MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 5 July 2006

India selects Australian health care accreditation

India has selected the Australian model to support progress of Indian health care accreditation. As of today, the Australian framework will be recognised in India. 

Representatives from Austrade and the office of the Consulate General of India visited the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards in Sydney to mark the agreement between:

·          ACHS (the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards) International Pty Ltd along with Quality Healthcare Australia, and

·          the Quality Council of India along with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers from India.

Mr G Gyani, the Secretary General of the Quality Council of India commented on the shared intent of the organisations. “Since accreditation was the need of the (health) industry ‘as of yesterday’, collaboration with the ACHS is intended to speed up the time lost.”

Mr S Das the Co-Chair of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers cited the ‘increasing role of health insurance and the consideration of consumer/ patient rights as the predominant factors in creating demand for health care accreditation in India.’

 “This agreement is a clear sign that Australian accreditation is respected throughout the world,” commented Dr Michael Hodgson AM, President, ACHS International Pty Ltd.

“The collaboration not only involves Australia providing services and support to India in developing a local program. Ultimately the Australian framework will benefit from the lessons of our colleagues in India - a country with around 20,000 hospitals,” concluded Dr Hodgson.

For further information: Megan Taylor, Manager, Communications, ACHS International on 0416 280 826.

ACHS International Pty Ltd

5 Macarthur Street Ultimo NSW Australia

t 61 2 9281 9955  f 61 2 9211 9633 e achsi@achs.org.au w http://www.achsi.org