Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)
In a momentous achievement, the Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Garden and the Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Kharadar have secured the highly prestigious SafeCare Level 5 certification. This remarkable milestone follows the successful certification of the Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karimabad, and the Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre, Hyderabad, in December 2022. With this latest accomplishment, all off-campus hospitals under the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) network, Pakistan proudly hold the distinction of being SafeCare certified.
The SafeCare initiative, a collaborative endeavour between PharmAccess, Joint Commission International (JCI), and the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA), stands at the forefront of elevating healthcare standards in low- and middle-income countries. It addresses the persistent challenge of limited access to high-quality care by incorporating internationally accredited standards and providing a rigorous framework for assessing and enhancing healthcare quality.
The evaluation process conducted during the SafeCare audit between 15 to 16 August 2023 at the Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Garden and from 17 to 18 August 2023 at the Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Kharadar meticulously tested our hospitals’ compliance with the protocols aligned with SafeCare’s patient care standards.
A team of dedicated auditors thoroughly conducted the SafeCare assessment. At the Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Garden, two on-site assessors and two online observers participated in the audit process. At the Aga Khan for Women and Children, Kharadar, two on-site assessors, one virtual assessor, and multiple virtual observers participated in the audit. The conclusion drawn from these assessments is truly exceptional; both hospitals have successfully attained the level 5 certification after thorough assessment against 13 Service Elements, 170 Standards, and 680 other measurable criteria, which serve as the stringent prerequisites for attaining the highest level of SafeCare certification – Level 5.
Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of AKU, expressed his profound enthusiasm, stating, “It’s crucial to recognize that all AKUH’s off-campus hospitals hold SafeCare level 5 certification, while our main campus at Stadium Road has maintained JCI accreditation since 2006 and continues to uphold this standard. These certifications and accreditations are testament to our unwavering commitment to offering the highest quality standards of healthcare services to our patients as per the international best practices.”
Dr Farhat Abbas, CEO of AKU Health Services, Pakistan, emphasized, “This is a remarkable moment for the Aga Khan University and its Hospitals, and it underscores our commitment to delivering excellence in healthcare. Achieving SafeCare Level 5 certification is a testament to the dedication of our staff and our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of patient care.”
Earning Level 5 certification is a remarkable feat, achievable only by institutions that consistently demonstrate high-quality standards across the full spectrum of SafeCare Service Elements. This certification signifies that Aga Khan Hospitals have consistently upheld exceptional standards across various aspects of patient care, safety, and overall healthcare service delivery. Additionally, it reflects our commitment to not merely meeting but surpassing stringent benchmarks.
Dr Mairaj Shah – Chief Operating Officer, AKUH Off-Campus Hospitals noted, “The SafeCare Level 5 Certification is not just an acknowledgment of our hospitals’ excellence, it’s a reflection of our core values and our relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care. We understand the importance of providing safe and high-quality healthcare, and this certification reaffirms our commitment to our patients and communities.”
The SafeCare certification serves as a resounding endorsement that health facilities provided by AKUH adhere to internationally recognized quality and safety standards. Moreover, it also stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering dedication of the Aga Khan Hospitals in delivering the highest standards of healthcare services to its patients.
