Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

16/09/2026

This week, Dr Shabina Ariff attends the The RESPIRE meeting with Dr Sajid Soofi, Dr Hareem Fatima, and Neyama Alladin, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE) has organized this meeting to commemorate the research conducted in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Malaysia. RESPIRE funds research on Pulmonary diseases, Air quality and Non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

We are proud to lead RESPIRE projects in Pakistan.

Full program: https://lnkd.in/dCwvYJx5

15/09/2026

Strong families play a vital role in supporting children's development, wellbeing, and lifelong learning. Through the Art of Parenting Initiative, stakeholders from across Gilgit-Baltistan came together to explore how positive parenting approaches can be adapted and strengthened to meet the needs of local communities.

A stakeholder consultation held on September 1, 2026, in Gilgit brought together representatives from Aga Khan University (AKU), including the Human Development Programme, Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan, and Brain and Mind Institute, as well as colleagues from Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme - AKRSP Pakistan, and government departments. The discussion focused on the contextual relevance, accessibility, and implementation of the Agosh and Parvarish parenting resources in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Participants discussed how parenting materials can be made more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to local realities. Conversations explored cultural considerations, representation of children with disabilities, integration with existing learning systems, and opportunities to extend outreach through community networks and digital platforms.

Building on the consultation, Master Trainers' trainings were conducted from September 2-4, 2026, bringing together representatives from the Health, Education, and Population Welfare Departments, alongside AKU and AKRSP teams.

The training focused on practical approaches to supporting parents and caregivers, including strengthening parent-child relationships, effective communication, creating safe and nurturing home environments, understanding children's developmental needs, and promoting positive parenting practices across different stages of childhood and adolescence.

The Agosh and Parvarish manuals provide practical tools to help caregivers translate these concepts into everyday interactions that foster children's growth, wellbeing, and resilience.

The engagement highlighted the importance of reaching families through government systems, schools, and community-based platforms to ensure that parenting support is accessible across diverse geographical contexts.

This collaborative effort represents an important step towards strengthening evidence-informed, locally relevant parenting support in Gilgit-Baltistan. Through sustained partnership between AKU, AKF, AKRSP, and government stakeholders, the Art of Parenting Initiative aims to contribute to healthier family relationships, supportive home environments, and improved developmental outcomes for children and adolescents.

08/09/2026

Apply for the Research Specialist vacancy here:

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

02/09/2026

Strengthen your awareness of road safety and responsible driving behaviour and develop practical skills in defensive driving and hazard anticipation. 🚦🚧🚨
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFztsNym3zvmNWlyVg_y_9MaVPfuETvgFheTUJnz9DZ-Cmgg/viewform?usp=header

RUKO.Pk

31/08/2026

The Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health welcomed AKU leadership to the Mother and Child Health Research and Training Center, Matiari for a field visit showcasing research, health systems strengthening, and community outreach initiatives.

The visit included interactions with the local health department, visits to health facilities and communities, and engagement with Lady Health Workers who play a critical role in delivering essential health services at the household level.

This kind of exchange provided an opportunity to strengthen understanding of how research, partnerships, and community-led approaches contribute to improving maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health in Pakistan. Aga Khan University AKU Child Health AKU Community Health Sciences AKU Medical College, Pakistan

28/08/2026

Central Asia Stunting Initiative (CASI) Scale-Up in Gilgit. Aga Khan Foundation Aga Khan Development Network

25/08/2026

25/08/2026

Learning from a Decade of Newborn Health Interventions in Pakistan

CoE WCH had the honor of participating in the Inception Meeting for the Evaluation of Essential Newborn Care Strategies and Models in Pakistan at the District Health Office, Hyderabad. The evaluation, led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination with UNICEF Pakistan, will assess newborn care interventions implemented between 2015 and 2025, including Essential Newborn Care, Kangaroo Mother Care, Home-Based Newborn Care, and Small and Sick Newborn Care.

The discussion highlighted a critical opportunity to systematically document what has worked, where it has worked, and why. Across districts, valuable lessons have emerged from diverse implementation models, and capturing these experiences will help strengthen evidence-based policy and programming for newborn survival.

As Pakistan advances implementation of the National Newborn Survival Strategy 2024-2028, this assessment will provide strategic evidence to inform future investments, strengthen health systems, and accelerate progress towards national and global commitments for reducing preventable newborn deaths.

24/08/2026

Central Asia Stunting Initiative (CASI) Scale-Up in Chitral. Aga Khan Development Network Aga Khan Foundation