Source: Aga Khan University Press Release
Aga Khan University’s departments of Postgraduate Medical Education, PGME, in Karachi and Nairobi have become the first in South Asia and Africa to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International, ACGME-I.
ACGME-I is a global accreditation body that verifies that medical education institutions, as well as their postgraduate programmes for residents and fellows, meet the highest academic standards. By improving the quality of teaching, learning, research and professional practice, ACGME-I seeks to improve healthcare that ultimately benefits the public.
“The sponsoring institution applications from Aga Khan University in Karachi and Nairobi were awarded initial accreditation in a peer driven review process…” said ACGME-I Executive Director Lorraine Lewis. “Peer reviewers from the US and other ACGME-I-accredited jurisdictions noted the commitment and professionalism that was evident in both submissions, and congratulate faculty and staff at both institutions for their accomplishment.”
AKU’s campuses in Kenya and Pakistan are the only institutions in their respective regions to be recognised by the ACGME-I for having the infrastructure, policies, procedures and support systems to provide top quality graduate medical education to trainee doctors.
Commenting on the news, AKU Medical College, Pakistan, Dean, Dr Adil Haider said: “Investment in our PGME programme has been a key priority over the last two years, and the ACGME-I accreditation is one of the most important initiatives that will allow us to strengthen and grow.
AKU’s medical colleges have produced over 3,800 specialist doctors to date who have helped raise healthcare standards around the world. Over 60 per cent of AKU PGME graduates are currently working at public and private sector hospitals in the countries where they completed their education. More than a third of clinical faculty at AKU are graduates of its own PGME programme.
Commenting on the news, AKU Medical College, East Africa, Dean, Professor Lukoye Atwoli said: “AKU strives for excellence in its medical education programmes and we are very proud of this achievement which is a testament to the international quality standards of our institutional set-up and the programmes we offer. Our ultimate goal is to produce healthcare professionals who are leaders through our unique training programmes, research and innovation, and to support best practice in the delivery of healthcare services across the region.”
All of AKU’s 34 residency programmes and 16 of its fellowship programmes in Pakistan are accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Pakistan. All of AKU’s nine residency programmes and four fellowship programmes in Nairobi are accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
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