A delegation of prominent researchers from various national and international institutions, led by Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Distinguished University Professor; Founding Director, Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD); Co-Director, Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University; Robert Harding Inaugural Chair in Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; and Co-Director, SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, along with Dr. Jai Das, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, and Associate Director, IGHD, visited the Mother and Child Health Research and Training Center (MRTC) on November 30, 2025.

The Matiari field visit was attended by a diverse group of national and international experts representing academia, research institutions, development partners, and policy organizations. The delegation included Ms. Harriet Roos, Counsellor (Development) and Head of Cooperation, High Commission of Canada to Pakistan; Mr. Christopher Burman and Mr. Joseph Augustine, Lecturers, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London; Ms. Lala Rukh Matties, Architect specializing in healthcare facility design; Ms. Michelle Gaffey, Senior Research Manager, SickKids Centre for Global Child Health; and Dr. Paul Dhalla, Director, Environment & Sustainability, Aga Khan Development Network, Canada.

Other distinguished participants included Ms. Yasmeen Nageeb Basir, Member, Board of Directors, The Citizens Foundation (TCF); Dr. Qamar Mehmood, Senior Program Specialist, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada; Dr. Rumi Chunara, Associate Professor, New York University; and Dr. Ana Bonell, Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

The visit was further enriched by the participation of representatives from Aga Khan University, Pakistan, including Dr. Zahid Memon, Associate Professor and Section Head, Department of Community Health Sciences; Dr. Shahzad Bashir, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Mr. Shah Mohammad; and Mr. Yakub Wasan, Assistant Professors, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health.

The visit commenced with a formal welcome and brief introductions of the visiting delegates and the MRTC team. This was followed by detailed presentations by Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Dr. Jai Das, and Dr. Zahid Ali Memon, highlighting the major research projects undertaken by MRTC over the past two decades. These presentations reflected the institution’s significant contributions to maternal, child, and adolescent health, nutrition, and community-based interventions.

Following the presentations, the delegation visited Village Baloch Khaskheli, where the Structural Heat Adaptation and Education in Rural Settings (SHaPeS) Trial, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), is currently being implemented. The guests observed various structural modification interventions introduced under the project and received a comprehensive briefing on their design, objectives, and expected outcomes. This visit served as a practical demonstration of climate adaptation and resilience strategies in rural Pakistan.

Subsequently, the delegation proceeded to Village Ajan Shah, where a live demonstration of community outreach activities was arranged. The guests interacted with members of the Lady Health Workers (LHW) Programme and observed ongoing adolescent health and nutrition interventions. The visit provided valuable insights into the critical role of community health workers in delivering essential health and nutrition services at the grassroots level.

Towards the conclusion of the visit, the delegation toured a local handicrafts center, where they observed the traditional craftsmanship involved in the production of Ajrak and Rilli. The guests closely observed the complete handmade process, appreciating the cultural heritage and livelihood aspects associated with these traditional crafts.

From MRTC, Mr. Muhammad Khan Jamali (Manager, IGHD)​, Dr. Fayaz Umrani (Senior Manager, CHS)​, and Mr. Rafique Channa (Manager, CMD), along with their respective teams, graciously hosted and facilitated the visit. The visit concluded with mutual appreciation and acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts aimed at improving health outcomes, climate resilience, and community development in rural Pakistan.

The delegation expressed keen interest in ongoing research initiatives, community-based interventions, and climate resilience efforts, and appreciated the impactful work being carried out by MRTC.