Directorate Healthcare Quality and Safety (DHQS) was established in 2012. It is the national focal point that implements healthcare quality assurance programme of the country. It is functioned under the theme of ‘A centrally driven, locally lead, clinically oriented, patient centered, continuous quality improvement.
At present, its activities are carried out according to National policy on Healthcare Quality and Safety (2015). Functions of the DHQS are carried under seven key result areas, namely
- Customer/patient satisfaction.
- Managerial system and process improvement.
- Clinical effectiveness.
- Risk management and safety.
- Enabling culture for Quality improvement.
- Staff Development and welfare.
- Research for Quality improvement and patient safety.
DHQS has a national wide network with Quality Management Units (QMU) established in base hospital type b and above hospitals and offices of Regional Director Health Services. QMU is responsible to execute the quality assurance programme at the respective institutes.
