French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children

About Us

About French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children:

French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) is a non-governmental tertiary hospital established in 2006 as the product of a unique four-way partnership between the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GOIRA) and France (GoF), and two private, international development organizations – La Chaine de l’Espoir (CDE) and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).  FMIC started its operations in a volatile situation when security condition was deteriorating and accessing a modest tertiary healthcare facility was a tall order for the Afghans. There was serious lack of human resources in various specialities hence the Afghans highly depended upon medical tourism abroad. In such circumstances the presence of FMIC was no less than a miracle. For the last 14 years, FMIC has been catering to the healthcare needs of Afghanistan with a vibrant vision, “to be a leading institute of excellence and innovation in healthcare, research and education, providing exemplary, safe, comprehensive, accessible and sustainable services to Afghanistan and surrounding regions, while positively impacting the lives of patients and all others Whom it serves.”

Despite many challenges, FMIC has achieved remarkable success over the past 14 years. In 2009, it became the first hospital in Afghanistan to be ISO certified whereas the first open heart surgery was performed by indigenous doctors at FMIC in 2010. Since 2011 it has annually sponsored an international scientific conference as well as a quality and patient safety convention, both of which showcase Afghan health professionals’ high capacity for critical thinking. The Post Graduate Medical Education Program (PGME) is a flagship program of FMIC established in 2012, with the support of the Aga Khan University (AKU), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and financial support of the Government of Canada. FMIC has so far served over 1.5 million patients from all parts of Afghanistan through its in-patient and out-patient services to children, mothers and adults. FMIC’s Patient Welfare Programme underwrites the cost of care for people who cannot afford to pay for all or part of their treatment. Access to remotest areas for tele-consultation and training of human resources has been ensured through eHealth program since 2007.  While responding to the Covid-19 pandemic; FMIC also offers PCR based Covid-19 testing and treatment facility besides its routine services.

In future, FMIC plans to grow from a 169-bed facility to a 550-bed teaching hospital that offers a full complement of tertiary specialized services, trains new healthcare providers and supports a substantial research programme. The Expanded Medical Complex, currently under design, will begin to offer services in the near future. The new facilities will provide space for research activities, additional Postgraduate Medical Education programmes and enhanced diagnostic facilities and medical services, including in adult general surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, neurosciences, oncology, orthopaedics and renal diseases.