AKU Child Health

09/09/2026

MIRNA Dissemination Seminar | Strengthening Maternal Immunisation Readiness in Pakistan

The MIRNA Dissemination Seminar brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and key stakeholders at Aga Khan University to discuss an important question: how prepared is Pakistan to strengthen maternal immunisation?

Hosted by the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Aga Khan University, in collaboration with the Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in Africa and Asia (MIRNA), the seminar highlighted findings and experiences from the MIRNA Pakistan Working Group.

The discussions explored the current landscape of maternal immunisation in Pakistan, lessons emerging from the initiative, and areas that require continued attention and collaboration.

The seminar also provided an opportunity for participants to share perspectives, raise important questions, and contribute to conversations around strengthening maternal immunisation efforts in the country.

Thank you to our speakers, collaborators, and participants for being part of the discussion and making the seminar a valuable exchange of knowledge and perspectives.

08/09/2026

PART 3 is here.

Screen time and autism, are they linked? Dr. Sidra Kaleem breaks down what's actually true: virtual autism isn't a separate diagnosis. Excessive screen time can hold back social skills, and children on the spectrum often prefer screens over human interaction, so the two go hand in hand without one directly causing the other.

Can autism or ADHD be prevented? While there's no fixed answer, she points to what actually supports healthy development, good sleep, physical activity, limited screen time, nutritious food, a stable home environment, and parents' own wellbeing.

Is autism hereditary? The genetics are still being studied, but a family with multiple neurodivergent individuals does carry a higher likelihood, even if it can't be precisely quantified yet.

07/09/2026

If your child’s urinary tract infection keeps returning despite repeated courses of antibiotics, an underlying condition known as CUBS may be responsible.

Constipation can put pressure on the bladder, preventing it from emptying completely. The urine left behind can allow infections to develop repeatedly. Treating both the urinary symptoms and constipation is therefore essential for lasting improvement.

Early evaluation and important investigations, such as an MCUG when advised by a doctor, can help identify the cause and prevent serious complications.

Consult a paediatric specialist if your child experiences recurrent urinary tract infections.

07/09/2026

⏳ TOMORROW | MIRNA Dissemination Seminar

Just one day to go!

The MIRNA Dissemination Seminar takes place tomorrow, bringing together colleagues and stakeholders for an afternoon of insightful discussions on maternal immunisation readiness in Pakistan.

Hosted by the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Aga Khan University, in collaboration with the Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in Africa and Asia (MIRNA), the seminar will highlight key learnings and perspectives from the MIRNA Pakistan Working Group.

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026

⏰ 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

📍 Auditorium, Aga Khan University

🔗 Register here:
https://forms.gle/rMUrdz6jsbUhqCC97

We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow for an engaging afternoon of knowledge sharing, discussion, and collaboration.

📩 For further information and RSVP:

Lizna Hadwani | [email protected] | 69480

See you tomorrow!

03/09/2026

Co-creating safer AI for Maternal & Child Health!

The PRISMA valiDATAthon is a hands-on workshop designed for clinicians interested in exploring the potential of AI in maternal and child health. No prior AI knowledge is required!

Join us to:
🔹 Explore cutting-edge AI tools
🔹 Co-develop MNCH-specific, expert-validated clinical LLMs
🔹 Contribute to building safer and more effective AI for healthcare

📅 24–25 September 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Aga Khan University
📝 Registration deadline: 10 September 2026

Spaces are limited. Register now:
https://forms.gle/z6DShaQDEKsMtJG29

02/09/2026

At ACT For Nutrition, Dr. Fyezah Jehan shared why Pakistan's nutrition crisis can't be tackled with the same old 1,000-day lens.

Her message: it's time to think 1,000 days PLUS. A full life cycle approach to nutrition.

The evidence backs it up. AKU's evaluation of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme found real, measurable change:
→ 6% drop in low birth weight
→ 11% drop in preterm birth
→ 12% drop in child anaemia
→ 17% rise in full immunisation coverage

But she didn't stop at the wins. Less than 1 in 4 women achieved dietary diversity, a reminder that income support and counselling alone can't fix every gap in the food environment.

Her closing point cut deep: human capital isn't just about growth and stunting numbers. It's about cognition, language, school readiness, and giving every child, especially girls, the chance to stay in school.

The path forward? Build learning systems, not just monitoring systems. And never let an average hide what the most vulnerable communities are actually going through.

ACT For Nutrition is a landmark campaign and international conferen...

02/09/2026

So that's where our star faculty disappeared to...