Kottakkal Family Health Center in Malappuram district has been recognized as the best primary health center in the country. The center achieved 99% score  in the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) evaluation. This accomplishment highlights the center's excellence in outpatient services, laboratory services, national health programs, administration, facilities, core services, and preventive care. Kottakkal Family Health Center has set a high standard for hygiene, patient-friendliness, and waste management.

NQAS provides accreditation by evaluating around 6,500 checkpoints in 8 categories: Service Provision, Patient Rights, Inputs, Supportive Services, Clinical Services, Infection Control, Quality Management, and Outcomes. Quality standards of hospitals are ensured after district-level, state-level, and national-level inspections. NQAS recognizes institutions that achieve more than 70 percent marks in each of these categories.

The Health Department is implementing an action plan to raise hospitals to national standards with the cooperation of people's representatives and local self-governing institutions. A total of 175 hospitals have achieved NQAS accreditation, and 76 hospitals have been re-accredited in the state. Five District Hospitals, four Taluk Hospitals, nine Community Health Centres, 41 Urban Family Health Centers, and 116 Family Health Centers have been accredited by NQAS.