MusQan Initiative

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

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

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

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

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

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

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