The Surgery Residency Programme at the Aga Khan University (AKU) Medical College, East Africa, has become the first in Kenya and the wider region to receive accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I).
The accreditation recognises the programme for meeting internationally accepted standards in postgraduate medical training. The ACGME-I requires institutions to maintain structured supervision of trainees, detailed case tracking, strong patient safety systems, and independent periodic review of training programmes.
For trainees, the recognition means surgeons are now educated and evaluated against global benchmarks, improving the quality, consistency, and safety of surgical care delivered to patients.
Kenya continues to face a major shortage of specialist surgeons. Data from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) shows that as of 2021, only 581 licensed surgeons were serving a population of about 50 million people, translating to roughly one surgeon for every 100,000 people.
International standards, including recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, advise that countries should have at least 20 specialist surgical providers per 100,000 people.
The shortage is most severe outside major cities. A 2018 assessment of Level 4 hospitals, which serve as key referral facilities in rural counties, found only 106 general surgeons nationwide.
Health experts warn that the shortage leads to delayed surgeries, long referral chains, and overstretched hospitals, particularly in cases involving emergency trauma, cancer treatment, and complicated childbirth.
Across East Africa, concerns have also been raised about unsafe procedures performed by unqualified practitioners, highlighting the urgent need for stronger surgical training and oversight.
Professor Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of AKU Medical College, East Africa, said the accreditation reflects the university’s commitment to high-quality medical education.
“AKU remains committed to delivering world-class medical education. With this accreditation, all our Master of Medicine Residency programmes are now accredited with the ACGME-I, a testament to the quality of our programmes and the expertise of our faculty, staff, and students,” he said.
Since its establishment, the programme has graduated 39 surgeons and currently trains 19 residents, with plans to increase enrollment in the coming years.
Regional data shows that 85 to 93 percent of specialist surgical graduates remain in their home countries or within East and Central Africa, demonstrating that building local training capacity strengthens regional healthcare systems.
The ACGME-I accreditation also positions East Africa as an emerging centre for specialist medical education. AKU’s regional campuses and partnerships demonstrate that internationally benchmarked surgical training can be delivered within Africa, reducing reliance on overseas certification while building sustainable expertise locally.
Dr Abdulkarim Abdallah, Chair of Surgery at AKU, said the recognition will help produce more highly skilled surgeons for the region.
“This accreditation underscores our commitment to developing highly skilled, globally competitive surgeons who can meet the evolving needs of our region,” he said.
Established in 2004, the Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa, provides specialised training for health professionals with the aim of improving healthcare across the region.
The institution focuses on advanced training programmes, strong research, improved healthcare delivery, and strategic partnerships with regional and global institutions.
Experts say expanding high-quality specialist training will be critical in improving access to safe and timely surgery for patients across East Africa.
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