- The memorandum endorsed by NABH CEO Dr. Atul Kochar asserts that Ayush doctors should not be permitted to formulate autonomous orders and perform clinical tasks. They should not be included in direct patient care. “Any violation of this may invite adverse decision including withdrawal of accreditation,” states the notice.
THD NewsDesk, Nagpur: The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers (NABH) has published a warning notification to allopathic hospitals throughout the nation to not delegate Ayush doctors (mostly Ayurveda practitioners) as Resident Medical Officers (RMOs).
The memorandum endorsed by NABH CEO Dr. Atul Kochar asserts that Ayush doctors should not be permitted to formulate autonomous orders and perform clinical tasks. They should not be included in direct patient care. “Any violation of this may invite adverse decision including withdrawal of accreditation,” states the notice.
NABH accreditation is recognized as a prestigious acknowledgment of the health care quality in India. More than 1,500 hospitals in the nation have entry-level NABH certification, while 700-plus hospitals have accreditation. This quantity is 80-odd in Maharashtra. As far as Nagpur is concerned, eight hospitals have NABH accreditation, while 15 have NABS certification (entry-level).
As the State laws suggest, non-MBBS doctors (Ayurveda or Ayush) can be appointed in hospitals. Many of the hospitals in Maharashtra have Ayurveda doctors appointed as RMOs. But, NABH regards this ‘very much against patient safety norms’ and ‘compromise quality of modern medicine clinical care.’
“NABH has taken serious note of this matter, and it is reiterated that deploying of Ayush doctors in allopathic hospitals for writing independent orders and clinical work without the supervision of allopathic doctors is not permitted. Further, if allopathic hospitals are employing Ayush doctors to work as clinical assistants, as per the applicable state laws, they should not be involved in direct patient care and should strictly follow job responsibilities as defined by hospital management. Ayush doctors working in NABH applicant allopathy hospitals will not be considered as RMOs during the process of assessment and for grant of accreditation,” reads the notice.
“It was a much-needed decision, and it will ultimately improve quality and safety of services,” said Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar, treasurer of the World Medical Association.
Dr. Vinky Rughwani, vice-president of Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), said that the NABH rules are getting stricter for small hospitals. “It’s a welcome move technically, but difficult to follow practically for smaller clinics. Many of them will lose the opportunity of getting NABH certification,” said Dr. Rughwani.
Source: TOI