Visakhapatnam, 10th April, 2023:  On the occasion of World Health Day, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), and Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) are pleased to announce the launch of the Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme. The scheme aims to ensure the quality of healthcare textiles, including personal protective equipment (PPE), by certifying the facilities that process them.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare textiles and PPE in protecting healthcare workers and patients from infection. However, the quality of these products depends not only on the materials used but also on the processing facilities where they are sterilized, cleaned, and packaged. The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme will help ensure that these facilities meet international standards for quality and safety.

Under the scheme, healthcare textiles processing facilities can apply for certification by undergoing a rigorous evaluation process that includes site visits, documentation reviews, and testing of samples. The certification will be valid for three years, after which the facility will need to undergo a recertification process.

The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme has been developed with the input of experts from AMTZ, AHPI, AiMeD, and other organizations in the healthcare industry. It aligns with international standards and guidelines, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The scheme will cover processing of multiple-use healthcare textiles only as Single-use healthcare textiles are meant for single use only and are a threat to the environment also.

Dr. Jitendar Sharma, CEO of AMTZ, said, “The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme is an important step towards ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare textiles and PPE. We are proud to launch this scheme on World Health Day and hope that it will help protect healthcare workers and patients not only in India but around the world.”

Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General of AHPI, said, “AHPI is committed to promoting quality and safety in healthcare. The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme is a welcome initiative that will help ensure that healthcare textiles and PPE meet international standards.”

Mr. Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of AiMeD, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare textiles and PPE. The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme will help ensure that these products are of high quality and safe to use.”

The Certification would be carried out by independent third party certifying agencies to be accredited as per applicable international standard, ISO 17065, and approved by AMTZ to assure their competence, impartiality and consistent implementation of certification process.

The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme is open for applications from healthcare textiles processing facilities in India and abroad.