Introduction
- Launched in 2021 by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission (NHM)
- National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS)-based quality improvement programme
- Focus: Provision of high-quality, safe and child-friendly services in public health facilities for children from birth to 12 years
- Goal: Reduce preventable newborn and child morbidity & mortality through systematic gap closure and certification
Objectives
- Ensure evidence-based, respectful and dignified care with child- and parent-attendant friendly ambience
- Strengthen clinical protocols, referral linkages and follow-up services
- Promote physical, mental and social development of the child
- Achieve measurable improvement in quality of pediatric services at all levels
- Support Universal Health Coverage by closing gaps in access, safety and quality
Target Population & Facilities
- All children birth to 12 years (newborns, infants, under-5 and school-age)
- Facilities covered:
- District Hospitals (DH): 4 departments – Paediatric OPD, Paediatric Ward, SNCU, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)
- Sub-District Hospitals (SDH): 3 departments – Paediatric OPD, Paediatric Ward, SNCU/NBSU
- Functional FRU-CHCs: 2 departments – Paediatric OPD, NBSU/SNCU (if available)
- LaQshya-certified facilities & Medical Colleges: All 4 departments
Key Principles (Child-Friendly Care)
- Child- and family-centred environment (play areas, colourful walls, age-appropriate infrastructure)
- Respectful and dignified care to mother/parent-attendant
- Promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding
- Pain-free procedures with distraction techniques and sucrose analgesia
- Evidence-based protocols aligned with IMNCI, F-IMNCI, RBSK and NTEP paediatric guidelines
- Infection prevention & control with safe injection practices
Implementation Mechanism
- Rapid Improvement (RI) Cycles: 2-month cycles with continuous gap assessment and corrective actions
- Multi-pronged strategy: Observation, staff interview, record review, patient interview
- State & District Quality Assurance Teams for supervision and mentoring
- Baseline assessment → gap analysis → action plan → re-assessment
- Certification pathway: Internal assessment → External assessment → NQAS MusQan certification
- Incentivisation for certified facilities
Integration with National Programmes
- Convergence with RBSK (screening & DEIC referral), SAANS (pneumonia management), Anemia Mukt Bharat, Mission Indradhanush (U-WIN linkage)
- Synergy with LaQshya (labour room quality) and ABDM (digital records & ABHA linkage)
- Linkage with POSHAN, RKSK and NTEP for holistic child health
Monitoring & Certification
- Real-time tracking through NHM portal and ABDM
- Monthly reporting of RI cycle progress
- National & State dashboards for certification status
- Focus on outcome indicators: reduction in neonatal & child mortality, improved patient satisfaction scores