Accreditations

Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Main Campus and Outreach Network have been accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) since 2006, when AKUH became the first hospital and health network to achieve JCI accreditation in Pakistan. In 2015, AKUH became the first hospital in Pakistan to receive JCI accreditation as an Academic Medical Centre. JCI accreditation is widely recognised as a global benchmark for quality and patient safety, with rigorous standards covering clinical care, patient safety, infection prevention, medication management, governance, and continuous quality improvement.

In April 2026, AKUH achieved another JCI milestone, becoming the first hospital in Pakistan and South Asia to receive JCI Clinical Care Programme Certification for both heart bypass surgery and age-related cataract surgery. The certification followed a comprehensive evaluation of the patient journey, including clinical care, outcomes, patient education, and post-discharge care, providing further independent recognition of AKUH's commitment to safe, high-quality, and patient-centred care.

College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation

In 2017, AKUH Clinical Laboratories became the first in Pakistan to achieve accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). CAP accreditation involves rigorous assessment of laboratory processes, quality systems, equipment, personnel, and testing practices. For patients and clinicians, it provides assurance that laboratory results are produced through processes that meet internationally recognised standards for accuracy, reliability, and patient safety.

SafeCare Level 5 Certification

AKUH's four off-campus hospitals — Garden, Karimabad, Kharadar, and Hyderabad — achieved SafeCare Level 5 certification between 2022 and 2023. SafeCare provides a rigorous framework for assessing healthcare quality and patient safety in low- and middle-income countries. Level 5 is the highest level within the SafeCare framework and recognises hospitals that demonstrate high standards across clinical, management, and support services.

Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) Licence

AKUH was awarded its Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) licence in 2022, recognising compliance with the province's requirements for healthcare quality and patient safety. In 2024 and 2026, this licence was also extended to the Aga Khan Hospitals in Karimabad, Garden, and Hyderabad. 

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accreditation

AKUH's Pharmacy Trainee Programme became the first in Pakistan, the first academic medical centre outside the United States, and the third international hospital to receive ASHP accreditation for an International Pharmacy Practice Residency Programme (IPPR). The accreditation recognises the programme's high standards for pharmacist education and training, including patient care, medication safety, clinical practice, leadership, and professional development.

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

Aga Khan University was the first institution in Pakistan to receive institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education – International (ACGME-I). The accreditation provides an internationally benchmarked framework for postgraduate medical education and supports residency programmes that meet rigorous standards for physician training.

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

Aga Khan University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This internationally recognised accreditation ensures that AKU delivers high-quality, evidence-based educational activities that support healthcare professionals in maintaining and advancing their knowledge and skills, contributing to the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) Accreditation

In 2020, Aga Khan University's Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) in Karachi became South Asia's first simulation-based educational institution to receive accreditation from the US-based Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The accreditation recognises CIME's high standards in simulation-based education, which allows healthcare professionals and students to practise clinical skills, decision-making, and teamwork in a safe learning environment before applying them in patient care. This helps strengthen clinical competence, communication, and patient safety.