New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS): The government would institutionalise a regulatory authority with full powers to oversee enforcement of all-round quality standards and consumer protection under the National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said Monday.

"NHAM is going to be the biggest ever health outreach with universal health insurance as a strong component. While quantitatively India will leapfrog into a new era, quality should not be compromised. Quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive," he said, addressing a national convention on quality in public health here.

Harsh Vardhan said the expert body headed by Ranjit Ray Choudhury had recommended that the NHAM should be accountable to the people for deficiencies in delivery.

That is why principles of consumer protection would come into play. Safety, effectiveness and positive patient experience would be the key points, he said.

"Why should a government facility be identified with sloth and sloppiness while a private one is identified with reliability? It is time a new culture takes over."

"I want to make transparency, efficiency, compassion and accountability the pillars of the public health system when NHAM is operationalised next year."