Improving the health of mothers and children continues to be a priority under National Health Mission. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India launched an ambitious program LaQshya in 2017 with objective of reducing maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality by Improving quality of care around birth in Labour rooms, Maternity Operation Theatres, Obstetrics Intensive Care Units (ICUs) & High Dependency Units (HDUs). This program has been initiated in high delivery load facilities of Bihar including 143 facilities of 13 aspirational districts.  During FY -2020-21 Labour room & Maternity OT of District Hospital-Moitihari, East Champaran has been qualified for state level assessment.

Government of Bihar has been actively following the due processes and getting its facilities LaQshya certified. Quality Improvement in labour room and maternity OT is being assessed through National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). Every facility achieving 70% score on NQAS is certified as LaQshya certified facility.

NIPI has been supporting State of Bihar to achieve LaQshya certification by conducting gap analysis, periodic assessments and sharing plans for improvement with the facilities. State Health Society, Bihar has entrusted NIPI, along with other development partners, with the task of conducting state level assessment of LR & OT in District hospitals and other health facilities selected under LaQshya program. NIPI has been asked specifically to support state level assessment in aspirational districts.

NIPI team supported the State Health Society, Bihar for conducting state level assessment of labor room and Maternity OT of District Hospital- Motihari.

Two-member committee comprising member from NIPI & CARE visited DH-Motihari on 12^th & 13^th February, 2021 for assessment. Opening meeting was held in the chairmanship of Deputy Superintendent, Hospital Manager, Labor room Circle in charge, OT circle in charge and staff nurses posted in LR & maternity OT.

Assessment was completed by using standard checklist focusing on key 8 areas (service provision, patient rights, inputs, support services, clinical services, infection control, quality management and outcomes). The Govt. of India has set 70% of standards accomplished in each of these eight areas as the selection criteria for certification of a health facility under the quality improvement initiative. During the assessment, the facility achieved more than 70% score in all key areas and got state certification and for further recommended for National certification.