Field sites for the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health
The Outreach and Research Program of the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health has six community field sites in Sindh (four in Karachi and one each in districs Dadu and Matiari) and for research on women and child health. These sites are not just healthcare hubs, they actively work on SDG 3: good health and well-being, focusing on maternal, newborn, and childcare in underserved communities.
Pakistan has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates globally. Access to antenatal, natal, and postnatal care is scarce, especially in the regions we serve. Thus, we offer essential services through our primary health set-up at these sites.
Clinical services
1. Free clinics for newborns to under 5
2. Antenatal services for expecting mothers
3. Maternal care excellence
4. The Vital Registry
We collaborate with international partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fogarty International, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The field sites operate a state-of-the-art Outpatient Department (OPD) system with electronic health records. Our primary health centers run on applications to provide medical assistance and well-documented, personalized care.The services at these field sites are free of cost.
Rehri Goth is the oldest site and most well-established field site run by AKU Paediatrics & Child Health. It is also the most socio-economically disadvantaged one. We have, however, seen a significant decline in mortality there since we rolled out community interventions.
Photo: A woman receiving iron supplementation at a field site in Karachi. Credit: AKU Paediatrics & Child Health
The community-based interventions can be delivered at home or at the primary healthcare level.
The Department of Paediatrics & Child Health runs four free clinics in Karachi which are financed by research grants. We work with the union councils or local organizations to provide primary healthcare to the populations of children under 5 years of age and pregnant and lactating women.
The women and children receive free treatment and medicines and if they require it, we not only help with referrals but facilitate them logistically as well.
While deliveries do not take place at the clinics, we register pregnant women and connect them to a network of hospitals, including the 200-bed Koohi Goth midwifery-led hospital.
The pregnant women who register at our clinics receive lab investigations, ultrasounds and treatment. They have a 24/7 number to call when they go into labour and one of our ambulances is dispatched to transport them to our network member hospital.
