Following the successful completion of the first phase in August 2023 and training of 20 healthcare workers, 10 from each districts of Dadu and Sanghar as the master trainers, the Aga Khan University's Centre of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies (AKU-CETE) has shifted focus to the rollout phase of its Integrated Disaster Response Programme. The initial phase saw the training of healthcare workers from Dadu and Sanghar as master trainers, laying the foundation for the ongoing dissemination of crucial knowledge and skills.

In the current rollout phase, master trainers are actively replicating the training to fellow healthcare workers in Sanghar District. As of March 2024, five training sessions have been conducted developing nearly 150 experts in disaster response.  ​

The programme aims to equip healthcare professionals with essential skills and knowledge vital for effective disaster management. By empowering frontline responders with comprehensive training, AKU-CETE continues to uphold its mission of strengthening community resilience and safeguarding lives in times of crisis.

The programme's facilitators include faculty members from AKU-CETE and Departments’ of Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatric, Psychiatry, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM). The volunteers of the Pakistan Life Savers Programme are also providing training on CPR techniques to participants.

Throughout the 5-days course, participants engage with a diverse range of topics pertinent to disaster response. The curriculum covers subjects such as trauma and disaster response, both communicable and non-communicable diseases in emergency settings, resilience building, pubertal changes, gender-based violence awareness and intervention, disaster essential kit formulation for maternal and childcare, and psychological first aid strategies.

Close coordination with the DG Health Office as well as support from the DHO Sanghar office facilitates the smooth execution of these training sessions, ensuring that the programme reaches its intended audience effectively. Faculty members and CETE Staff from AKU regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of the training sessions, upholding standards of quality and effectiveness.