Accreditations and Certifications

Care at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is benchmarked against internationally recognised standards for quality and patient safety. This commitment is affirmed by the hospital’s accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI), alongside its laboratory’s dual accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). Selected outreach medical centres have also achieved SafeCare Level 5 certification, the highest rating under the SafeCare framework, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to quality care beyond its main campus.

Joint Commission International ​​(JCI) Accreditation

In 2013, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi became the first hospital in East Africa to receive the coveted Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. The hospital is audited by JCI every 3 years for -reaccreditation and the hospital has successfully been reaccredited since then. The JCI accreditation, administered out of Chicago, USA, is an external validation that AKUH,N is providing the highest quality of patient care and safety in line with international peer hospitals. It is a testimony of our commitment to patient safety and highest quality as measured by international standards. All Outpatient Medical Centres are not accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). The accreditation is only achieved by the main hospital on 3rd Parklands Avenue Nairobi.

International Quality Assurance 9001:2015 Certification

In May 2018, AKUH was re-certified for ISO 9001:2015 by the International Organization for Standardization. This replaced ISO 9001:2008 that the hospital had earlier received.  AKUH was the first hospital in East Africa to receive the prestigious certification which is awarded to organizations that are found to conform fully to standards set for quality management systems.

South African National & Accreditation Service (SANAS) Certification

Aga Khan University Hospital's laboratory has been recertified by SANAS under the new ISO 15189:2022 standard following the reaccreditation audit conducted in November 2024. SANAS oversees the operations and quality systems of medical or healthcare laboratories including the training of personnel and the compliance to consensus-based standards, guidelines, quality systems and patient care.​

College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation

​CAP Inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures, laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. This Accreditation will be recertified every two years​.​

Joint Commission International ​​(JCI) Accreditation - Centre of Excellence in Management of Primary Stroke

In 2021, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N) was accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as a Centre of Excellence for the Management of Acute Primary Stroke, becoming the first hospital in Africa to achieve this prestigious certification. The recognition followed a rigorous Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) audit that assessed compliance with international standards, clinical guidelines, patient safety requirements, and health outcomes for stroke care. The hospital is audited by JCI every three years for re-certification and has successfully maintained its certification status since then.

As part of this achievement, AKUH,N has adopted internationally recognized standards for the management of acute primary stroke, ensuring standardized care, continuous evaluation of patient outcomes, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives. The certification reflects the hospital's commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care guided by the highest safety standards and best clinical practices. This recognition builds on the hospital's strong track record in quality and patient safety, including being the first hospital in the region to receive JCI accreditation in 2013 and earning College of American Pathologists (CAP) laboratory accreditation in 2018.

Joint Commission International ​​(JCI) Accreditation - Centre of Excellence in Management of Heart Attacks

In 2020,  Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N) was certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as a Centre of Excellence for the management of heart attacks, becoming the first hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa and the second in Africa to receive this prestigious certification. The recognition followed a Clinical Care Program Certification audit that assessed compliance with international standards, clinical guidelines, and patient care outcomes.  The hospital is audited by JCI every 3 years for -recertification and the hospital has successfully been recertified since then.

As part of this achievement, AKUH,N has adopted internationally recognized standards for cardiac care, ensuring consistent treatment, continuous evaluation of outcomes, and active engagement of patients and families to improve care delivery. The certification builds on the hospital’s strong track record in quality and patient safety, including being the first hospital in the region to receive JCI accreditation in 2013 and earning College of American Pathologists (CAP) laboratory accreditation in 2018.