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 The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) has announced the successful launch of India’s first structured healthcare supply chain certification, the Certified Healthcare Supply Chain Professional (CHSCP).
The specialised certification programme is aimed at transforming healthcare supply chain management in India. Designed to standardise practices and build professional expertise, the initiative seeks to strengthen procurement efficiency, ensure quality compliance, and enhance the overall resilience of healthcare supply systems across hospitals and allied sectors.
Dr. Vijay Agarwal, Emeritus president, CAHO, Dr Lallu Joseph, president, CAHO, Krishan Batra, CEO, ISM-India and Dr. Parag Rindani, secretary general, CAHO, officially announced the unveiling of the CHSCP programme on April 12, 2026, during the CAHOCON Chennai. The ceremony was had the presence of former Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu as the Chief Guest.
The objective is to professionalise the healthcare workforce through globally benchmarked, specialized training, drive the transition toward value-based procurement and clinical integration and foster resilient and sustainable supply chains capable of navigating the increasing complexities of the modern healthcare ecosystem, said Dr. Chandran Vinoth Kumar who has been has been re-elected as Chairperson, Healthcare Supply Chain Leaders Forum.
He said that the timing of this launch carries profound strategic weight. Exactly one year prior, at CAHOCON 2025 in New Delhi which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, CAHO introduced the Healthcare Supply Chain Leaders Forum, India’s inaugural platform dedicated to this critical vertical.
The CAHO leadership has officially designated April 12 as ‘Healthcare Supply Chain Management Day.’ It serves as a formal recognition of the supply chain's direct impact on quality, patient safety, clinical outcomes and sustainability, providing a dedicated platform for the healthcare supply chain professionals. By institutionalizing this day, CAHO reinforces that specialized supply chain expertise is not just an administrative function, but a clinical necessity where efficiency translates directly into lives saved, he added.
Following the Governing Council Elections held in March 2026, Dr Kumar has been instrumental in the Forum’s rapid evolution, having steered the initiative as its inaugural chairperson since its inception on April 12, 2025, said the communication note.
Healthcare Supply Chain Leaders Forum note stated that under Dr Kumar’s leadership, the Forum has established a formidable presence across the country through a robust network of state, zonal, and city representatives. It expanded into neighbouring regions and international territories, including Nepal, Malaysia, and the GCC, positioning the Forum as a regional powerhouse for supply chain excellence.
The CHSCP certification is the result of a strategic partnership between CAHO and ISM-India, an affiliate of the Institute for Supply Management, USA, the world’s oldest and largest supply management body said Healthcare Supply Chain Leaders Forum
Through this initiative, CAHO continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of Indian healthcare, ensuring that the backbone of our medical institutions, the supply chain is managed by a cadre of world-class, certified professionals, said the communication note.
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