​​Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being


472

Number of graduates


435

Number of graduates in
health professions


AKU received extramural grants worth $52.3M during 2024. 

We collaborate across five core areas:

  1. ​Capacity Strengthening – Supporting governments, institutions, and communities to harness data for decision-making.

  2. Digital Public Goods – Co-developing open-source tools tailored to LMIC contexts.

  3. Research and Insights – Generating evidence on the use of data and digital systems in the Global South.

  4. Innovation Pilots – Testing and refining AI and data-driven models to improve service delivery.

  5. Advocacy and Policy Engagement – Shaping global conversations around equitable data innovation and research insights.

​Partnerships at the AKU Data Innovation Office​ and List of Partners​

President Newsletter July 2024

Partnering with Government on Primary Health Care

President Newsletter November 2024​

The Department of Community Health Sciences is collaborating with the public sector to strengthen primary health care services across Pakistan. The two-year initiative will create a consortium of stakeholders under government leadership to exchange best practices, share data and conduct research that can inform programmes and policies. The “Primary Health Care Learning Agenda in Pakistan” project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Supporting Early Child Development in Chitral

The Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan is on its way to establishing more than 50 early childhood care and education centres in hard-to-reach areas of Chitral. Each centre is equipped with toys, books, art supplies and learning aids, and is staffed by a teacher that has received five weeks of training. Funding for the project has been provided by IREAD. Read More

Enhancing Critical Care in KP

As part of the Tele-ICU Project, faculty are working to improve patient care at the 36-bed intensive care unit of Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital in Khyber Paktunkhwa. Simulation-based workshops will be offered for physicians and nurses, and staff from the hospital will spend two months working and learning in the ICU of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. In addition, AKU staff will offer regular teleconsultations to physicians via the Tele-ICU platform, assisting them with challenging cases.​

​Resource Link​

Sports and Rehabilitation Cen​tre​

Sports facilities, including fields, serve multiple purposes such as rehabilitative medicine, specialised athletic training, and hosting community games and tournaments. Sports and Rehabilitation Centre​

Sexual and reproductive health care services for students

In the context of Pakistan, discrete approaches are required when addressing sexual and reproductive health among students. Cultural sensitivities, social norms, and stigma surrounding open discussions of sexuality often make direct engagement difficult.  

Although Student Health (AKU) does not currently offer dedicated reproductive and sexual health services, all students undergo a comprehensive physical examination at the time of pre-enrolment and during subsequent clinical visits. This assessment includes breast examinations along with a review of menstrual history for female students, genital examinations for male students, and screening for reproductive and sexual health–related conditions when clinically indicated for all students.

While pregnancy and infertility-related services are not covered, a considerable number of students present with reproductive health concerns such as menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and related conditions. These cases are appropriately screened, diagnosed, and managed within our facility. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is also conducted where relevant, with referrals made to relevant specialists when further evaluation or management is required.

In addition, we are planning to conduct an awareness session on reproductive and sexual health in collaboration with the Wellness Office soon to promote student education and well-being in this important area.​

Mental health support for students​​

Student counsellors at AKU provide psychological support to students and medical trainees undergoing personal, social or academic challenges, or common mental health concerns including (but not limited to) adjustment issues, stress, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Psychiatric care is also available for students facing more severe mental health problems.​​

Smoke-free campus

AKU is a smoke-free campus since 2001​ - Smoking Limiting Policy​​​

Mental Health Support for Staff​

  • Mental health support for staff is provided through our Office of Employee Health (under Family Medicine) since 1990s. Resource Link

  • A well-being office for employee​s (launched on January 01, 2025) started its operation in 2024. ​ Resource Link​​​​