AAR Hospital has reached a major milestone by achieving SafeCare Level 5, the highest certification within the SafeCare quality improvement methodology based on internationally recognized quality standards. The recognition was officially awarded by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, during a ceremony at the hospital’s headquarters in Nairobi.
What does Level 5 mean? It signals that AAR Hospital meets the most demanding benchmarks for patient safety, clinical excellence, and operational standards.
Private sector leadership in healthcare quality
“AAR Hospital continues to demonstrate how private sector leadership can strengthen Kenya’s health agenda,” said Hon. Duale. “Achievements like this reinforce patient safety and contribute to stronger national health outcomes.”
The Cabinet Secretary praised the hospital for meeting the rigorous standards required for this top-tier certification and emphasized the crucial role of private health providers in driving quality, restoring public confidence, and supporting Kenya’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage.
He also highlighted that improved maternal and newborn health depends on skilled staff, reliable equipment, strong infection prevention, and resilient supply chains — all core principles embedded in the SafeCare standards.
“AAR Hospital’s progress aligns with our national priorities and with the forthcoming Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill of 2025,” he added.
A journey of continuous improvement
AAR Hospital’s milestone reflects a steady quality improvement trajectory that began in 2022, with the facility enrolling in SafeCare in 2024 and adopting its structured assessment, improvement, and monitoring tools. Within a short period, the hospital advanced from Level 4 to the prestigious Level 5, placing it among facilities that:
- provide consistent, evidence-based care;
- are led by strong, data-driven leadership teams;
- are building a culture of ongoing learning and improvement.
Celebrating 15 years of SafeCare
The award ceremony also marked 15 years of SafeCare in Kenya and globally. Over this period, SafeCare has equipped both public and private health facilities with independent assessments, data-driven improvement roadmaps, and tools to measure quality and track progress — guided by the principle that quality saves lives.