Aga Khan University (AKU) has trained 2,100 nurses in East Africa. The region has a dire shortage of qualified medical personnel. These nurses – who form the backbone of the healthcare workforce – are providing quality care to millions of patients each year. AKU endeavours to raise the quality of nursing education and improve the reputation of this vocation. A study of its nursing programme reports that 90% of alumni are staying in the region. Over 60% of them work in the public sector, strengthening public systems. Those in clinical positions benefit over 2 million people each year. And, over 100 have gone on to take leadership positions including as Chief Nurses, Hospital CEOs and senior policy makers benefitting many millions more.