​​​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. 

PI

Field Sites

Project Name

Funding Agency

Amount ($)

Zahra Hoodbhoy

IH, RG

PRISMA

BMGF

3,699,754 

Fyezah Jehan

IH, RG, BHC, AASG

IRP

BMGF

6,312,452 

Imran Nisar

IH, RG, AASG

Hecolin

IVI

2,779,579

Farah Qamar

AASG, BHC, TVI

Nutrimam

WHO

1,070,439 

Fyezah Jehan

IH, BHC, AASG

BRANCH

WHO

1,800,001

Imran Nisar

IH, RG

GSED

WHO

1,115,692 

Sidra Kaleem

IH, RG

MINE

BMGF

4,863,699 

Zahra Hoodbhoy

IH, RG, BHC

Doppler

BMGF

2,525,000

Fyezah Jehan

IH, RG, BHC, AASG

PROPS

WHO

2,173,678

Momin Kazi

IH, BHC, AASG

CHAMPS

UTSW

2,933,799 

​​

Clinical services

Our field sites provide free maternal and child healthcare to the surrounding catchment area populations. Our staff will refer any patients who need further attention to the main hospital. The services we provide are:

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 partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fogarty International, and the World Health Organization (WHO). Vital Pakistan Trust, Koohi Goth Hospital 1 and Koohi Goth Hospital 2, Expanded Program on Immunization of the Government of Sindh, the District Health Office,  Sindh Government Children’s Hospital,  Creek General Hospital  and AKU Kharadar.

​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.

Koohi Goth-Burqa-Iron.jpgPhoto: 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.​​

Field Site Contacts:

Prof. Sajid Soofi

Principal Investigator 
sajid.soofi@aku.edu

Imtiaz Hussain
For Dadu, Matiari
Director, Provost Office
Centre Of Excellence
Women & Child Health Division
imtiaz.hussain@aku.edu​

For Karachi sites: 

Dr Benazir Balouch
Senior Manager
benazir.balouch@aku.edu

Dr Umair Hamid
Senior Instructor
umair.hamid@aku.edu