Gurgaon: Haryana has introduced a graded system of action against staff at govt hospitals and health centres that fail to secure National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification for their facilities. The measures include show-cause notices after three months, transfer recommendations after six months and withholding of annual salary increments after nine months.The policy, notified by the health department on Oct 19, aims to ensure all govt health facilities achieve certification by Dec 2026. NQAS is an annual exercise that assesses whether healthcare facilities provide safe, effective and patient-centred services. Civil surgeons and district quality nodal officers will inspect facilities every quarter and identify gaps that need to be addressed.Under the guidelines, a civil surgeon will first certify that a facility has adequate infrastructure, equipment, medicines, fire safety installations and manpower. Once infrastructure readiness is certified, the facility will be given three months to secure NQAS certification. If it fails to do so, the in-charge and staff will receive show-cause notices.If certification is still not achieved within six months, the failure will be recorded in the annual performance reports of the facility head, senior medical officers, medical officers and staff. The policy also provides for recommending the transfer of the facility head.If there is no progress within nine months, annual salary increments of the facility head and medical and paramedical staff can be withheld through a formal order, after giving them an opportunity to be heard.The policy provides for an appellate forum comprising the mission director, National Health Mission, Haryana; director general of health services (DGHS), Haryana; and executive director of Haryana State Health Resource Centre (HSHRC), Panchkula. The action will apply to employees continuously posted at the facility for more than three months during the relevant period.Under the guidelines, civil surgeons must report infrastructure deficiencies to the DGHS every quarter. If gaps remain unresolved for three quarters, they can recommend action against the officials responsible.Each infrastructure gap must have a written completion deadline for the agency concerned, including Haryana Medical Systems Corporation Limited and the Public Works Department. Delays beyond the deadline will invite action against responsible officials.The policy also provides for annual random counter-verification of 10% of such cases by the DGHS and HSHRC.The govt has allowed 25% of NQAS certification incentive funds to be used for staff welfare, including improving canteens, rest rooms, duty rooms and training facilities. Funds can also be used for libraries, workshops, continuing medical education and audio-visual equipment, with spending limits varying according to the level of the healthcare facility.Facility heads and staff who secure certification early may receive outstanding or excellent entries in their annual performance reports, appreciation letters or commendation certificates.The notification prescribes implementation periods of 20 days for Ayushman Arogya Mandir – Sub‑Centres, one month for primary health centres and urban primary health centres, two months for community health centres and three months for district hospitals. These are average periods and do not amount to any relaxation of NQAS standards.The policy was issued by the additional chief secretary to the Haryana govt’s health department, Dr Sumita Misra.
