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​FMIC first in Afghanistan to receive SafeCare certification for high-quality healthcare​

December 7, 2022

Dari version (به زبان دری بخوانید)​ 

​Kabul, December 9, 2022: FMIC is the first hospital in Afghanistan to receive Level 5 SafeCare certification. FMIC is managed by the Aga Khan University (AKU)- an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). 

SafeCare---Level-5-Certificate_A3.jpgAn initiative of PharmAccess, Joint Commission International (JCI), and Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA), SafeCare is a methodology with international accredited standards, a​iming to improve quality care in low- and middle-income countries, where 3.6 million people die every year because of low quality care. Level 5 status is given to institutions that demonstrate high-quality standards across the SafeCare Service Elements. 

While acknowledging the tireless efforts and dedication of the FMIC team, CEO Aziz Ahmad Jan termed SafeCare certification as a reward for the high-quality healthcare services being offered by FMIC over the past 16 years. “This is not the end, rather the beginning of a new journey for FMIC as an innovator, a role model and a source of knowledge that raises the standard of care and professionalism within FMIC and other health facilities in Afghanistan and beyond,” he said.

“SafeCare certification is an endorsement that a health facility has met certain internationally recognized quality and safety standards for patient care,” said Dr Farhat Abbas, interim Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan University (AKU) Health Services in Pakistan.

Besides FMIC; three other AKDN entities in Pakistan also received the same certification. 

“We are committed to providing patient safety and quality healthcare. With the addition of four hospitals in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the number of SafeCare-certified facilities in the AKDN health system has reached 38, including 34 medical centres in Kenya and Tanzania,” said Dr Zeenat Sulaiman, Global Head of Quality, Clinical Programmes and Projects at AKHS.

Poor healthcare in low- and middle-income countries leads to millions of preventable deaths each year. However, these countries historically have a shortage of institutions that rate, improve and incentivize healthcare quality. This is the gap where SafeCare steps in to intervene and innovate.

PharmAccess CEO Nicole Spieker welcomed the first ever SafeCare-certified hospital in Afghanistan.

“For better patient care and safety, PharmAccess will continue to expand and scale its SafeCare programme to support healthcare facilities offering primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in different regions. The Aga Khan hospitals have demonstrated that with dedication, quality of care is possible everywhere,” she said.

Dr Bashir Sakhizada, Medical Director- FMIC thanked the PharmAccess’ quality team for working and supporting the hospitals throughout the certification process.

About FMIC

FMIC was established as an innovative four-way public-private partnership between the Governments of Afghanistan and France, La Chaine de l’Espoir “Chain of Hope”, and AKDN. The Aga Khan University is managing this facility as part of AKDN initiative. FMIC is a 171-bed tertiary care hospital for adults, mothers and children, located in Kabul, Afghanistan providing access to Afghans from across 34 provinces with exemplary healthcare services.  FMIC diagnostics offer high-end imaging and state-of-the-art laboratory services; meeting the emergent needs of the Afghan populace. FMIC offers subsidized care through its Patient Welfare Support Programme to patients with no wherewithal to afford the cost of services. Between April 2006 and December 2021, FMIC has disbursed $44.1M in patient welfare support to over 635,000 patients. FMIC serves over 300,000 patients annually.  Furthermore, FMIC has established a 40-bed Women’s and Children’s house to host ultra-poor patients and provide 100% free care including housing and transportation facilities. www.fmic.org.af  

For more information, please contact:

Sultan Ahmed, Manager Resource Development, Communications & Marketing, FMIC 

Tel: +93(0) 79 07008 Email: sultan.ahmed@fmic.org.af 

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