AIUWA’s MD Prog

PRESS RELEASE

NAQAA Governing Council Suspends AIUWA’s MD Programme Until Key Conditions Are Met

The Governing Council of the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has taken the decision to suspend, with immediate effect, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme offered by the American International University West Africa (AIUWA). This suspension will remain in place until the university satisfies a number of critical regulatory requirements aimed at safeguarding the integrity and quality of medical education in The Gambia.

The decision follows over a decade of sustained regulatory engagement, technical guidance, and oversight by NAQAA and the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia (MDCG). Despite these efforts, AIUWA’s MD programme has remained unaccredited since its inception in 2010/2011, and continues to fall short of established national and regional quality assurance benchmarks.

In view of these persistent and unresolved challenges, the NAQAA Governing Council has resolved that AIUWA shall not be permitted to resume delivery of its MD programme unless and until the following conditions are met:

1. The development of a revised MBBS/MBChB curriculum that is responsive to national and West African health sector priorities;
2. The establishment of a formal academic and administrative affiliation with the University of The Gambia (UTG); and
3. The submission of the revised programme for accreditation to both the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia and NAQAA, supported by a valid certificate of affiliation.

This decision reflects NAQAA’s unwavering commitment to upholding quality standards in higher education and protecting the interests of students and the broader public. The Authority remains open to constructive engagement with all stakeholders in pursuit of a credible, transparent, and standards-driven process for the possible future reinstatement of the MD programme at AIUWA, one that ensures public confidence in medical qualifications awarded in The Gambia.

Issued by:

National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA)
Date: 4 August 2025