COHSASA: Healthcare Quality & Accreditation in Africa

Strengthening health systems in Africa

COHSASA conducts quality improvement and accreditation programmes in a wide range of healthcare facilities – hospitals, clinics, palliative care services, day clinics and consulting rooms on the continent of Africa.

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Elevating healthcare
standards across Africa

The year 2025 marks three decades of COHSASA strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.

Since 1995, we have worked alongside public and private facilities to advance patient safety, drive continuous quality improvement, and uphold the highest accreditation standards.

Thirty years on, our purpose remains clear: better healthcare, safer patients, stronger systems.

Our vision

To lead the movement for better health care in Africa.

COHSASA, along with its second edition of Healthcare Facility Standards and its Surveyor Training Programme, has received accreditation from the International Society for Health Care External Evaluation Association (ISQuaEEA), valid until 2027. ISQuaEEA offers third-party external evaluation services to health and social care organisations as well as standards-developing bodies worldwide.

Our purpose

Creating a safe healthcare journey
for every patient in Africa.

Our purpose is to create a safe healthcare journey for every patient in Africa. Through our accreditation services, collaborative initiatives, and patient-centred approach, we aim to create a healthcare environment where quality, safety, and compassion are accessible to all. We believe that when healthcare standards are elevated, communities thrive, and individuals can lead healthier, more dignified lives, ensuring that better health care truly matters.

Our purpose

The value
of being
accredited

Improved Patient Outcomes

Through COHSASA’s accreditation standards, your facility can drive better clinical outcomes and ensure greater patient satisfaction.

Closer Collaboration

Tools encourage teams to work together successfully.

Continuous Improvement

Programmes provide ongoing evaluation and improvement.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency

Accreditation streamlines processes, optimises resources, reduces waste and minimises risks.

Increased Trust

Accredited facilities stand out in their commitment to patient safety and quality, fostering trust and credibility within communities.

COHSASA
is leading the
movement
for better
health care
in Africa

Quality and safety are the cornerstones of effective health care.

Our rigorous accreditation processes drive healthcare facility teams to surpass established benchmarks. It’s not a one-off but a continuous journey towards excellence. We empower providers with knowledge, tools, and support to deliver outstanding care. By providing training and resources, we enable healthcare workers’ to drive the movement for better health care.

Services overview

Our standards

The standards listed below can be bought from the COHSASA shop. All these standards are accredited by ISQuaEEA.

COHSASA Healthcare Facility Standards – Inpatient Care
(Second Edition)

These in-patient standards are most suitable for acute healthcare facilities, hospitals, sub-acute and rehabilitation facilities and inpatient mental health services.

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COHSASA Healthcare Facility Standards – Ambulatory Care
(Second Edition)

These ambulatory standards are most suitable for primary care clinics, day surgery facilities and outpatient and emergency departments.

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Palliative Care

COHSASA and the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) have collaborated for many years to produce standards. If you want a copy of the ISQuaEEA accredited 5th Edition Standards for Palliative Health Care Services, please contact the APCC, at general enquiries: info@apcc.org.za or visit their website at: https://apcc.org.za

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Global Experience,
Local ImpactWe inspire quality health care in Africa, one safer institution at a time.

With 30 years’ experience on our continent, COHSASA is well placed to understand regional nuances.

COHSASA is well acquainted with the African context: what drives patient fears, what potential obstacles may impede quality improvement activities and what environmental factors might hinder a smooth and rapid journey towards accreditation.

30 Years

What our clients
think about us

“COHSASA carries out its surveys in a professional and engaging manner. We value the insights they shared, the learnings provided, and the constructive way in which they highlighted areas for improvement. The surveyors created an environment that encouraged open conversation and made everyone feel comfortable to participate.”

Zuid Afrikaans Hospital, Pretoria

“COHSASA accreditation is more than a badge of honour; it’s a promise to patients, families, and donors that the highest standards of care and ethics are upheld every day.”

Robert de Wet, CEO

Helderberg Hospice , Somerset West

“Our accreditation roadmap shapes how we lead, manage, train, and continuously improve.”

Jackie Nabukeera, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality

C-Care International Hospital Kampala (IHK), Uganda

“With each accreditation cycle, we raise the bar higher. We want all Ugandans to know that excellent healthcare is available here at home—reliable, homegrown, and continuously improving.”

Sheila Aboth, Group Head of Brand and Patient Experience

C-Care International Hospital Kampala ( IHK), Uganda

“Beyond clinical quality, accreditation brings strategic benefits. Accreditation improves our operational efficiency and risk management, while also attracting valued partnerships. It truly is a win-win.”

Dr. Miriam Mutero Musinga, General Manager

C-Care International Hospital Kampala (IHK), Uganda

“When selecting an accrediting body, Avenue Healthcare weighed several options, ultimately choosing COHSASA over global bodies like JCI due to its specialisation in regional healthcare challenges face by African institutions and especially emerging markets. For Avenue Healthcare, COHSASA offers a compelling blend of global standards tailored to the African context and locally recognised benchmarks. Its practical approach allows Avenue to maintain rigorous standards while recognising the operational realities of the African healthcare context. Through its partnership with COHSASA, Avenue Healthcare ensures its facilities not only meet high standards but do so in a way that is meaningful, culturally appropriate, and sustainable.”

Avenue Health Group, Kenya

“Maintaining accreditation is non-negotiable for us, it is a cornerstone of our sustainable strategy.”

Elizabeth Scrimgeour, CEO

Drakenstein Hospice, Paarl, Western Cape

“COHSASA accreditation is crucial for healthcare facilities because it ensures quality and safety standards, promotes continuous improvement, boosts patient confidence, enhances staff morale and training, ensures regulatory compliance, improves operational efficiency, and allows for benchmarking against other accredited institutions. This leads to better patients outcomes and institutional performance.”

Arthur Egulu | Quality Assurance Manager

Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga

Full Accreditation Awards

Healthcare Facilities

Countries