Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), celebrated a significant milestone in Afghan healthcare with the graduation of seven specialists from its Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) programme. The eighth graduation ceremony honoured the achievements of five male and two female doctors across six critical medical specialties: Anaesthesia, Pathology, Radiology, Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiology, and Paediatrics.
The event brought together distinguished guests, including Dr Haidar Omer, Director of PGME at Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH); Dr Najmuddin Najm, AKDN Coordinator for Afghanistan and Chairman of FMIC's Board; Eric Chesson, President of La Chaîne de l'Espoir and a member of the FMIC Board; and Nadeem Mustafa Khan, FMIC Board Member. Government officials, representatives from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and family members of the graduates also joined the celebration.
Dr Adil Haider, Dean of the Medical College at AKU, officially inaugurated the event alongside Dr Najm. Dr Najm commended the graduates for their dedication, highlighting their role in shaping Afghanistan's healthcare system. He emphasized FMIC's pioneering efforts in training Afghanistan's first female specialists in Paediatric Surgery, Pathology, Radiology, and Anaesthesia. To date, 81 specialists have completed their training through this programme, including the first female paediatric surgeon, radiologist, and pathologist in Afghanistan.
Dr Haidar Omer, Director of PGME at MoPH, recognized the graduates as “heroes" for their resilience and commitment to serving their country's healthcare needs, particularly the female doctors breaking barriers in specialized fields. Dr Haider announced plans to expand the PGME programme, introducing specialties in Neurology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, and Oncology to address Afghanistan's pressing healthcare needs.
Launched in 2012, the FMIC PGME programme—developed in partnership with AKU, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Government of Canada—continues to strengthen Afghanistan's healthcare sector. Supported by the Foundation for Health and Empowerment (F4HE), the program benefits from support by the Government of Canada, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Aga Khan Foundation Canada, and Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan. Accredited by the Ministry of Public Health, the programme now offers nine specialties, including Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
This collaboration exemplifies AKU's commitment to advancing healthcare through education and innovation, empowering a new generation of healthcare leaders in Afghanistan.
