Conflict zone to care hub, Sukma takes health leap

Raipur: From being known as a Maoist stronghold to earning a place on the country's health map, the transformative story of Chhattisgarh's Sukma district has now achieved deserving national recognition. Three health facilities from some of the most remote and insurgency-hit pockets of Sukma have been awarded the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification by the Union ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Buddi primary health centre, and the Ayushman arogya mandirs at Gaganpalli and Kistaram now stand as the new NQAS-certified centres of Sukma. The centres were assessed on eight stringent parameters, including service provision, patient rights, infection control and support services, and secured more than 70% marks, qualifying them for NQAS certification. Officials said this performance demonstrates that even in conflict-affected regions, public health institutions can match national standards if systems are strengthened and monitored consistently.District officials said the recognition is more than just a quality stamp as the centres have emerged as reliable healthcare facilities for those at the bottom of the pyramid and the transformation is starting to reflect on the ground. Calling it a ‘historic achievement' for the district, Sukma collector Amit Kumar said getting three healthcare facilities from some of the most sensitive locations in the district certified under NQAS underlines the development priorities of the local administration.He said the recognition shows that the district is not only expanding physical infrastructure, but also improving quality of care, especially in education and health, to drive long-term change in conflict-hit areas.The National Quality Assurance Standards framework is a rigorous system to improve the quality of services in public health facilities. It looks at clinical protocols, patient safety, record-keeping, cleanliness and community feedback, among other criteria. According to the district administration, a focused action plan was prepared under the ‘Niyad Nellanar' initiative to upgrade these facilities beyond basic access to healthcare. Special emphasis was laid on ensuring uninterrupted availability of medicines, consumables and essential equipment in these remote centres. Cleanliness, safe waste disposal and bio-medical waste management were treated as priority areas, with regular checks and staff sensitisation.Staff were also trained to ensure that patients not only receive treatment, but their rights, dignity and privacy are respected, officials said.With NQAS certification, the three facilities in Sukma will now be eligible for financial incentives from the Union government.