Research, training, and education focused in the areas of global health and development do not only require robust research infrastructure, but also systems and innovations for effective and tangible outcomes. The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) and  Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health (CoEWCH) are such research-intensive initiatives of the Aga Khan University that were conceptualised to not only built research capacity and lead advocacy, but also foster innova

Research and training centre at Matiari

Dr Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Distinguished University Professor and Founding Director of both, IGHD and CoEWCH, and the research scientists at these Institutions have played an instrumental role in setting up research fields around and near to the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in Pakistan, including the urban city slums and rural villages. One such example is Matiari. 

Located on the left bank of River Indus, Matiari is a district in Sindh with a population of 770,000, as recorded in the 2017 census. 48 percent of this population is comprised of women. This district was handpicked around 30 years ago as a research field because of its demographics and health injustices in service, equity, and accessibility. These challenges had led to high mortality and morbidity, especially amongst women and children. 

Today, with the support of district and provincial governments, much progress has been made in improving maternal and child health in Matiari. With well-equipped research and training centres and structured community outreach programmes, health accessibility and inequalities have improved, including women and child health and nutrition and early childhood development. 

Community outreach programmes are pivotal in facilitating communities, like those in Matiari, to become aware, resilient, and empowered. Lady Health Worker Programme (LHWP) is one such example, which employs nurse educators from within the community and enables them to not only raise awareness amongst rural women about healthy behaviours, but also equip them with tools to make healthy choices. An extension of LHWP was successfully implemented in Matiari over the years that has resulted in favourable outcomes, as recorded by research findings. 

To provide the overview of these efforts and accomplishments, and discuss future outlook, Dr Bhutta led a day-long visit to Matiari for the University’s leadership, including Mr Zakir Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AKU, Mr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President, AKU, Dr Carl Amrhein, Provost & Vice President - Academic, Dr Anjum Halai, Vice Provost & Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Dr Adil Haider, Dean, Medical College, Pakistan. Few areas were of strategic priority and interest during the visit, including AKU’s research and training centre in Matiari, taluqa hospital of Matiari, Jiandal Kot union council, Hussain Bhanbhro village, and the Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre, Hyderabad. 

Matiari’s training and research centre is a hub of employing research studies, finding solutions to improve women and child health and nutrition, and improving community outreach through enhancing the lady health worker programme. This centre has also been a source of creating employment opportunities in the local communities especially women. 

Chairman Zakir and President Sulaiman commended the efforts of Dr Bhutta and team in initiating and implementing such immersive and sustainable programmes. The communities, and particularly women and children, have benefitted through improved health outcomes and socioeconomic status. Still, the momentum of these efforts must continue. 

While both IGHD and CoE-WCH are mastering research in different disciplines and varying geographies, the objectives are the same: to uplift the most vulnerable and mirginalised communities  and bridge the gap of socio-economic inequalities. Such programmes and action-oriented research play a significant role in advocating for and informing policies in Pakistan and globally.