Late August, two people from Tajikistan arrived at the Aga Khan University Campus, amidst the pink walls and calming greenery.

At the Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health, Dr Shabina Ariff welcomed Dr Shoista Mamadnazarbekova, a neonatologist, and Ms Manizha Payshanbieva, who had been selected to undergo the intensive NICU training.

Dr Shoista Mamadnazarbekova works as a neonatologist while Ms Manizha Payshanbieva works as a nurse at the Aga Khan Medical Centre, Khorog, Tajikistan. Under the NICU Training Opportunities programme led by Dr Shabina Ariff, a three-week training was established for them.

A first day of discovery

On the first day, the pair was briefed about their daily schedule and learning opportunities through a ROTA and were given a tour of the state-of-the-art NICU facilities at Aga Khan University Hospital.

Dr Shabina Ariff took the guests around the campus, introducing them to the hospital and nursing school, as well as the clinics and medical college. They toured the NICU thoroughly, meeting all the clinical and nursing staff who they were going to work with for the duration of the program.

Hands-on at the bedside

The pair joined the NICU staff in clinical rounds, observed neonatal care practices, and gained hands-on experience in the care of small and vulnerable newborns, including the use of CPAP technology.

They resided on-campus during their stay, for ease of access to the hospital and NICU facilities. Their time at the campus was full of networking, knowledge exchange, and getting to know new people along with the culture and traditions of Pakistan.