King Faisal Hospital has received the third accreditation from the Council for Health Services Accreditation of South Africa (COHSASA), a healthcare accrediting body.

The accreditation is given to a health facility that provides health services in compliance with national and international standards of quality health services.

The third accreditation, issued on Wednesday, will be valid until September, 2019, according to Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, state minister in the Ministry of Health. The minister commended the leadership of KFH for the accreditation.

"Accreditation means that you perform to international standards. We are proud of you,” he said while receiving the certificate at the hospital. He urged hospital officials to work harder.

"This accreditation challenges you to enhance services. Accreditation means good quality, and quality must be sustained. Continue your commitment, make a difference. We have great expectations from this hospital as a centre of excellence where people get world class services,” he said.

Dr Emille Rwamasirabo, the acting CEO of King Faisal Hospital, attributed the achievement to hard work and commended his team for their efforts."It’s a great day; this accreditation has been achieved after a long journey...and required teamwork,” he said. Accreditation criteria

King Faisal Hospital is one of the few accredited hospitals in the region. The accrediting body deploys specialists who assess numerous hospital services.Close to 2,500 services are scrutinised and each has to be compliant at the rate of above 80 per cent

Dr Tharcisse Ngambe, the head of quality assurance and risk management at King Faisal Hospital, said this accreditation is of higher standard compared to previous ones.

"The previous standards are dropped and new ones are used. You need to show that you have improved...It’s a continuous process,” said Dr Ngambe.He said the accreditation implies that the services at the hospital are evaluated based on universal international standards.

King Faisal Hospital was awarded the first accreditation in 2011 with a score of 99 per cent, and the second in 2013, scoring 97 per cent. This year, the hospital scooped 97 per cent.

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