Hospital Accreditation Governance in Afghanistan: Challenges and Solutions

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Policy
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Hospital accreditation is a key strategy for enhancing healthcare quality and safety.
• Implementation in Afghanistan is hindered by significant governance challenges.
• This study addresses these specific challenges within the Afghan context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the governance challenges of hospital accreditation in Afghanistan.
• To propose actionable solutions for effective accreditation implementation.
• To inform healthcare leaders and policymakers on improving hospital standards.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
• Semi-structured interviews with 75 key stakeholders in Kabul.
• Thematic analysis of data from public and private hospitals.

Main Results:

• Identified 32 governance challenges across seven domains, including lack of independence, strategic vision, and sustainable funding.
• Key issues include insufficient trained surveyors, weak digital systems, and limited monitoring.
• Proposed 30 solutions, emphasizing an autonomous accreditation body and robust financing.

Conclusions:

• Hospital accreditation governance challenges critically impact implementation in Afghanistan.
• Addressing these issues requires urgent attention from healthcare leaders and policymakers.
• Proposed solutions offer a roadmap for enhancing healthcare quality and safety through accreditation.