The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Pakistan has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its heart bypass surgery and senile (age-related) cataract surgery programmes, demonstrating continuous compliance with international performance standards.
Recognised as a global benchmark for quality, the JCI Gold Seal of Approval affirms AKUH’s sustained commitment to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.
The certifications cover two critical areas of care: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, commonly known as heart bypass surgery, and Senile Cataract Surgery, which addresses the natural, age-related clouding of the eye’s lens.
AKUH underwent a rigorous audit by Joint Commission International in early April 2026. The evaluation included direct observation and interviews, assessing compliance with multiple standards of care, the use of clinical outcomes and performance measures, and efforts to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for recovery after discharge.
“This certification reflects our commitment to delivering the highest standards of care to our patients,” said Dr Farhat Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, AKUH Health System, Pakistan. “Our teams work tirelessly to meet these rigorous standards, ensuring that every patient is supported by a system built on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.”
This achievement places AKUH among a select group of hospitals globally. It is only the second hospital in the world to receive Clinical Care Programme Certification (CCPC) for senile cataract surgery, and one of just three globally to achieve this distinction for heart bypass surgery.
“Achieving programme certification requires continuous evaluation and transparency across every stage of care delivery,” said Dr Mairaj Shah, Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer. “It reflects a sustained commitment to quality improvement and patient safety – not as a one-time milestone, but as a standard to be maintained.”
By securing these certifications, AKUH continues to bring globally benchmarked standards of care to the communities it serves, reinforcing trust and advancing the quality of healthcare in Pakistan.
