By:Iris Aminata Bangura
Connaught Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in the country, has gained full accreditation from the West African College of Surgeons to train specialists in General Surgery and Urology. Additionally, it has received partial accreditation for the training of consultants and fellows.
Dr. Mark Kapuwa, the Hospital Care Manager at Connaught Hospital, discussed this achievement on Slik TV’s ‘TODAY SHOW.’ He emphasized that the accreditation reflects significant improvements in the hospital’s sanitation and overall management. “Aside from Connaught Hospital being the main referral hospital in the country, it is also a teaching hospital and a research center that trains medical students to be doctors. Now, as a result of this accreditation, we can train general doctors to become specialists. This achievement means a lot not only to Connaught but also to the nation as a whole,” Dr. Kapuwa stated.
Dr. Kapuwa explained that the accreditation process began at the start of 2024 when a team from the West African College of Surgeons visited the hospital. The college, responsible for accrediting institutions that train medical doctors, inspected various hospital facilities, including the theater, wards, the Department of Surgery, and administrative buildings, to ensure they met regional standards. Following the inspection, the hospital addressed any identified lapses, and the team conducted a follow-up inspection. This rigorous process culminated in Connaught Hospital receiving accreditation in July 2024.
“Accreditation is gained for five years, and within those five years, the institution is required to have improved. We have gained partial accreditation for the fellowship but full accreditation to train specialists in General Surgery and Urology. We will start training the fellows, who will later go to Nigeria or Ghana for specializations not available in the country,” Dr. Kapuwa stated.
Dr. Kapuwa highlighted the significant impact of this accreditation, noting that previously, specialists in the country were trained abroad. He emphasized that training specialists locally will enhance service delivery and reduce the need for doctors to seek further training and employment outside the country.
