected within fixed timelines.

The Karakulam Family Health Centre, which operates from 9 am to 6 pm for outpatient services, now functions with strengthened systems and facilities. It has a modern laboratory and a physiotherapy unit. Preventive activities, including communicable disease control, screening for lifestyle diseases and public awareness programmes, are carried out in a structured manner. Mechanisms have also been put in place to ensure home visits, continuity of care and timely distribution of medicines.

Describing the achievement as a significant step for local self-governments, the Health Minister congratulated the healthcare teams and local body representatives whose coordinated efforts led to this state-first recognition.